Author(s): Manousos Valyrakis; Da Liu; Xi Yu; Antonija Harasti And Gordon Gilja
Linked Author(s): Manousos Valyrakis
Keywords: Uncrewed aerial vehicles drones plastic debris river systems entrainment transport efficiency
Abstract: This preliminary study aims to demonstrate the assessment of transport dynamics of floating macro-plastics in fluvial systems using drone-based monitoring techniques. Dedicated flume experiments allowed to examine how different riparian zone characteristics influence the transport and trapping of floating plastics. A DJI Mini 3 drone equipped with a 12-megapixel camera was utilized to capture high-resolution aerial imagery of the transport processes of small plastic debris. The experiments assessed the impact of vegetation density and release location on plastic transport velocities and trapping probabilities. The overarching goal of the study is to highlight the potential of drone-based technologies for monitoring plastic pollution in rivers and aims to inform cost-effective and practical management strategies for reducing plastic pollution in fluvial systems.
Year: 2025