This PhD research aims to explore the influence of coastal marine dynamics and fluvial transport on the distribution of macroplastics in the Strait of Messina in Southern Italy. The Strait of Messina, in Southern Italy, connects the Tyrrhenian Sea and the Ionian Sea and is an area with one of the largest marine litter densities worldwide. This high accumulation can be attributed to the strong currents in the area and the presence of a particular type of torrential rivers, known as Fiumara, which can transport high amounts of marine litter during flash floods. To achieve this, the research uses a multidisciplinary approach analyzing meteorological data, aerial and UAV (uncrewed aerial vehicles, more commonly known as drone) imagery and deploying a machine-learning algorithm. Using precipitation data and aerial images, I will analyze river discharge in the area and its impact on the distribution of marine litter, while also investigating potential seasonal patterns. The aerial images will provide a broader perspective, enabling spatial analysis of the litter’s distribution. The UAV survey will capture images of plastics, and the machine learning algorithm will be developed to detect plastics from these images. The use of this algorithm will allow for the analysis of large datasets, providing comprehensive results, as well as potential the origins of the plastic litter. During fieldwork, multispectral data was also collected to determine whether it can aid in detecting and classifying different types of litter in our study. In addition to this, I will also explore the similarities between plastics and sediments behavior caused by marine dynamics, seeking to identify any correlation between them. This new approach can be called the sedimentology of plastics. This will also allow to see if the plastic can be used as a marker for sediments.
Luftbilder der Müllansammlung
Orthofoto der Müllansammlung aus UAS-Bildern
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