Surveying the marine environment for plastic pollution using a novel, hyperspectral infrared camera on a UAV (revised)
To support remote sensing and quantification of plastic pollution in the marine environment, I have deployed a hyperspectral short-wave infrared (SWIR) camera on aerial platforms to detect shoreline plastic debris based on its characteristic spectral features. A variety of plastic types, terrains, and cloud conditions have been considered in the evaluation of this novel methodology (revised).
Supervisors
Prof Finlo Cottier, SAMS
Professor Bhavani Narayanaswamy, SAMS
Dr Claire Waluda, British Antarctic Survey
Funder
NERC funded NEXUSS studentship
University
University of the Highlands and Islands
Project duration
October 2017 - June 2021
Peer-reviewed publications
Cocking, J., Narayanaswamy, B.E., Waluda, C.M. and Williamson, B.J., 2022. Aerial detection of beached marine plastic using a novel, hyperspectral short-wave infrared (SWIR) camera. ICES Journal of Marine Science, fsac006, https://doi.org/10.1093/icesjms/fsac006
van Lanen, D., Cocking, J., Walker, S.B., Fowler, M., Fraser, R., Young, S.B., Ahmadi, L., Thai, A., Yeung, J. and Yip, A. (2015) Economic and environmental analysis of a green energy hub with energy storage under fixed and variable pricing structures. Int. J. Process Systems Engineering, Vol. 3, Nos. 1/2/3, pp.158–180
Fieldwork experience
Arctic research -- Ny-Ålesund, Svalbard, August 2019
Boat-based drone piloting and image capture of glaciers to support colleagues' research
Arctic research cruise -- Svalbard, August 2018
10 days aboard R/V Helmer Hanssen. Drone piloting and image capture of shoreline plastic debris
The Rozalia Project, STEM for the Ocean Expedition 2016 – Gulf of Maine, 14 days
Volunteer scientist: marine debris remediation and research, student education
Teaching experience
Feb-March 2018, Teaching Assistant BSc Marine Science
H1 Mathematics and Statistics, Scottish Association for Marine Science, Oban, UK
Instructor: Dr. Thomas Adams
Sept - Dec 2010, Teaching Assistant
Chemical Engineering Concepts 1 (CHE 100), University of Waterloo, ON, Canada
Instructor: Dr. Christine Moresoli
Sept - Dec 2010, Teaching Assistant
Chemistry for Engineers (CHE 102), University of Waterloo, ON, Canada
Instructor: Dr. Joao. Soares
Jan - Apr 2010, Teaching Assistant
Grade 12 Chemistry, University (SCH 4U1), Port Perry High School, ON, Canada
Instructor: Rebecca Brownson
Professional memberships
Association of Polar Early Career Scientists (APECS): since 2018
Scottish Alliance for Geoscience, Environment and Society (SAGES): since 2018
Professional training courses
STCW 95 Basic Sea Survival. Fish Industry Training Association, Oban, UK. March 2018
NEXUSS Focused Module: Sensors and Platforms. University of Southampton and National Oceanography Centre, Southampton, UK. Dec 2017
SSI Open Water Diver SCUBA. Certification, East Coast Divers, Brookline, MA, USA. July 2017
SaChE Inherently Safer Design, Safety and Chemical Engineering Education Program. University of Waterloo, ON, Canada. March 2011
Employment history
Jul - Sep 2017 Product Development Engineer II. Ambri Inc. Cambridge, MA. USA
Jan 2015 - Jul 2017 Supply Chain Engineer, New Product Development. Ambri Inc. Cambridge, MA. USA
Aug - Oct 2014 Development Engineer (contract). Eos Energy Storage. Edison, NJ. USA
May - Aug 2013 Material Characterization Engineering Intern. Ambri Inc. Cambridge, MA. USA
Sep - Dec 2012 Cell Testing Engineering Intern. Ambri Inc. Cambridge, MA. USA
Jan-Apr 2012 Metallurgical Lab Research Assistant. Kingston Process Metallurgy. Kingston, ON. Canada
May-Aug 2011 Pulse Radiolysis and Lab Assistant. Atomic Energy of Canada Limited. Chalk River, ON. Canada
Qualifications
2014 BASc Honours Chemical Engineering. University of Waterloo