HomeInnovatusvol. 5 no. 2 (2022)

A Call for Digital Transformation in the Marine Environmental Protection Sector: A case for marine plastic litter pollution monitoring

Ian Dominic F. Tabañag | Merryl Lynch G. Mendoza | Almayra M. Samimi | Marc Yondell S. Saba | Paul Samuel P. Ignacio | Deo Florence L. Onda

 

Abstract:

As one of the top contributors of marine plastic litter in the world’s oceans, the Philippines, having recognized the seriousness of this problem has adopted a National Plan of Action for the Prevention, Reduction, and Management of Marine Litter (NPOA-ML). One of the initial steps of the NPOA-ML is to perform marine litter baselining in identifying the extent of the plastics pollution problem in the environment. Further, recent stakeholder engagements have identified that two of the priority research areas – ‘marine environmental protection,’ and ‘digital transformation’ – in the Philippine maritime sector are aligned with the establishment of baseline data for marine litter. Provided that there are local initiatives in consolidating the available plastics data, this study presents a framework for the digital transformation of plastics data in defining the extent of marine plastics pollution in the country. Briefly, the framework considers the digitization of plastics data from land and sea-based sources, then coupled with the appropriate mechanistic model (i.e., process models) that serves as a backbone for digitalization. Consequently, the direction towards the development of a technological artifact, when using the said framework as a basis, can serve as a holistic risk-assessment tool for the crafting of reduction, control, and mitigation strategies by stakeholders at various levels in the national government.



References:

  1. Cabrera, O., Villanoy, C. and Siringan, F. P. Wave Climate of the Philippines from Wavewatch III global model. American Geophysical Union, 2016 (2016), A24B-2573.
  2. Omeyer, L. C. M., Duncan, E. M., Aiemsomboon, K., Beaumont, N., Bureekul, S., Cao, B., Carrasco, L. R., Chavanich, S., Clark, J. R., Cordova, M. R., Couceiro, F., Cragg, S. M., Dickson, N., Failler, P., Ferraro, G., Fletcher, S., Fong, J., Ford, A. T., Gutierrez, T., Shahul Hamid, F., Hiddink, J. G., Hoa, P. T., Holland, S. I., Jones, L., Jones, N. H., Koldewey, H., Lauro, F. M., Lee, C., Lewis, M., Marks, D., Matallana-Surget, S., Mayorga-Adame, C. G., McGeehan, J., Messer, L. F., Michie, L., Miller, M. A., Mohamad, Z. F., Nor, N. H. M., Müller, M., Neill, S. P., Nelms, S. E., Onda, D. F. L., Ong, J. J. L., Pariatamby, A., Phang, S. C., Quilliam, R., Robins, P. E., Salta, M., Sartimbul, A., Shakuto, S., Skov, M. W., Taboada, E. B., Todd, P. A., Toh, T. C., Valiyaveettil, S., Viyakarn, V., Wonnapinij, P., Wood, L. E., Yong, C. L. X. and Godley, B. J. Priorities to inform research on marine plastic pollution in Southeast Asia. Sci. Total Environ., 841 (2022/10/01/ 2022), 156704.
  3. Jambeck, J. R., Geyer, R., Wilcox, C., Siegler, T. R., Perryman, M., Andrady, A., Narayan, R. and Law, K. L. Plastic waste inputs from land into the ocean. Science, 347, 6223 (2015), 768-771.
  4. Abreo, N. A. S. Marine plastics in the Philippines: a call for research. Philippine Science Letters, 11, 1 (2018), 18-19.
  5. Lyons, Y., Su, T. L. and Neo, M. L. A review of research on marine plastics in Southeast Asia: Who does what. Research on marine plastics in Sea (2019).
  6. Galarpe, V. R. K. R., Jaraula, C. M. B. and Paler, M. K. O. The nexus of macroplastic and microplastic research and plastic regulation policies in the Philippines marine coastal environments. Mar. Pollut. Bull., 167 (2021/06/01/2021), 112343.
  7. Cruz, L. L. B. and Shimozono, T. Transport of floating litter within Manila Bay, Philippines. Mar. Pollut. Bull., 163 (2021/02/01/ 2021), 111944.
  8. van Emmerik, T., van Klaveren, J., Meijer, L. J. J., Krooshof, J. W., Palmos, D. A. A. and Tanchuling, M. A. Manila River Mouths Act as Temporary Sinks for Macroplastic Pollution. Frontiers in Marine Science, 7, 770 (2020-October-07 2020).
  9. Palermo, J., Labrador, K., Follante, J., Agmata, A., Pante, M., Rollon, R. and David, L. Susceptibility of Sardinella lemuru to emerging marine microplastic pollution. Global Journal of Environmental Science and Management, 6, 3 (2020), 373-384.
  10. Onda, D. F. L., Gomez, N. C. F., Purganan, D. J. E., Tolentino, M. P. S., Bitalac, J. M. S., Calpito, J. V. M., Perez, J. N. O. and Viernes, A. C. A. Marine Microbes and Plastic Debris: Research Status and Opportunities in the Philippines. Philipp. J. Sci., 149, 1 (2020), 71-82.
  11. Bucol, L. A., Romano, E. F., Cabcaban, S. M., Siplon, L. M. D., Madrid, G. C., Bucol, A. A. and Polidoro, B. Microplastics in marine sediments and rabbitfish (Siganus fuscescens) from selected coastal areas of Negros Oriental, Philippines. Mar. Pollut. Bull., 150 (2020/01/01/ 2020), 110685.
  12. Abreo, N. A. S., Siblos, S. K. V. and Macusi, E. D. Anthropogenic Marine Debris (AMD) in Mangrove Forests of Pujada Bay, Davao Oriental, Philippines. J. Mar. Isl. Cult, 9, 1 (2020), 34-48.
  13. Paler, M. K. O., Malenab, M. C. T., Maralit, J. R. and Nacorda, H. M. Plastic waste occurrence on a beach off southwestern Luzon, Philippines. Mar. Pollut. Bull., 141 (2019/04/01/ 2019), 416-419.
  14. Sunio, V. C., Santos, E., Baleta, F. N. and Tabañag, I. D. F. Research and Development Agenda for the Philippine Maritime Sector: Results from Stakeholder Consultations. Transportation Science Society of the Philippines (TSSP) Journal. In Press (2022).
  15. Abreo, N. A. S., Macusi, E. D., Blatchley, D. D. and Cuenca, G. C. Ingestion of marine plastic debris by green turtle (Chelonia mydas) in Davao Gulf, Mindanao, Philippines. Philipp. J. Sci., 145, 1 (2016), 17-23.
  16. Abreo, N. A. S., Macusi, E., Blatchley, D. and Cuenca-Ocay, G. First evidence of plastic ingestion by the rare deraniyagala’s beaked whale (Mesoplodon hotaula). IAMURE International Journal of Ecology Conservation, 19 (2016), 16-36.
  17. Palermo, J. D. H., MSI, M. J. R. P., Rollon, R. N. and MSI, L. T. D. Trophic ecology of sardines: Sardinella lemuru feeding strategies and vulnerability to marine microplastic pollution in Northern Mindanao. PhD candidate, Institute of Environmental Science and Meteorology, University of the Philippines-Diliman (2018).
  18. Kalnasa, M. L., Lantaca, S. M. O., Boter, L. C., Flores, G. J. T. and Galarpe, V. R. K. R. Occurrence of surface sand microplastic and litter in Macajalar Bay, Philippines. Mar. Pollut. Bull., 149 (2019/12/01/ 2019), 110521.
  19. Abreo, N. A. S., Macusi, E. D. and Jimenez, L. A. A survey of subtidal anthropogenic marine debris (AMD) in Mayo bay, Mati City, Davao Oriental, Philippines. Philipp. J. Sci., 147, 4 (2018), 597-600.
  20. Deocaris, C. C., Allosada, J. O., Ardiente, L. T., Bitang, L. G. G., Dulohan, C. L., Lapuz, J. K. I., Padilla, L. M., Ramos, V. P. and Padolina, J. B. P. Occurrence of microplastic fragments in the Pasig River. H2Open Journal, 2, 1 (2019), 92-100.
  21. Superio, M. D., Superio, A., Abreo, N. A. and Abreo, S. Plastic in Freshwater Ecosytems: A looming crisis in the Philippines (02/04 2020).
  22. Gaboy, S. M. M., Guihawan, J. Q., Leopardas, V. E. and Bacosa, H. P. Unravelling macroplastic pollution in seagrass beds of Iligan City, Mindanao, Philippines. Mar. Pollut. Bull., 185 (2022/12/01/ 2022), 114233.
  23. Sajorne, R. E., Bacosa, H. P., Cayabo, G. D. B., Ardines, L. B., Sumeldan, J. D. C., Omar, J. M. and Creencia, L. A. Plastic litter pollution along sandy beaches in Puerto Princesa, Palawan Island, Philippines. Mar. Pollut. Bull., 169 (2021/08/01/2021), 112520.
  24. Paler, M. K. O., Tabañag, I. D. F., Siacor, F. D. C., Geraldino, P. J. L., Walton, M. E. M., Dunn, C., Skov, M. W., Hiddink, J. G. and Taboada, E. B. Elucidating the surface macroplastic load, types and distribution in mangrove areas around Cebu Island, Philippines and its policy implications. Sci. Total Environ., 838 (2022/09/10/2022), 156408.
  25. Espiritu, E. Q., Dayrit, S. A. S., Coronel, A. S. O., Paz, N. S. C., Ronquillo, P. I. L., Castillo, V. C. G. and Enriquez, E. P. Assessment of quantity and quality of microplastics in the sediments, waters, oysters, and selected fish species in key sites along the bombong estuary and the coastal waters of ticalan in San Juan, Batangas (2019).
  26. Cabansag, J. B. P., Olimberio, R. B. and Villanobos, Z. M. T. Microplastics in some fish species and their environs in Eastern Visayas, Philippines. Mar. Pollut. Bull., 167 (2021/06/01/ 2021), 112312.
  27. Yong, M. M. H., Leistenschneider, C., Miranda, J. A., Paler, M. K., Legaspi, C., Germanov, E., Araujo, G., Burkhardt-Holm, P. and Erni-Cassola, G. Microplastics in fecal samples of whale sharks (Rhincodon typus) and from surface water in the Philippines. Microplastics and Nanoplastics, 1, 1 (2021/09/26 2021), 17.
  28. Hoornweg, D. and Bhada-Tata, P. What a waste: a global review of solid waste management (2012).
  29. Schmidt, C., Krauth, T. and Wagner, S. Export of Plastic Debris by Rivers into the Sea. Environ. Sci. Technol., 51, 21 (2017/11/07 2017), 12246-12253.
  30. Lebreton, L., Van Der Zwet, J., Damsteeg, J.-W., Slat, B., Andrady, A. and Reisser, J. River plastic emissions to the world’s oceans. Nature communications, 8, 1 (2017), 1-10.
  31. Lebreton, L., Egger, M. and Slat, B. A global mass budget for positively buoyant macroplastic debris in the ocean. Sci. Rep., 9, 1 (2019/09/12 2019), 12922.
  32. Tabañag, I. D. F., Espiloy, A. L. E., Francisco, F. A. G., Tagalog, S. K. M., Paler, M. K. O., Siacor, F. D. C., Geraldino, P. J. L., Walton, M. E. M., Dunn, C., Skov, M. W., Hiddink, J. G. and Taboada, E. B. Macroplastics transport in the coastal mangrove areas around Cebu Island: Looking at the mangrove retention parameter as an indicator for dominant transport rates. 7th International Marine Debris Conference (2022).
  33. Tabañag, I. D. F. Material Balance Approaches in Looking at the Plastics Transport between Riverine and Beach Systems using ICC Data: A Case for Cogon, Pardo. 1st Pakighimamat Cebu Chemical Engineers Conference (2022).
  34. Verhoef, P. C., Broekhuizen, T., Bart, Y., Bhattacharya, A., Qi Dong, J., Fabian, N. and Haenlein, M. Digital transformation: A multidisciplinary reflection and research agenda. Journal of Business Research, 122 (2021/01/01/ 2021), 889-901.
  35. Simon, L. L., Pataki, H., Marosi, G., Meemken, F., Hungerbühler, K., Baiker, A., Tummala, S., Glennon, B., Kuentz, M., Steele, G., Kramer, H. J. M., Rydzak, J. W., Chen, Z., Morris, J., Kjell, F., Singh, R., Gani, R., Gernaey, K. V., Louhi-Kultanen, M., O’Reilly, J., Sandler, N., Antikainen, O., Yliruusi, J., Frohberg, P., Ulrich, J., Braatz, R. D., Leyssens, T., von Stosch, M., Oliveira, R., Tan, R. B. H., Wu, H., Khan, M., O’Grady, D., Pandey, A., Westra, R., Delle-Case, E., Pape, D., Angelosante, D., Maret, Y., Steiger, O., Lenner, M., Abbou-Oucherif, K., Nagy, Z. K., Litster, J. D., Kamaraju, V. K. and Chiu, M.-S. Assessment of Recent Process Analytical Technology (PAT) Trends: A Multiauthor Review. Organic Process Research & Development, 19, 1 (2015/01/16 2015), 3-62.
  36. Lee, J., Cameron, I. and Hassall, M. Improving process safety: What roles for Digitalization and Industry 4.0? Process Saf. Environ. Prot., 132 (2019/12/01/2019), 325-339.
  37. Yang, C., Xie, S., Yuan, X., Wang, X. and Xie, Y. A New Data Reconciliation Strategy Based on Mutual Information for Industrial Processes. Ind. Eng. Chem. Res., 57, 38 (2018/09/26 2018), 12861-12870.
  38. Narayanan, H., Luna, M. F., von Stosch, M., Cruz Bournazou, M. N., Polotti, G., Morbidelli, M., Butté, A. and Sokolov, M. Bioprocessing in the Digital Age: The Role of Process Models. Biotechnol. J., 15, 1 (2020), 1900172.
  39. EcoGov Project Waste Analysis and Characterization Study - A Manual. City, 2011.
  40. Figueroa, A. M. I., Pintor, L. L., Sapuay, G. P., Ancheta, A. A., Atienza, V. A., Hintural, W. P., Abris, M. I. V. and Ghosh, S. K. Circular Economy Strategies and Implementation in the Philippines. Springer Nature Singapore, City, 2021.
  41. Manegdeg, R. F., Ilano, A. B., Rollon, A., Magdaluyo Jr, E. and Cervera, R. B. Financial and Socio-economic Study of Modular Pyrolysis Facilities as Waste-to-Energy Technology: a Case Study in Metropolitan Manila, Philippines. Philipp. J. Sci., 151, 1 (2022), 357-369.
  42. Balaguer, M. G. Waste Analysis and Characterization Study (WACS) of the end-of-pipe waste of Liliw, Laguna, Philippines/Marbonie Gonzales Balaguer (2014).
  43. Montero, E., Hapinat, H. and Penaflorida, M. Waste analysis and characterization study (WACS): measures towards effective Municipal Waste Management in Batad, Iloilo, Philippines. Food and Fertilizer Technology for the Asian and Pacific Region (2019).
  44. Tinio, M. M. R., Rollon, A. P. and Moya, T. B. Synergy in the urban solid waste management system in Malolos city, Philippines. Philipp. J. Sci., 148, 1 (2019), 73-97.
  45. Roman, L., Hardesty, B. D., Leonard, G. H., Pragnell-Raasch, H., Mallos, N., Campbell, I. and Wilcox, C. A global assessment of the relationship between anthropogenic debris on land and the seafloor. Environ. Pollut., 264 (2020/09/01/2020), 114663.
  46. Berdin, M. J. A., Agostilo, J. E., Descartin, J. A., Estomo, M. G. and Nodalo, C. N. L. A Centralized Document Processing and Support Sytem (CeDoPSS) for Philippine Registered Vessels. Innovatus: A Journal on Computing Technology Innovations, 5, 2 (2022).
  47. Tijan, E., Jović, M., Aksentijević, S. and Pucihar, A. Digital transformation in the maritime transport sector. Technol. Forecast. Soc. Change, 170 (2021/09/01/2021), 120879.
  48. Alahmadi, D. H., Baothman, F. A., Alrajhi, M. M., Alshahrani, F. S. and Albalawi, H. Z. Comparative analysis of blockchain technology to support digital transformation in ports and shipping. Journal of Intelligent Systems, 31, 1 (2022),55-69.
  49. Zhou, X. and Kraft, M. Blockchain Technology in the Chemical Industry. Annual Review of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, 13, 1 (2022), 347-371.
  50. Martínez-Vicente, V., Clark, J. R., Corradi, P., Aliani, S., Arias, M., Bochow, M., Bonnery, G., Cole, M., Cózar, A., Donnelly, R., Echevarría, F., Galgani, F., Garaba, S. P., Goddijn-Murphy, L., Lebreton, L., Leslie, H. A., Lindeque, P. K., Maximenko, N., Martin-Lauzer, F.-R., Moller, D., Murphy, P., Palombi, L., Raimondi, V., Reisser, J., Romero, L., Simis, S. G. H., Sterckx, S., Thompson, R. C., Topouzelis, K. N., van Sebille, E., Veiga, J. M. and Vethaak, A. D. Measuring Marine Plastic Debris from Space: Initial Assessment of Observation Requirements. Remote Sensing, 11, 20 (2019), 2443.
  51. Geraeds, M., van Emmerik, T., de Vries, R. and bin Ab Razak, M. S. Riverine Plastic Litter Monitoring Using Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs). Remote Sensing, 11, 17 (2019), 2045.
  52. de Vries, R., Egger, M., Mani, T. and Lebreton, L. Quantifying Floating Plastic Debris at Sea Using Vessel-Based Optical Data and Artificial Intelligence. Remote Sensing, 13, 17 (2021), 3401.
  53. Kooi, M., Besseling, E., Kroeze, C., van Wezel, A. P. and Koelmans, A. A. Modeling the Fate and Transport of Plastic Debris in Freshwaters: Review and Guidance. Springer International Publishing, City, 2018.
  54. Pitarch, J. L., Sala, A. and de Prada, C. A Systematic Grey-Box Modeling Methodology via Data Reconciliation and SOS Constrained Regression. Processes, 7, 3 (2019), 170.
  55. Miao, Y., Su, H., Gang, R. and Chu, J. Industrial Processes: Data Reconciliation and Gross Error Detection. Measurement and Control, 42, 7 (2009), 209-215.
  56. Lasdon, L. S., Fox, R. L. and Ratner, M. W. Nonlinear optimization using the generalized reduced gradient method. Revue française d'automatique, informatique, recherche opérationnelle. Recherche opérationnelle, 8, V3 (1974), 73-103.
  57. Agarwala, N. Managing marine environmental pollution using Artificial Intelligence. Maritime Technology and Research, 3, 2 (02/08 2021), 120-136.
  58. Van Eygen, E., Feketitsch, J., Laner, D., Rechberger, H. and Fellner, J. Comprehensive analysis and quantification of national plastic flows: The case of Austria. Resources, Conservation and Recycling, 117 (2017/02/01/ 2017), 183-194.
  59. Abidin, A. Z. and Steven, S. Plastic marine debris study based on Indonesian plastic national balance (IPNB) and seashore approach. IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering, 1143, 1 (2021/04/01 2021), 012048.
  60. Waldschläger, K., Lechthaler, S., Stauch, G. and Schüttrumpf, H. The way of microplastic through the environment – Application of the source-pathway-receptor model (review). Sci. Total Environ., 713 (2020/04/15/ 2020), 136584.
  61. Lechthaler, S., Waldschläger, K., Stauch, G. and Schüttrumpf, H. The Way of Macroplastic through the Environment. Environments, 7, 10 (2020), 73.
  62. Rinasti, A. N., Ibrahim, I. F., Gunasekara, K., Koottatep, T. and Winijkul, E. Fate identification and management strategies of non-recyclable plastic waste through the integration of material flow analysis and leakage hotspot modeling. Sci.Rep., 12, 1 (2022/09/29 2022), 16298.