ORCID
- Thompson, Richard: 0000-0003-2262-6621
Abstract
Sustained observations are required to determine the marine plastic debris mass balance and to support effective policy for planning remedial action. However, observations currently remain scarce at the global scale. A satellite remote sensing system could make a substantial contribution to tackling this problem. Here, we make initial steps towards the potential design of such a remote sensing system by: (1) identifying the properties of marine plastic debris amenable to remote sensing methods and (2) highlighting the oceanic processes relevant to scientific questions about marine plastic debris. Remote sensing approaches are reviewed and matched to the optical properties of marine plastic debris and the relevant spatio-temporal scales of observation to identify challenges and opportunities in the field. Finally, steps needed to develop marine plastic debris detection by remote sensing platforms are proposed in terms of fundamental science as well as linkages to ongoing planning for satellite systems with similar observation requirements.
DOI
10.3390/rs11202443
Publication Date
2019-10-21
Publication Title
Remote Sensing
Volume
11
Issue
20
First Page
2443
Last Page
2443
ISSN
2072-4292
Embargo Period
2021-10-20
Organisational Unit
School of Biological and Marine Sciences
Recommended Citation
Martínez-Vicente, V., Clark, J., Corradi, P., Aliani, S., Arias, M., Bochow, M., Bonnery, G., Cole, M., Cózar, A., Donnelly, R., Echevarría, F., Galgani, F., Garaba, S., Goddijn-Murphy, L., Lebreton, L., Leslie, H., Lindeque, P., Maximenko, N., Martin-Lauzer, F., Moller, D., Murphy, P., Palombi, L., Raimondi, V., Reisser, J., Romero, L., Simis, S., Sterckx, S., Thompson, R., Topouzelis, K., van, S., Veiga, J., & Vethaak, A. (2019) 'Measuring Marine Plastic Debris from Space: Initial Assessment of Observation Requirements', Remote Sensing, 11(20), pp. 2443-2443. Available at: https://doi.org/10.3390/rs11202443
