The University of Bremen’s Center for Marine Environmental Sciences (MARUM) is undertaking these days at PLOCAN facilities integration and preliminary tests works in both confined and open waters operational scenarios of a novel underwater camera-system prototype on a glider from the PLOCAN fleet, within the framework of the EU-project Mission Atlantic.
The MARUM prototype is an innovative technological development, unique in its field, consisting of a camera capable of taking thirty images per second, a laser to obtain the distance between the vehicle and the seabed (allowing better reference to the dimensions of the elements into the image), four external LED lights to improve the field of vision and lithium batteries to power the entire system. The integration has required adding an extra module to the vehicle, which means increasing its usual length and weight.
The prototype system is in advanced development phase and is already capable of being tested in real operating conditions such as those offered by the PLOCAN test-sire facility. The previously successful results and the subsequent integration of a gyroscope and an altimeter to determine the optimal position of the vehicle near the ocean floor allow the camera and lights to be activated selectively and images to be taken more efficiently, which enables a more optimized use of its autonomy and endurance capabilities. The images are stored in an internal memory until the glider is recovered. Future improvements already planned will allow to get the images in near-real-time through own satellite telemetry system along with the rest of the data gathered by the scientific sensors, and then, using artificial intelligence (AI) tools, to process the image in real time during the mission.
The main goal of Mission Atlantic project is to systematically develop and implement an Integrated Ecosystem Assessment (IEA) framework at regional and Atlantic basin scales, as an intersectoral research platform between science, policy makers and industry. To this end, existing and new tools and technology are expected to be developed and applied from a multi-domain perspective, including statistical methods, simulation models, machine learning algorithms and ocean observing technology platforms. The IEA framework will use both historical data and data from new campaigns, aimed at assessing the dynamics of Atlantic marine ecosystem indicators (from nutrient cycles to the distribution of large migratory species throughout the water column, including benthic communities).
