Energy transition and decarbonizationFP7

Cost-effective marine sensors: COMMON SENSE project meeting in Oristano

Carles Gimeno

unspecifiedOn the 29th and 30th of September, the COMMON SENSE project hold its 36 month meeting in Oristano (Sardinia, Italy) hosted by l‘Istituto per l’Ambiente Marino Costiero del Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (IAMC CNR).

 

It was the occasion for partners to present their recent activities of all work packages but also to have some practical activities with sensors in the facilities of the CNR. Scientists explained the capacities of the various sensors developed by the partners.

 

The COMMON SENSE project will contribute to supporting the implementation of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD), and other EU policies such as the Common Fisheries Policy and the Maritime Integrated Policy, by providing new sensors that are robust, easy-to-use, multi platform compatible, cost-effective, and multi-functional. These sensors will be used to make different reliable in-situ measurements of key parameters relating to Good Environmental Status (GES) of marine waters by means of methodological standards. The project will focus on increasing availability of standardised data on eutrophication, marine litter, contaminants, underwater noise and other parameters (e.g. temperature, pressure, pH and pCO2) according to the MSFD descriptors.

 

Expected results and impact

  • Innovative transversal sensors for temperature, pressure and conductivity measurements which will enable continuous monitoring of water parameters.
  • Microcomposite and nanocomposite films and nanosensors for autonomous pH and partial pressure of carbon dioxide (pCO2) measurements.
  • Precompetitive prototypes for the detection of nutrient analyses using quantitative chemical analysis by colour (colourimetry) for phosphate, ammonia, nitrate and nitrite.
  • Marine litter sensor to measure and quantify the surface concentration of small plastic particles (microplastics) in the off-shore environment.
  • Sensor module for automatic detection low concentrations of heavy metals (lead, mercury, cadmium, zinc and copper) in seawater.
  • Precompetitive fully functional prototype of a bespoke acoustic sensor pod for in-situ monitoring of underwater noise.
  • Innovative specific sensors integrated into modular systems which can be easily adapted to different monitoring requirements and deployment platforms.
  • Common Sensor Web Platform which will provide a more sophisticated view of the environment by implementing the Sensor Web Enablement standards and optimising data acquisition, indexing, access and interoperability.
  • Deployment and testing ofmultifunctional sensor packages using floating devices, buoys, platforms and ships, under different sea conditions in key locations.
  • Effective Knowledge and Technology Transfer ensuring maximum value and benefit from the COMMON SENSE project.