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Description
It is estimated that at least 5 million tons of waste are dumped into the Oceans every year, most of it (80%) originated in cities, as a result of a poor solid waste management. Unlike organic materials, plastic never "disappears" in nature and accumulates in the environment, mainly in the oceans. Sunlight, salt water and waves fragment plastics into ever smaller pieces. This type of material is one of the main pollutants of the oceans.Several researches point out the pollution generated by microplastics as one of the main risk factors to health. Among the problems related to intoxication by persistent organic pollutants (POPs), are several types of hormonal, immunological, neurological and reproductive dysfunctions. Similarly, plastics can contain bisphenols, which are known as endocrine disruptors very harmful to the health of the environment and humans. This project will improve the quality of life of marine species and the cleaning of the oceans, since it aims to remove waste from them, more precisely by removing plastic and itsderivatives, listing mechanisms based on software to enhance and leverage the discovery and processing of the location and size of waste accumulations. In other words, the solutionincludes:1 - Integration and processing of satellite images;2 - Development of algorithms for the detection of types of plastic in the oceans;3 - Generation of operational reports and optimized waste collection routes;4 - Reduction of ocean pollution and consequent contribution to the United Nations Sustainable Development Indicators, namely regarding Objective 14 - "Protect marine life".
Summary of project results
An estimated 1.15 to 2.41 million tonnes of plastic reach the oceans every year, mainly from rivers. More than half of this plastic is less dense than water, which means that it doesn''t sink when it''s in the water. Once these plastics reach the sea, they can''t get out without degrading into microplastics that increase the spread of rubbish in the ocean.This project is based on the removal of rubbish in the oceans, more precisely the removal of plastic and its derivatives. At the moment, there are several initiatives focussing on this area, such as the Plastic Bank, which aims to remove all plastic from the ocean and is working with IBM and LinuxONE on a blockchain mechanism to incentivise people to donate on a blockchain mechanism to encourage people to recycle more responsibly, thereby reducing the amount of plastic that reaches the oceans. In addition, the latest literature points to the growing capacity and platforms with algorithms that can observe and catalogue the objects present in the oceans, differentiating them from plastic in the oceans, differentiating them from phytoplankton and other species that are important to the oceans. This literature is extremely important for understanding the maritime ecosystem and speeding up algorithm development processes.
The WOSUP project was conceived to address urgent challenges related to marine pollution, specifically the accumulation of plastic waste in the oceans. The main problems the project aimed to tackle included the lack of accurate and up-to-date data on the distribution and quantity of marine litter, the inefficiency in collecting and managing such waste, and the need to promote awareness and cooperation among entities involved in oceancleanup.Within the project scope, a series of activities were developed to address these challenges:1. Technical project management: General technical management actions were carried out to coordinate and administer all project activities, including resource management, risk management, and coordination with involved entities.2. Development of integrations with data sources: Data sources such as satellite images, drone images, and information from maritime probes were integrated into an ocean monitoring platform. This integration allowed for efficient real-time monitoring of marine pollution.3. Definition and development of image analysis algorithms: Algorithms capable of analyzing images from different sources (satellites, drones, and maritime probes) were developed to detect and categorize marine litter, enabling precise identification of pollution location and type.4. Development of an application for vessels: An application was created to allow vessels involved in marine waste collection to maximize the efficiency of their operations, optimizing collection routes and promoting revenue sharing among involved entities.5. Pilot testing in a controlled environment: A pilot test was conducted in an aquaculture tank to evaluate the effectiveness of the solution under simulated oceanic conditions, allowing for a detailed analysis of the platform and algorithms'' behavior in a controlled environment.
The main results achieved by the project include:1. Improved monitoring and detection of marine litter: The developed platform enabled more precise real-time monitoring of marine pollution, providing essential data for decision-making and cleanup actions.2. Increased efficiency in waste collection: Data integrations and developed algorithms facilitated the optimization of collection routes, increasing the efficiency of cleanup operations and reducing associated costs.3. Promotion of cooperation among entities: The developed application encouraged cooperation among different entities involved in ocean cleanup, promoting resource sharing to maximize the impact of collection operations.4. Public awareness: Project dissemination at events and on social networks contributed to raising awareness about marine pollution and the importance of its mitigation.The importance of the project lies in its ability to address one of the greatest environmental challenges of our time - ocean pollution by plastic waste. By improving the monitoring, collection, and management of these wastes, the WOSUP project directly benefits the marine environment and contributes to preserving marine biodiversity and the sustainability of human activities dependent on the oceans. Furthermore, by promoting cooperation among different entities and raising public awareness about marine pollution, the project establishes a solid foundation forfuture actions and long-term behavioural change regarding the use and disposal of plastics.