The Basque Coast video-monitoring network provides high-frequency and continuous images of nearshore areas along the Basque Coast. The coastal flooding and morphological parameters are collected from the network at regional scale. The use of these parameters for a multi-scale coastal flooding assessment framework is presented.
Accurately determining the location of seafloor-deployed scientific sensor units has become increasingly critical, particularly when considering the unstructured distribution of multiple unlinked devices. To access the data stored on these nodes, an underwater vehicle has been proposed to exchange data. Given the challenge of locating nodes in an unknown configuration, an acoustic positioning system has been developed to help the vehicle reduce the uncertainty in identifying the various units within the seafloor lander network. This paper presents the first experimental results on the accuracy and feasibility of the developed location system.
Dynamic power cables are used to connect offshore renewable systems to electric grid. These cables are a critical component, especially in floating offshore renewable systems, which are exposed to cyclic loads resulting from the floating structure movements. These loads are transmitted along the cable, leading to motions over the seabed. Accounting for soil characteristics and seabed bathymetry results critical in order to minimize friction damage. In the same way, the touchdown point of the cable is often a constraining section when assessing cable life. This point is subject to frequent impacts and it needs to be well determined. Additionally, the seabed in that area must be characterized in order to protect the cable properly or even change the cable route or move the touchdown point by redesigning the configuration of each component. Thus, the accuracy in the installation of a dynamic cable can avoid future problems. This paper addresses a bathymetry study done for route of a dynamic power cable deployed to connect a floating testing platform, HarshLab, at BIMEP test site. The installation of the power cable is planned to be done with a DPI vessel. The dynamic cable will be mounted in the vessel in a reel with both ends with electrical submarine connectors installed. Therefore, the route of the dynamic power cable cannot be modified during installation. The surveys have been carried out with full coverage, using a Norbit–iWBMSc (Compact) multibeam echo sounder, installed on board the AZTIMAR BAT vessel, with a resulted net of 25cm. of resolution. The multi-beam bathymetry has addressed the more suitable route for the cable. Submarine inspections performed with a ROV has been used to confirm visually the identified objects to be avoided in the cable route. As result of this study, it has been selected a route with minimum risk for cable damages.
This paper presents the deployment and performance analysis of the ANB AQ50 pH sensor integrated into the OBSEA observatory, assessing its accuracy, biofouling impact, and long-term operational viability in marine monitoring.
After nearly two years of development, the Pop-Up buoy technol- ogy has proven essential for data retrieval from stand-alone sea- bed oceanographic platforms, reducing reliance on autonomous vehicle surveys and frequent oceanographic campaigns. In 2024, extensive laboratory and field testing significantly advanced its Technology Readiness Level (TRL). Key improvements include the integration of an external antenna, enhanced buoyancy, the de- velopment of image transmission methods, and the optimization of ARGOS transmission parameters, among other advancements. This paper summarizes a year of rigorous testing and highlights the advancements made toward deploying this technology in re- al-world marine environments.
This paper presents the development and operational strategy of the OBSEA autonomous underwater crawler designed for continuous environmental monitoring. The crawler operates within a triangular configuration of three predefined objects in a laboratory environment. It performs sequential navigation and monitoring tasks by approaching each object in a looped pattern to ensure comprehensive environmental coverage. Due to Obsea autonomous underwater crawler tethered nature, the crawler adopts a bidirectional traversal method to prevent cable entanglement. Using this approach ensures efficient and uninterrupted monitoring of underwater ecosystems.
Since its first detection on the coast of the Strait of Gibraltar in 2015, the exotic brown alga Rugulopteryx okamurae has spread explosively over a large part of the Atlantic and Mediterranean coasts, with severe impacts on established benthic communities, fisheries and tourism. The impact of the algae in the Mediterranean environment has recently been the subject of extensive research, but key aspects of the invasion, including its distribution and the underlying causes of its success, remain unknown. To gain insight into the spread and establishment of the species, a high-resolution three-dimensional hydrodynamic model coupled with a Lagrangian algorithm is used, with virtual tracers representing free spores, thalli fragments or detached mats of Rugulopteryx okamurae. The hindcast of the passive spread of the algae in 2021, as a test year, indicated a predominantly eastward direction, with transport by the Atlantic jet entering the Alboran Sea being the most influential physical mechanism. The potential utility of numerical tools in elucidating the dispersal dynamics of introduced and expanding species, identifying high-risk areas and formulating management strategies for this species is discussed.
In this study, an empirical model has been developed to infer the beach nearshore bathymetry on mesotidal beaches using coastal videometry and statistical techniques applied to digital images. The model utilizes digital images captured throughout a tidal cycle, combined with sea level time series, to derive the Intertidal Bathymetry (IB). Additionally, Subtidal Bathymetry (SB) is inferred from low-tide images using an empirical function that assumes the detected features are affected by a combination of atmospheric, oceanographic and geometric, as well as the underlying bathymetry at the time of image acquisition. The model stablishes an empirical linear formulation where coefficients are calibrated using the IB and corresponding images. This approach was applied to Magdalena Beach, located on Santander Bay. Validation of the model was performed by comparing the results against measured bathymetry. Differences between measured and modelled bathymetry were of the order of 0.10 m for the IB and of 0.20 m for the SB, demonstrating the model accuracy and potential for practical applications.
This work presents a software tool that automates the integration of metrological calibration data with oceanographic datasets, ensuring consistent correction and robust uncertainty quantification with minimal human intervention. The tool processes datasets in NetCDF or CSV formats alongside calibration certificates in SensorML format, applying calibration coefficients and propagating uncertainties using rigorous metrological principles. The output is an enriched dataset with corrected values, uncertainty estimates, and detailed metadata for transparency and reproducibility. This approach bridges the gap between calibration certificates and data analysis, supporting better-informed scientific research and decision-making in oceanography and beyond.
To ensure the sustainable management of fisheries, the precise monitoring of fish stocks is required to maintain their long-term reproductive capacity and prevent the risk of overfishing. This paper explores advanced methods for the detection and classification of tuna species onboard fishing vessels, using machine learning and computer vision systems. These practices enable automated identifications of various species of tuna, providing critical data to support sustainable fishing practices. By integrating such tools into fishing operations, this approach aims to enhance both the accuracy and efficiency of stock assessments, and contribute to the preservation of marine ecosystems.
Restoring and monitoring marine ecosystems are global priorities for international governance. Central to these efforts is the Digital Twin of the Ocean (DTO), a virtual replica powered by real-time data from advanced monitoring platforms. This abstract showcases three ongoing Horizon Europe projects—DIGI4ECO, SUN-BIO, and MERLIN focusing on complementary aspects of this vision. DIGI4ECO provides a global framework, establishing the foundation for the DTO through standardization of ecological metrics and monitoring technologies. SUN-BIO focuses on a fixed monitoring platform integrated with a hybrid green energy generator and restoration hubs, showcasing sustainability at a localized level. MERLIN employs marine autonomous robots for advanced data collection and intervention, enhancing connectivity between monitoring sites. Together, these projects create a comprehensive framework for advancing marine conservation and sustainable resource management through cutting-edge technologies.
Marine Protected Areas are vital for ecosystem recovery, yet monitoring their effectiveness underwater poses significant challenges. This work introduces a novel approach to satellite image transmission using Pop-Up buoys and the Kinéis nanosatellite constellation. The exposed methodology segments, compresses, and optimizes the transmission of underwater images, ensuring high reconstruction rates (98%) even under data loss scenarios of up to 30%. Simulations and prototype testing validate the effectiveness of this system, reducing transmission time and paving the way for more efficient, autonomous seafloor ecosystem monitoring.
This study aims to explore wave drivers and their control on coastal morphodynamics, focusing on four beaches in the Bay of Biscay. By employing cutting-edge methodologies, the research integrates wave propagation models (SWAN), ML models (Gradi- ent Boosting Regressor), in-situ measures, and video monitoring (KOSTASystem) to forecast and examine beach responses. The re- sults tackle uncertainties in wave predictions and offer valuable insights for beach sustainability and restoration.
The use of underwater vehicles equipped with manipulator arms is gaining popularity each year as a safer alternative to performing tasks that pose significant risks to divers. However, in marine sciences, many existing manipulator arms are heavy, costly, and poorly suited to the specific needs of marine biologists. This paper is a continuation of the proposal for a versatile, modular and affordable manipulator presented in a previous paper [1]. In summary, the current contribution focuses on the development of an end effector designed to meet the challenges of collecting samples of marine organisms using underwater vehicles.
Marine microplastics, both on beaches and in open seas worldwide, are among the most pressing environmental challenges. These pollutants not only harm ecosystems but also impose significant economic burdens on authorities, necessitating frequent and costly cleanup operations, especially along coastal areas. Rapid, efficient methods for detecting, quantifying, and identifying microplastics are essential for pinpointing pollution sources and devising effective remediation strategies. However, these tasks currently rely on sophisticated and expensive equipment. This study presents the development of an innovative, cost-effective microplastic sensor, the result of three years of research and testing. The sensor, equipped with three infrared-sensitive photodiodes, achieves classification accuracies of approximately 90% for the most common floating microplastics in marine environments, such as polyethylene and polypropylene. The redesigned sensor casing ensures durability and adaptability for diverse applications, including monitoring microplastics in aquaculture facilities, lakes, and confined waters. Moreover, its compatibility with drifters or boats makes it suitable for regular monitoring of marine plastic pollution along coastlines and open-sea transects.
In September 2004, the Physical Oceanography Group of the Uni- versity of Málaga deployed a mooring line in the westernmost sill of the Strait of Gibraltar, with the objective of monitoring the wa- ter column velocity and the thermohaline properties of the Med- iterranean waters flowing through the strait towards the Atlantic Ocean. The mooring, which has been providing two decades of data of inestimable value for the oceanographic community, is a ∼20 m subsurface line housing two current profilers and a con- ductivity/temperature sensor. Due to the strong currents flowing in the region, the line periodically undergoes severe tilt and con- tinuous vibration, which may be partially affecting the reliability of the velocity measurements. A completely new custom-designed structure is proposed here, as a replacement for the subsurface mooring scheme, based on a lander fixed design. The PLOSEG (Plataforma de Observación del Estrecho de Gibraltar) is currently at the last stage of its construction process and is scheduled for deployment in the first half of 2025.
We present the development and application of an underwater stand-alone observatory lander designed specifically to moni- tor the restoration of deep-sea habitats. This low-cost, modular system combines robust usability with advanced monitoring ca- pabilities. Continuous monitoring of restoration sites enables time-lapse observation of benthic ecosystems, providing valuable insights into the recovery of seafloor habitats and fostering an understanding of ecological transitions. Initial deployments of the lander have demonstrated its utility in capturing high-resolution imagery and environmental data at restoration sites, supporting the acquisition of baseline data critical for assessing restoration efficacy. In December 2024, a coordinated deployment of three underwater observatory landers was conducted to monitor the effectiveness of passive deep-sea habitat restoration techniques in the north-western Mediterranean Sea. Strategically positioned across restoration sites, the landers can provide comprehensive spatial and temporal coverage, capturing high-resolution time- lapse imagery and environmental data of the seabed. These ob- servations focus on documenting ecological transitions within the restored habitats, enabling the identification of key indicators of recovery such as species colonization, sediment dynamics, and habitat provision.
Climate change and human activities are the main threats to ma- rine, estuarine and riverine environments, making effective mon- itoring essential. This study uses DIY single-beam echosounders with Sentinel-2 satellite imagery to create Satellite Derived Ba- thymetry (SDB) models in sedimentary zones. The 2023-2024 campaigns in the Ebro Delta and the Mequinenza and Riba-roja reservoirs demonstrate the feasibility and cost-effectiveness of these methods to observe morphological changes. Combining DIY technologies with satellite data, we can develop accessible and sustainable approaches to study and protect vulnerable aquatic environments.
Posidonia oceanica is a marine phanerogam endemic to the Mediterranean Sea which provides a number of essential ecosystem services. Degraded meadows have the capacity to regenerate but the process is slow. A number of research centres are advancing the methods for restoration of seagrass meadows, but to date the majority of methods are costly when applied at a large scale as replanting is carried out manually by divers. The SARTI posidonia project aims to experiment with new methodologies for the germination of Posidonia oceanica seeds and cuttings for reforestation in degraded marine habitats, in combination with chalk rocks (high in CaCO3) used as a launch and anchor mechanism. A lander will be installed equipped with an underwater video camera allowing for real-time monitoring of the deployment area. Due to the long distance from the camera to the station, the camera will be connected to the OBSEA observatory through a PowerOverEthernet link plus ethernet extensors.
The Spanish Committee of Glider Operators (CEOG) is a strategic network with the main objective of contributing to the improve- ment in the national management and coordination of the cur- rent distributed (and unconnected) fleet of ocean-observing ve- hicles (underwater gliders and Uncrewed Surface Vehicles, USV) for scientific-technical purposes, operated by the main national entities in this field (Spanish Institute of Oceanography -IEO- of the Spanish National Research Council -CSIC-, AZTI, the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria -ULPGC-, the ICTS-SOCIB and the ICTS-PLOCAN), for a more organized, efficient and value-added management in service to the national community, while facilitat- ing and promoting relevant Spanish involvement in decision-mak- ing related to infrastructures, programs and other strategic initia- tives of European and/or international nature in this matter.
