Coastal Water Pollution Characterization: Enhanced Situational Awareness Through Multiscale Data Acquisition and Analysis

Detecting and managing coastal water pollution is crucial for preserving ecological functions and ecosystem services. However, it is challenging due to the complex nature of the coastal environment, large spatio-temporal scales, and high operational costs. To improve situational awareness, this study used a top-down approach, integrating multi-spectral data from satellites and drones with different resolutions. By combining these data sources, the researchers obtained complementary results and were able to focus on the same phenomenon from multiple perspectives. The study successfully applied this approach to monitor a polluted water plume in the Domitia coast, Italy, originating from wastewater plants and illicit discharges. The results confirmed the effectiveness of the proposed method in assessing water quality and increasing situational awareness in coastal areas. Implementing this approach can aid in the proper management of water resources.