Catarina Magalhães, researcher at the Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research (CIIMAR) and project leader, explained that the multitrophic prototype, MarinEye, represents a new observation approach to understanding the complexity of the “physical, chemical and biological interaction processes that influence the stability of the oceans.” “Life on this planet depends on oceanic processes, as they produce most of the oxygen available on Earth, they regulate the climate, and provide various living and non-living resources, such as food, energy, transportation, or medications.”

The project will feature four different modules which will observe and interpret, using advanced technology,  physical, chemical and biological components simultaneously, in different trophic levels, from microorganisms to marine mammals. The first module will use physical and chemical sensors to measure parameters such as temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen, or the pH (which indicates the acidity, neutrality or alkalinity of the water), among others. The module will also measure dissolved carbon dioxide using an optical sensor platform.

The following module is composed of an autonomous filtering system designed to filter water. The filter retains and reserves the DNA (genetic information) of different communities of microorganisms that inhabit and represent the largest biomass the oceans. In the third module, phyto and zooplankton images will be collected to assess their quantities and biodiversity, using a high resolution imaging system. The last module will collect hydro acoustic data to obtain information on the presence of marine mammals and estimations regarding the quantities of fish.

These modules and the data obtained in the different stages will help create the MarinEye prototype, which will also feature software to visualise and summarise data, as well as a series of models for integrating and identifying the connections between parameters. “The type and the amount of information that the MarinEye will give access to will constitute the foundation for building a system to manage marine resources more efficiently, assuring the protection of this environment for present and future generations”, explains Eduardo Silva, coordinator of INESC TEC’s Centre for Robotics and Autonomous Systems. The project also features the researchers Antonina dos Santos, of the Portuguese Sea and Atmosphere Institute  (IPMA), and Sérgio Leandro of the Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre (MARE – IP Leiria).

Diário de Aveiro, 26 February 2016