Would any remote sensing techniques be able to map such clusters over large ocean surface regions?
Victor,
My guess is that a potential remote sensing imaging system to 'perhaps' be able to detect clusters of plastic particles may be a RADAR imaging system. The back scatter return of an imaging radar is affected by several surface characteristics that could help, with the more important in for your application is 'roughness and texture' compared to the surrounding water. However, a big issue is going to be the spatial resolution that will be needed to allow you to see the clusters of plastic --- how big of a spatial area would you expect the plastic to cover? There have been (and are) some satellite borne radar imaging systems, but I am not sure that they have the spatial resolution that you will need.
Perhaps a good experiment to try is to use an airborne (vs satellite borne) radar imaging system with VERY HIGH spatial resolution in a near coastal area with plastic in the water. The image could be used to digitally compress to various lower and lower spatial resolutions to see when can you no longer see the plastic. This would help identify the resolution that would be needed. Of course, another thing that would need to be investigate is the frequency of the radar that is best (e.g., C, X, or L band).
Pat
A genuine answer for this as on date is "NO. Not Possible". Theoretical "Yes" just to prove a case would be talking about very high resolution, microwave imaging etc.
Works on Oil Spills are abundant and this was possible, not only by wavelengths employed, but due their spatially large area coverage / presence. If we talk about a cluster which is around 100 Sq.mt or above, visible on the surface, some insights can be worked out with RS techniques.
http://www.ilvo.vlaanderen.be/micro/EN/AboutMICRO/Introduction/tabid/6594/Default.aspx
Hi Victor, The MICRO group from IFREMER working on microplastics in the oceans might be a good oppotunity to discuss that mapping issue.
note: you'll have to "copy" the link in your internet browser. RG will not allow you to clic on the link.
Regards, Remi
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