Recent advancements in satellite technology are enabling scientists from the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology in Australia to identify plastic accumulation on beaches. This innovative approach utilizes satellite imagery from WorldView-3 to develop a new spectral index that distinguishes between the light reflected by sand, water, and plastic waste.
The researchers tested their Plastic Debris Index (BPDI) and successfully detected plastic deposits from over 600 kilometers above the Earth's surface, even in remote and uninhabited areas. The study published in the Marine Pollution Bulletin highlights the tool's ability to identify potential risk areas with a higher accuracy rate than existing methods.
With an estimated 10 million tons of plastic waste entering the oceans annually, this technology aims to assist cleanup teams in preventing marine pollution, which threatens wildlife, including sea turtles. The initiative also seeks to curb the formation of micro and nanoplastics in coastal regions.
As coastal authorities work on recycling programs and biodegradable materials, this satellite-based detection method represents a significant step forward in addressing ocean pollution.