On the Feasibility of Using Passive mm-Wave Imaging for Marine Litter Detection at the W-band

Large research effort is appearing in the literature on remote detection of plastic marine litter, using optical instruments, and lately microwaves. We present here a feasibility study of passive mm-wave imaging (PMMWI) for the same goal. Several measurements were taken in a controlled pool environment both in static and agitated water conditions using a W-band radiometer to assess the influence of plastic on the radiometric response. Different sized plastic bottles and concentrations were studied to verify its influence on the results provided by the radiometer. For each measurement, references of still water were taken to correct eventual errors due to equipment drifts in terms of gain and noise. Preliminary results show that it is possible to detect differences in the radiometers output voltage when plastic is present or the water is agitated or both and, thus, PMMW imaging seems to be a promising technology for remote detection of floating plastics.