Digital Twin of the Ocean: Europe’s game-changer for sustainable seas

Summary

The video explores how digital technologies and AI are transforming our understanding of the ocean. Scientists are using data collection techniques, including AI-driven tools, to build a digital twin of the ocean, offering real-time insights into marine life and ecosystems. This digital model helps address challenges such as plastic pollution and seagrass restoration. It provides a valuable resource for sustainable ocean management, benefiting researchers, policymakers, and industries. By integrating data from sensors, satellites, and citizen reports, the digital twin offers a revolutionary approach to studying and conserving the ocean.

Takeaways

• 😀 Digital technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI), are revolutionizing our understanding of the ocean.
• 🌊 The Adriatic Sea serves as a key location for collecting data to build the digital twin of the ocean.
• 🔬 Since 1986, scientists have been regularly collecting water samples and measurements at a coastal observatory in Italy.
• 📊 The collected data is freely accessible online, benefiting marine industries like fishing and even involving citizen scientists.
• 📱 Valentina Terrelli developed a free app, Avist, allowing people to report marine life sightings using smartphones.
• 🔍 AI is enhancing marine data collection by automating tasks like plankton identification, saving researchers time and money.
• 🚢 Autonomous underwater platforms are being used to collect data digitally, around the clock, to monitor marine life and ecosystems.
• 📡 AI algorithms are helping researchers detect sounds made by marine animals, such as harbor porpoises, which play a crucial role in ecosystems.
• 🌍 The European Digital Twin of the Ocean is a groundbreaking project aiming to create a digital replica of the ocean for research and policy-making.
• 🌱 The digital twin can model different oceanic scenarios, like the impact of seagrass meadows on coastal resilience and erosion.
• 🌐 The project will provide policymakers with a tool to simulate and test real-world oceanic scenarios, ensuring sustainable use of ocean resources.

Q & A

What role does artificial intelligence (AI) play in marine science?

AI is used to accelerate the process of data collection and analysis in marine science. For example, AI is helping to quickly identify plankton species, which previously took a full day to analyze but now takes just 30 minutes using AI models trained on specific images.

What is the significance of the coastal observatory in the Adriatic Sea?

The coastal observatory, located near Miramar Castle in Trieste, plays a crucial role in long-term ecological research by providing continuous water samples and environmental data. Scientists have been collecting data there since 1986, allowing them to track and understand changes in the coastal ecosystem.

How does citizen science contribute to marine research?

Citizen science plays a vital role by enabling the public to contribute to marine research. Through apps like Avist, anyone with a smartphone can report sightings of marine life, helping to enrich marine databases with data collected by ordinary people.

What is the European Marine Observation and Data Network (EMODnet)?

EMODnet is a European initiative that collects and shares marine data from across Europe. It aims to provide free access to comprehensive datasets for various industries, including fishing, to support marine and environmental management.

What is the 'digital twin of the ocean' and how is it beneficial?

The digital twin of the ocean is a virtual replica of the ocean created from a variety of data sources. This model integrates information like water temperature, current patterns, and marine life observations. It helps scientists and policymakers simulate and predict ocean behavior to solve complex environmental issues, such as plastic pollution and ecosystem restoration.

How does AI assist in the detection of marine animals like harbor porpoises?

AI algorithms are used to analyze acoustic recordings of the ocean, helping to detect the presence of harbor porpoises, which produce sounds beyond human hearing. This allows researchers to map their movements and assess their behavior throughout the year.

What is the potential impact of AI on the offshore wind industry?

AI can help the offshore wind industry by providing insights into the movements of marine animals, like harbor porpoises. This information can be used to plan offshore activities, minimizing disturbances to marine life and ensuring that wind farms are set up in a way that reduces environmental impacts.

How does the digital twin of the ocean help in combating plastic pollution?

The digital twin of the ocean helps track the movement of plastic particles in the water. By simulating how plastic moves with ocean currents, researchers can better understand its spread and devise strategies for reducing ocean pollution.

What role does seagrass restoration play in coastal resilience?

Seagrass restoration can significantly impact coastal resilience by reducing wave heights and preventing coastal erosion. The digital twin of the ocean allows researchers to simulate different scenarios to understand how expanding or planting seagrass meadows could improve coastal protection.

How does continuous marine data collection benefit scientific research and policymaking?

Continuous marine data collection provides a real-time understanding of oceanic conditions, which is essential for addressing issues like climate change, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable resource management. It also supports better-informed decision-making for industries and policymakers by providing long-term, reliable data.