POSTER SESSION 4

10:30–12:30, Thursday, September 17

Poster Session | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Schedule at a Glance

ABSTRACT 1185 | POSTER 192

A MULTI-PLATFORM OPTICAL AND ACOUSTIC REMOTE SENSING FRAMEWORK FOR PLASTIC DETECTION FROM RIVERS TO COASTAL WATERS

Marine and riverine plastic pollution is a growing environmental concern that requires scalable, multi-sensor approaches for effective detection across aquatic compartments. This contribution presents developments from two complementary initiatives—SSPIRIT and INSPIRE—demonstrating a multi-platform remote sensing approach for detecting and quantifying aquatic litter.

SSPIRIT (From Seabed to Space: Identifying and Quantifying Plastic Litter with Innovative Remote Sensing Technologies, VLAIO) develops a multi-platform observation framework spanning various compartments, from seabed and water column to surface waters, intertidal zones, and riverbanks. It also covers various sizes, from micro- to meso- and macroplastics. The project integrates remote sensing, in situ measurements, and numerical modelling to improve understanding of plastic distribution and transport pathways. By combining optical, hyperspectral, and acoustic sensing approaches, SSPIRIT addresses key limitations of single-platform monitoring.

The remote sensing solutions in INSPIRE (Innovative Solutions for Plastic Free European Rivers, Horizon Europe) focus on operational drone- and bridge-mounted camera monitoring of macrolitter in riverine environments. Drone platforms equipped with high-resolution RGB and multispectral sensors are combined with AI-based image analysis to enable automated detection, classification, and hotspot identification along riverbanks. In addition, a network of 20 bridge-mounted cameras supports continuous monitoring and quantification of floating litter fluxes.

Together, these initiatives demonstrate the value of optical and acoustic remote sensing for plastic detection in the Scheldt River and at the Belgian coast. The developed methodologies are designed for upscaling to other European and global regions, enhancing detection capabilities, supporting model development, and improving the characterization of plastic pollution dynamics in diverse aquatic environments.

Ils Reusen, VITO, [email protected], https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8534-9110

Stefan Livens, VITO, [email protected]

Liesbeth De Keukelaere, VITO, [email protected]

Arne Van Overloop, VITO, [email protected]

Marian-Daniel Iordache, VITO, [email protected]

Thomas Vandorpe, VLIZ, [email protected]

Nore Praet, VLIZ, [email protected]

Carina Lalyer, VLIZ, [email protected]

Xiebe Stiers, VLIZ, [email protected]

Lisa Devriese, VLIZ, [email protected]

Ana Isabel Catarino, VLIZ, [email protected]

Gert Everaert, VLIZ, [email protected]