MONITORING AND MANAGEMENT OF PLASTIC MARINE LITTER IN EGYPTIAN NORTHERN COASTAL AREAS USING NEW TECHNIQUES

Abstract

using the GNOME and trajectory. Another monitoring technique Marine litter (ML) has recently become one of the most global prevalent pollution problems adversely affecting waterways. Litter makes its way into the water bodies as a result of disasters, accidents, mishandling, or oversight events. Minimizing the negative impacts of ML on marine ecosystems, biodiversity, human health, and the economy become a worldwide crucial need. However, an integrated system for monitoring and assessment of ML abundance in marine and coastal environments is still required to enhance existing policies and management practices. This study aimed to examine an integrated science-based methodology for monitoring and assessment of macro-litter on the shoreline, and at the sea surface of El-Shatby beach, Alexandria Governorate as a pilot Egyptian Northern site. Quantitative measurements of ML were implemented using UNEP/MAP metadata through four years of beach-fieldwork surveys. ML quantities, materials, and main sources were identified to support the simulation of their possible fate Oil Modeling Environment (GNOME) software was the additional target of this study. For simulating ML’s possible trajectory hypothetical release of ML from El-Shatby beach was simulated was Optical spectral of Sentinel-2 (S2), and Planetscope (PS) images that were examined using a combination of different spectral bands with several indices, and verified by the pixel-value classification method of S2 images. Moreover, microwave remote sensing (SAR) was examined to add more information to the optical study. Exploring the vulnerability of coastal resources to ML using General National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Operational model through three windage classes during wet and dry periods.