The Use of Mini-Drifters in Coastal Current Measurements Conducted Concurrently with Satellite Imaging

Lavrova, Olga; Soloviev, Dmitry M.; Strochkov, Alexey Ya.; Nazirova, Ksenia R.; Krayushkin, E.V.; Zhuk, Elena

doi:10.1134/s0001433820090157

Cited by 3 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 19 publications

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“…They are very helpful for calibration and validation of particle-tracking models [ 34 , 42 ], and they can be crucial for understanding the different effect of wind, waves, and currents on the floating objects with respect to their characteristics and shapes, resulting in different buoyancy ratios and response to wind drag [ 42 , 118 ] and current advection, thus ultimately influencing their dispersion [ 119 ], distribution, and residence time in the seawater or beaching and reflow events [ 120 ]. Other previous studies highlight how the use of low-cost, mobile phone-based drifters, easily implemented and adapted to different environmental conditions, can be a good solution for experiments in coastal areas ([ 104 , 121 , 122 , 123 , 124 ] among many others). For the time being, though, we have not found among them any type of drifter equipped with all the features that our MLTs present: customized tracking system with data logging, adaptability to different types of media, and autonomous charging system, all integrated.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Marine Litter Tracking System: A Case Study with Open-Source Technology and a Citizen Science-Based Approach

Merlino

Locritani

Guarnieri

et al. 2023

Sensors

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It is well established that most of the plastic pollution found in the oceans is transported via rivers. Unfortunately, the main processes contributing to plastic and debris displacement through riparian systems is still poorly understood. The Marine Litter Drifter project from the Arno River aims at using modern consumer software and hardware technologies to track the movements of real anthropogenic marine debris (AMD) from rivers. The innovative “Marine Litter Trackers” (MLT) were utilized as they are reliable, robust, self-powered and they present almost no maintenance costs. Furthermore, they can be built not only by those trained in the field but also by those with no specific expertise, including high school students, simply by following the instructions. Five dispersion experiments were successfully conducted from April 2021 to December 2021, using different types of trackers in different seasons and weather conditions. The maximum distance tracked was 2845 km for a period of 94 days. The activity at sea was integrated by use of Lagrangian numerical models that also assisted in planning the deployments and the recovery of drifters. The observed tracking data in turn were used for calibration and validation, recursively improving their quality. The dynamics of marine litter (ML) dispersion in the Tyrrhenian Sea is also discussed, along with the potential for open-source approaches including the “citizen science” perspective for both improving big data collection and educating/awareness-raising on AMD issues.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Marine Litter Tracking System: A Case Study with Open-Source Technology and a Citizen Science-Based Approach

Merlino

Locritani

Guarnieri

et al. 2023

Sensors

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…The cost of MLTs is particularly low (some tens of euros) and they are especially suitable for monitoring marine litter discharged from rivers into the sea, which normally follows paths close to the coastline. Among the innovations introduced with MLTs, compared to other similar systems previously tested [ 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 ], is the ability to record data so that, when connected to the GSM/LoRa network, data tracked offline can also be sent. Another key feature of these devices is that they are completely energy independent, with virtually unlimited autonomy, thanks to an appropriate onboard photovoltaic system, which is very small in size due to the very low power consumption of MLTs.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Smart Drifter Cluster: Monitoring Sea Currents and Marine Litter Transport Using Consumer IoT Technologies

Merlino

Calabrò²,

Giannelli

et al. 2023

Sensors

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The study of marine Lagrangian transport holds significant importance from a scientific perspective as well as for practical applications such as environmental-pollution responses and prevention (e.g., oil spills, dispersion/accumulation of plastic debris, etc.). In this regard, this concept paper introduces the Smart Drifter Cluster: an innovative approach that leverages modern “consumer” IoT technologies and notions. This approach enables the remote acquisition of information on Lagrangian transport and important ocean variables, similar to standard drifters. However, it offers potential benefits such as reduced hardware costs, minimal maintenance expenses, and significantly lower power consumption compared to systems relying on independent drifters with satellite communication. By combining low power consumption with an optimized, compact integrated marine photovoltaic system, the drifters achieve unlimited operational autonomy. With the introduction of these new characteristics, the Smart Drifter Cluster goes beyond its primary function of mesoscale monitoring of marine currents. It becomes readily applicable to numerous civil applications, including recovering individuals and materials at sea, addressing pollutant spills, and tracking the dispersion of marine litter. An additional advantage of this remote monitoring and sensing system is its open-source hardware and software architecture. This fosters a citizen-science approach, enabling citizens to replicate, utilize, and contribute to the improvement of the system. Thus, within certain constraints of procedures and protocols, citizens can actively contribute to the generation of valuable data in this critical field.

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Monitoring Sea Current and Marine litter Transport using a low cost approaches

Bianucci

Merlino

Locritani

et al. 2022

2022 IEEE International Workshop on Metrology for the Sea; Learning to Measure Sea Health Parameters (MetroSea)

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The Use of Mini-Drifters in Coastal Current Measurements Conducted Concurrently with Satellite Imaging

Cited by 3 publications

References 19 publications

Marine Litter Tracking System: A Case Study with Open-Source Technology and a Citizen Science-Based Approach

Marine Litter Tracking System: A Case Study with Open-Source Technology and a Citizen Science-Based Approach

The Smart Drifter Cluster: Monitoring Sea Currents and Marine Litter Transport Using Consumer IoT Technologies

Monitoring Sea Current and Marine litter Transport using a low cost approaches

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