Remote Sensing Analysis Techniques and Sensor Requirements to Support the Mapping of Illegal Domestic Waste Disposal Sites in Queensland, Australia

• Main Authors: Katharine Glanville, Hsing-Chung Chang
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2015-10-01
• Series: Remote Sensing
• Subjects: waste management; illegal dump sites; domestic waste; remote sensing; image processing methods; Australia
• Online Access: http://www.mdpi.com/2072-4292/7/10/13053

Illegal disposal of waste is a significant management issue for contemporary governments with waste posing an economic, social, and environmental risk. An improved understanding of the distribution of illegal waste disposal sites is critical to enhance the cost-effectiveness and efficiency of waste management efforts. Remotely sensed data has the potential to address this knowledge gap. However, the literature regarding the use of remote sensing to map illegal waste disposal sites is incomplete. This paper aims to analyze existing remote sensing methods and sensors used to monitor and map illegal waste disposal sites. The purpose of this paper is to support the evaluation of existing remote sensing methods for mapping illegal domestic waste sites in Queensland, Australia. Recent advances in technology and the acquisition of very high-resolution remote sensing imagery provide an important opportunity to (1) revisit established analysis techniques for identifying illegal waste disposal sites, (2) examine the applicability of different remote sensors for illegal waste disposal detection, and (3) identify opportunities for future research to increase the accuracy of any illegal waste disposal mapping products.