Keeping the marine environment clean
The aim of the 'Marine water quality information services – AquaMar' (AQUAMAR) project was to provide downstream water quality services to its users. Project partners surpassed the current state of the art with their innovative products based on advanced software algorithms and remote sensing techniques. The products are applicable to all relevant water types. AQUAMAR's portfolio of services includes indicators for reporting requirements of the Water Framework Directive and Marine Strategy, and algal bloom forecasting. Other services include monitoring of offshore activities related to large-scale marine infrastructure and aquaculture. The team also carried out monitoring work in support of the Bathing Water Directive. Trials were conducted during an intensive validation phase for each of the service lines, ensuring their accuracy and value towards user requirements and practices. Gaps in the technology and further elements for improvement were also identified. Furthermore, the new products and methods were integrated into MARCOAST2, an EU-funded initiative that uses satellite data to monitor marine water quality. AQUARMAR successfully developed and tested new water quality products and disseminated its results to decision makers and end users to build a user community. The results were also used in the drafting of a roadmap for achieving a sustainable water quality services network at the European scale, in conjunction with MARCOAST2. The products and services developed through AQUAMAR will help conserve the marine environment by improving the sustainability of Europe's aquaculture industry and offshore installations.
Keywords
Marine environment, pollution, climate change, water quality, water quality services, remote sensing, algal bloom, marine infrastructure, aquaculture, satellite data
