Student information

MSc thesis topic: Spotting Plastic Hotspots in Rivers from Space

Plastic pollution is an emerging contaminant threatening terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. Most land-based plastic waste never reaches the ocean, and accumulates within rivers systems. Where, how much, and how long remains unknown. This thesis will explore the use of satellite remote sensing to detect and monitor plastic accumulation zones in rivers.

You will contribute to an ongoing project to develop methods to detect and monitor plastic pollution from space. In this thesis you will design a calibration target experiment to test several detection algorithms using Sentinel-2 and PlanetScope imagery.

Relevance to research/projects at GRS or other groups

  • This thesis is supervised by Tim van Emmerik (HWM) and Marc Rußwurm (GRS). Collaboration with other experts within and outside WUR will be encouraged.

Objectives

  • Develop a calibration target experiment under varying environmental conditions to test the minimum detectable plastic concentration at the river surface and on riverbanks;
  • Test various detection algorithms and available (multispectral) remote sensing products;
  • Field validation of the best performing detection algorithm to an actual river system.

Requirements

  • Required: experience in remote sensing data analysis (e.g. remote sensing software, spectral analysis, indices);
  • Optional: affinity with fieldwork (in and around rivers)
  • Optional: interest in (plastic) pollution

Expected reading list before starting the thesis research

  • van Emmerik, T., et al. (2022). Rivers as plastic reservoirs. Frontiers in Water, 3, 786936.
  • Tasseron, P., et al. (2021). Advancing floating macroplastic detection from space using experimental hyperspectral imagery. Remote Sensing, 13(12), 2335.
  • Topouzelis, K., et al. (2020). Remote sensing of sea surface artificial floating plastic targets with Sentinel-2 and unmanned aerial systems (plastic litter project 2019). Remote Sensing, 12(12), 2013.

Theme(s): Sensing & measuring