Monitoring macroplastics in aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems: Expert survey reveals visual and drone-based census as most effective techniques
Year: 2024
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Anthropogenic litter, such as plastic, is investigated by the global scientific community from various fields employing diverse techniques. The goal is to assess and finally mitigate the pollutants' impacts on the natural environment. Plastic litter can accumulate in different matrices of aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems, impacting both biota and ecosystem functioning. Detection and quantification of macroplastics, and other litter, can be realized by jointly using visual census and remote sensing techniques. The primary objective of this research was to identify the most effective approach for monitoring macroplastic litter in riverine and marine environments through a comprehensive survey based on the experiences of the scientific community. Researchers involved in plastic pollution evaluated four litter occurrence and flux investigation methods (visual census, drone-based surveys, satellite imagery, and GPS/GNSS trackers) through a questionnaire. Traditional visual census and drone deployment were deemed as the most popular approaches among the 46 surveyed researchers, while satellite imagery and GPS/GNSS trackers received lower scores due to limited field validation and short performance ranges, respectively. On a scale from 0 to 5, visual census and drone-based surveys obtained 3.5 and 2.0, respectively, whereas satellite imagery and alternative solutions received scores lower than 1.2. Visual and drone censuses were used in high, medium and low-income countries, while satellite census and GPS/GNSS trackers were mostly used in high-income countries. This work provides an overview of the advantages and drawbacks of litter investigation techniques, contributing i) to the global harmonization of macroplastic litter monitoring and ii) providing a starting point for researchers and water managers approaching this topic. This work supports the selection and design of reliable and cost-effective monitoring approaches to mitigate the ambiguity in macroplastic data collection, contributing to the global harmonization of macroplastic litter monitoring protocols.
Authors: L. Gallitelli, P. Girard, U. Andriolo, M. Liro, G. Suaria, C. Martin, A.L. Lusher, K. Hancke, MCM Blettler, O. Garcia-Garin, I.E. Napper, L. Corbari, A. Cózar, C. Morales-Caselles, D. González-Fernández, J. Gasperi, T. Giarrizzo, G. Cesarini, K. De, M. Constant, P. Koutalakis, G. Gonçalves, P. Sharma, S. Gundogdu, R. Kumar, N.A. Garello, A.L.G. Camargo, K. Topouzelis, F. Galgani, S.J. Royer, G.N. Zaimes, F. Rotta, S. Lavender, V. Nava, J. Castro-Jiménez, T. Mani, R. Crosti, V.M. Azevedo-Santos, F. Bessa, R. Tramoy, M.F. Costa, C. Corbau, A. Montanari, C. Battisti, M. Scalici
Institutions: Roma Tre University, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso, Institute for Systems Engineering and Computers, ETH Zurich, Institute of Nature Conservation, Institute for Atmospheric and Climate Science, Polish Academy of Sciences, Istituto di Scienze Marine del Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, National Research Council, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Norwegian Institute for Water Research, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Instituto Nacional de Limnología, Institut de Recerca de la Biodiversitat de la Universitat de Barcelona, Universitat de Barcelona, University of Plymouth, University of Palermo, Universidad de Cádiz, Université Gustave Eiffel, Universidade Federal do Ceará, Water Research Institute, National Institute of Oceanography, Institut Mines-Télécom, Université de Lille, JUNIA, Laboratoire de Génie Civil et Géo-Environnement, International Hellenic University, University of Coimbra, Nagaland University, Cukurova University, Auburn University, University of the Aegean, The Ocean Cleanup, Democritus University of Thrace, University of Applied Sciences and Arts of Southern Switzerland, University of Pavia, University of Milano-Bicocca, Ifremer, Istituto Superiore per la Protezione e la Ricerca Ambientale, Laboratório Associado TERRA, Université Paris-Est Créteil, Laboratoire Eau, Environnement et Systèmes Urbains, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, University of Ferrara, University of Bologna
Language: English
Subfield: Pollution
Field: Environmental Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $3,990
Funders: Dipartimenti di Eccellenza, European Commission, Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico, Narodowym Centrum Nauki, Fundação Cearense de Apoio ao Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico, Norges Forskningsråd, Ministero dell'Università e della Ricerca, Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia, Horizon 2020, European Regional Development Fund
Awards: G1167214205, G1297482482, G1384181827, G1444713645, G1451714555, G1578237752, G1593270403, G2350437448, G2642799034, G2652307588, G3891694003, G434337789, G491858407, G4979782808, New Approach to Underwater Technologies for Innovative, Low-cost Ocean obServation, G5454278309, G554138207, G561176504, Mapeamento do lixo marinho com drones low-cost, G58948387, G6033132427, G6560002422, G6727143377, G6997658380, G7149797393, G7157178837, INSTITUTO DE ENGENHARIA DE SISTEMAS E COMPUTADORES DE COIMBRA - INESC COIMBRA, EUROpean quality Controlled Harmonization Assuring Reproducible Monitoring and assessment of plastic pollution, G8628551500, G8994533960
OpenAlex ID: W4402829232