System for detecting plastics, macro-plastics, micro-plastics, and nano-plastics in a maritime, estuatry, or river environment

A method for operating a system for detecting plastics, macro-plastics, micro-plastics and nano-plastics in a maritime, estuary or river environment, the method comprising:

• detecting, by a plurality of detection devices, plastics, the macro-plastics, the micro-plastics and the nano-plastics in an environment, wherein the detection devices use different detection wavelengths;
• receiving, by a communication interface, detection signals from the plurality of detection devices;
• and
• determining, by a processor, locations of the plastics, the macro-plastics, the micro-plastics and the nano-plastics in the environment based at least in part on the received detection signals within a common coordinate system.

An apparatus for detecting plastics, macro-plastics, micro-plastics, and nano-plastics in a maritime, estuary, or river environment, comprising:

• a processor;
• and
• a memory communicatively coupled with the processor, wherein the memory stores computer-readable program code that, when executed by the processor, causes the processor to:
• receive detection signals from a plurality of detection devices, the plurality of detection devices using different detection wavelengths;
• determine, based at least in part on the received detection signals, locations of the plastics, the macro-plastics, the micro-plastics, and the nano-plastics in the environment;
• and
• identify and classify the detected plastics based at least in part on the received detection signals.