Detecting Plastic Pollution in Aquatic Environment Using Remote Sensing Technology: Cost-Saving Method in Pollution and Risk Management for Developing Countries

Authors

  • Innocent Mugudamani

    Department of Civil Engineering, Centre for Sustainable Smart Cities, Faculty of Engineering Built Environment and Information Technology, Central University of Technology Free State, Bloemfontein 9301, South Africa
  • Saheed Adeyinka Oke

    1. Department of Civil Engineering, Centre for Sustainable Smart Cities, Faculty of Engineering Built Environment and Information Technology, Central University of Technology Free State, Bloemfontein 9301, South Africa; 2. Department of Engineering, Faculty of Science, Applied Science & Engineering, University of New Brunswick Saint John E2L 4L5, Canada
  • Hassan Ikrema

    Department of Engineering, Faculty of Science, Applied Science & Engineering, University of New Brunswick Saint John E2L 4L5, Canada

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.30564/jees.v7i6.9315
Received: 2 April 2025 | Revised: 24 April 2025 | Accepted: 28 April 2025 | Published Online: 12 June 2025

Abstract

One of the crucial elements that is directly tied to the quality of living organisms is the quality of the water. However, water quality has been adversely affected by plastic pollution, a global environmental disaster that has an effect on aquatic life, wildlife, and human health. To prevent these effects, better monitoring, detection, characterisation, quantification, and tracking of aquatic plastic pollution at regional and global scales is urgently needed. Remote sensing technology is regarded as a useful technique, as it offers a promising new and less labour-intensive tool for the detection, quantification, and characterisation of aquatic plastic pollution. The study seeks to supplement to the body of scientific literature by compiling original data on the monitoring of plastic pollution in aquatic environments using remote sensing technology, which can function as a cost saving method for water pollution and risk management in developing nations. This article provides a profound analysis of plastic pollution, including its categories, sources, distribution, chemical properties, and potential risks. It also provides an in-depth review of remote sensing technologies, satellite-derived indices, and research trends related to their applicability. Additionally, the study clarifies the difficulties in using remote sensing technologies for aquatic plastic monitoring and practical ways to reduce aquatic plastic pollution. The study will improve the understanding of aquatic plastic pollution, health hazards, and the suitability of remote sensing technology for aquatic plastic contamination monitoring studies among researchers and interested parties.

Keywords:

Remote Sensing; Plastic Pollution; Water Sources; Micro-and Macro-Plastics; Aquatic Environment; Risk Management

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Mugudamani, I., Oke, S. A., & Ikrema, H. (2025). Detecting Plastic Pollution in Aquatic Environment Using Remote Sensing Technology: Cost-Saving Method in Pollution and Risk Management for Developing Countries. Journal of Environmental & Earth Sciences, 7(6), 395–413. https://doi.org/10.30564/jees.v7i6.9315

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Vol. 7 , Iss. 6 (June 2025)

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Copyright © 2025 Innocent Mugudamani, Saheed Adeyinka Oke, Hassan Ikrema

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This is an open access article under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0) License.

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