A new system for the localization of macro, meso and microplastics at sea using remote and proximity platforms, for subsequent recovery and recycling. This is the objective of Sirimap, an acronym for Systems for the Detection of Marine Pollution from Plastics and subsequent recovery-recycling, a project led by the Aerospace District of the Campania DAC.
The realization was possible thanks to an industrial research and development activity worth 6.6 million euros which also focuses on sampling systems, methodologies for in situ and laboratory analysis of plastics and the development of appropriate recovery and recycling strategies.
The Mediterranean Sea, recently identified as a region of accumulation of plastic debris, could also benefit from Sirimap's activity. "In this scenario, SIRIMAP represents a strategic proposal for the "Blue Growth" area of specialization," explained Rino Russo, Project Manager of the project - and in line with the development guidelines defined at global, European and national level.
Mapping the polluting capacity of plastic islands (so-called “plasticvortex”) present in the seas is the greatest challenge considering that microplastics enter the food chain of animal species and reach humans”. Carrino then highlights how important it is to generate opportunities, the meeting between companies and research centers “We really need to have a backbone for the development of this region in manufacturing; certainly aerospace is this backbone and we must support it.
We have a lot of talent in this region, we have excellent companies and we need to leverage this to ensure a future for the region and for the young people of this region of the country”. Campania plays an important role in the national aeronautical supply chain.
This can be seen from the significant weight of the area in terms of added value, exports, local units and employees, which on average is around 20. The sector's weight on the manufacturing industry is also significant, 8,4% in terms of added value and 5,6% in terms of exports, values higher than those of the South and especially national ones, which highlight the greater specialization of the region in aeronautical production.
Michelangelo Giuliani, of the Caltec/OMI consortium, together with his staff has created a remotely piloted convertiplane for sampling in the detailed analysis of microplastics in the sea: “The project foresees a major integration between remote and orbital analyses of surfaces up to laboratory analyses.
We place ourselves in the middle of the analysis obtained through a more detailed image, both by releasing sensors the size of a kiwi in strategic areas previously identified by the satellite, and by observing the bodies of water at closer distances with suitable sensors to detect fluctuations and possible trends of the polluted fault, understood as the dispersion of material that could, due to wave motion, cover surfaces that are not easily reachable from orbital distance”.
The main innovation, according to Giuliani, could be that of "having a great autonomy both in terms of speed and distances that can be covered both in terms of hours and with a wandering load divided into 5 kg of fixed sensor that remains on board for multispectral or hyperspectral images and 10 kg that can be scattered in the area of interest. This makes it possible to have a clear and direct vision in the field that integrates the data obtained from the satellite and also provides support for what is then the subsequent post process in the laboratory".
The Universities of Brescia and Molise and the IREOS company participate in the project as partners; furthermore, the ISASI, ICAR, IAS and IPCB institutes of the CNR, the Parthenope University of Naples and the MAPSAT and Officine Meccaniche Irpine companies participate as implementing members of the DAC.
Article published on May 24, 2022 - 19:34 pm
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