Most of the plastic that pollutes our oceans comes from an unexpected source: rivers. Strangely enough, research on plastic pollution has been primarily focused on ocean environments – leaving freshwater sources a bit neglected.

Enter a team of innovative scientists from the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, who are turning the tide with their novel research. Published in the journal Nature, the study explores the use of remote sensing technology to monitor and remove plastic debris from rivers like the Mississippi.

Image: Brian Yurasits, Unsplash