University of Minnesota researchers have developed a remote sensing method to monitor plastic debris in freshwater environments, addressing a critical gap in environmental monitoring capabilities. The research, published in Nature, presents a cost-effective approach to tracking plastic pollution in rivers and lakes. The Problem at Hand While ocean plastic pollution receives substantial attention, freshwater plastic contamination remains understudied despite rivers being primary conduits for plastic waste entering oceans. Traditional monitoring methods, requiring extensive manual sampling, have proven expensive and time-consuming. Technical Innovation The research team, led by PhD student Mohammadali Olyaei, combined spectroradiometer technology with DSLR cameras to identify plastic … Continue reading Remote Sensing Innovation Tracks Plastic Pollution in Freshwaters