Titolo della tesi: Uso delle plastiche in agricoltura: classificazione,caratterizzazione e processi di degradazione nei suoli e nei canali di raccolta delle acque
Plastic in agriculture is frequently used to protect crops and its use boosts output, enhances food quality, minimize water consumption and reducing the environmental impacts of agricultural activities. On the other hand, end-of-life plastic management and disposal are the main issues related to their presence in this kind of environment. In this study, the possibility of using near infrared (NIR: 1000 - 1700 nm) hyperspectral imaging systems in situ for the recognition of
various polymers in agricultural soils was explored in order to characterize degraded plastics in a recycling perspective. More in detail, a Partial Least Squares -Discriminant Analysis (PLS-DA) classifier able of identifying mixed plastics from soil was developed. Results showed as hyperspectral image analysis in combination with chemometric approaches allow the implementation of a rapid, non-destructive, and non-invasive for characterizing the plastics used in agriculture as well as the potential assessment of their lifespan.