Marine debris seems to collect in ocean convergence zones, such as the North Pacific Subtropical Convergence Zone. Assuming that one can map these convergence zones using satellite remote sensing, what would be a cost-effective way to check whether they contain marine debris? Can high concentrations of plastic waste in the ocean be detected remotely?
We have tried various satellite images, but most of the debris is too small to be identified. We deployed several large net bundles (several m across), and these could be seen in high resolution satellite images, but you would not know what they were just from the images. The answer to your question seems to be to send an aircraft out to the convergence zones to look.
Victor,
There is many examples of use spaceborne and airborne in detecting marine debris flow. We can use InSAR and PSInSAR techniques to detect debris. At present UAVSAR becoming very popular (see article http://coplare.net/app/download/5779320528/2011_GENERAL_NASA_At-sea-detection-of-marine-debris.pdf).
Zbigniew
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