CAMPUS:
San Diego State University
COHORT LEVEL
Cohort-1 (2022)
ACADEMIC LEVEL
Masters (M.S.)
Research Title
Mapping plastic in an urban coastal watershed using field surveys, spectral signatures, and multispectral remote sensing
Cohort : 1
Level: Masters
Graduation Date: December 2023
Campus: San Diego State University
Biography
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Elena was a NOAA EPP/MSI Earth System Sciences and Remote Sensing-II Scholar in Cohort 1 at the San Diego State University. She is received her master’s degree in Watershed Sciences (focus on Geography). Her research is on Mapping plastic in an urban coastal watershed using field surveys, spectral signatures, and multispectral remote sensing
Research
Mapping plastic in an urban coastal watershed using field surveys, spectral signatures, and multispectral remote sensing
Maps of urban plastic footprints can document housing quality, urbanization patterns, and unmanaged waste. Some plastic polymers can be identified by shortwave infrared (SWIR) absorption features, but multispectral sensors with broad SWIR bands are generally unable to resolve them. Synthesizing fieldwork, laboratory spectroscopy, and satellite image analysis, we mapped plastic materials in a complex urban watershed on the coastal US-Mexico border. Consistent quantitative and qualitative agreement among mutually complementary lines of evidence suggests common plastics can be distinguished from other materials using WV3 SWIR reflectance.
Academic Mentor: Trent Biggs Ph.D.
NOAA Mentor: Amy Uhrin, Ph.D. (NOAA Office of Response and Restoration)
NERTO
NERTO Title: Remote sensing of plastic materials and anthropogenic debris in stream channels
Year: 2022
NERTO Mentor: Amy Uhrin Ph.D. (Office of Response and Restoration, Marine Debris Division)
NERTO Location: NOAA, Office of Response and Restoration,