Artificial intelligence (AI) and digital technologies are revolutionizing our understanding of the oceans, with the EU-funded Digital Twin of the Ocean project playing a key role in this transformation. By creating a digital replica of the ocean, the project integrates vast amounts of data from various sources, providing a powerful tool for researchers, policymakers, and industries. The initiative aims to improve ocean management and sustainability by simulating real-world scenarios and offering insights that were previously out of reach.
One major aspect of the project is the collection of long-term ecological data. Off the coast of Trieste, Italy, scientists have been gathering water samples and tracking environmental changes since 1986. These efforts contribute to a massive database of information on nutrient levels, salinity, chlorophyll, and other variables. Additionally, the project incorporates data from citizen scientists using apps like “avvistAPP,” which allows the public to report sightings of marine species such as dolphins and jellyfish. This combination of professional research and citizen data enhances the scope and accuracy of the data being collected.
A significant breakthrough in the Digital Twin of the Ocean project is the use of AI to process and analyze the vast amounts of marine data. At the Flanders Marine Institute in Belgium, researchers are using AI-powered digital cameras to automate the identification of plankton, a task that previously took an entire day but now can be completed in just 30 minutes. This technological advancement accelerates the analysis of marine ecosystems, providing more timely and accurate data. Furthermore, autonomous underwater platforms equipped with sensors are being deployed to continuously collect data, offering real-time insights into ocean conditions.
The project has a wide range of applications. One practical example is monitoring the movements of harbour porpoises in the North Sea. These small marine mammals play a critical role in the ecosystem, and their presence is tracked using acoustic recordings gathered by underwater buoys. AI algorithms analyze the data, identifying the sounds of porpoises and mapping their movements. This information helps industries like offshore wind minimize their impact on these animals by adjusting their activities based on porpoise presence, which peaks in winter.
The Digital Twin of the Ocean goes beyond simple data collection. It integrates diverse streams of information, from underwater sensors to satellite data, into a virtual model that can simulate various environmental scenarios. For instance, researchers can use the model to test the impact of seagrass meadow restoration on coastal erosion and wave heights. These simulations provide critical insights for improving coastal resilience and addressing the effects of climate change.
Ultimately, the Digital Twin of the Ocean aims to make ocean data freely accessible to all, including researchers, businesses, and the general public. This open-access approach will allow policymakers to make more informed, sustainable decisions about the use of marine resources, from fishing to renewable energy production. By modeling potential outcomes before implementing real-world actions, the project can help reduce costly mistakes and ensure more effective management of ocean ecosystems.
The Digital Twin of the Ocean represents a new frontier in ocean science, combining AI, big data, and international collaboration to protect and sustainably manage one of the planet’s most vital resources. Once fully operational, it will offer unprecedented insights into the health of the world’s oceans, benefiting both humanity and the environment.
https://www.euronews.com/green/2024/09/24/european-digital-twin-ocean