Exploring the future of ocean observation: AI, robotics, and biotech with Dominique Durand

The ocean covers over 70% of our planet, yet so much of it remains a mystery. How do we observe, understand, and protect this vast and complex environment?

The latest episode of Blue Tech Around the World?dives into this topic with a special guest, Dominique Durand, a leader in marine science and sustainable blue economy. With over 20 years of experience in ocean monitoring and innovation, Dominique shares cutting-edge insights into the technologies transforming how we study the sea.

What is ocean observation? A deep dive

Ocean observation is essentially a health check-up for our oceans. Scientists collect data on physical parameters like temperature and currents, chemical compositions such as pollutants, and biological aspects like marine life interactions. But why does this matter? This data informs everything from scientific research to environmental policies and sustainable economic activities.

Dominique describes how ocean observation has evolved, incorporating tools from space technologies to microscopic biotech. He explains, "From space to the deep sea, ocean monitoring has been a common thread throughout my career, and the advancements we’re seeing today are truly game-changing."

The digital revolution: How technology is changing ocean monitoring

We often hear about digitalization transforming industries, but how is it impacting ocean science? Dominique breaks it down:

• The Internet of Things (IoT) and robotics: Think of autonomous underwater drones as the Roombas of the sea—except instead of cleaning floors, they collect crucial ocean data. These drones return to docking stations to recharge and upload data, reducing the need for costly and high-risk human missions at sea.
• Automation and cloud computing: The ocean is vast, making real-time data collection a challenge. Advances in cloud computing and edge computing allow for more efficient data transmission, helping researchers monitor changes remotely and more effectively.

The environmental benefits of these technologies are significant. As Dominique points out, "With fewer research vessels needed at sea, we reduce our carbon footprint while still gaining critical insights."

AI, big data, and the digital twin of the Ocean

With vast amounts of data now pouring in from sensors, satellites, and autonomous devices, how do we make sense of it all?

This is where Artificial Intelligence (AI) comes in. AI helps detect anomalies, predict environmental shifts, and even trigger more detailed monitoring when unexpected changes occur.

One of the most exciting applications is the Digital Twin of the Ocean—a virtual model of ocean conditions that allows scientists to simulate different scenarios and predict future changes. While we have strong models for physical aspects like temperature and currents, biological and chemical modeling remains a challenge. AI is poised to change that.

Dominique highlights the importance of integrating data sources: "Satellite, IoT, and AI must work together. But the real challenge is ensuring consistency—are we measuring the same thing across different technologies?"?This question is key to making AI-powered predictions truly reliable.

The next frontier: Blue biotechnology and marine sensors

Beyond robotics and AI, another revolutionary field is emerging: blue biotechnology.?

This involves using living organisms to monitor ocean conditions. Imagine:

• eDNA (Environmental DNA) for biodiversity monitoring: Every organism leaves traces of DNA in the water. By analyzing eDNA, scientists can detect species presence and biodiversity levels without ever seeing the creatures themselves. This is especially crucial for assessing global biodiversity trends, as it allows researchers to understand which species are present in different marine environments without disrupting the ecosystem.
• Tracking endangered and invasive species: eDNA is also a powerful tool for detecting specific species, whether they are rare or a potential threat. Conservationists can use this technique to monitor endangered species, ensuring they are present in their natural habitats and not declining further. On the other hand, it also helps track invasive species that threaten native ecosystems. By detecting their presence early, mitigation strategies can be implemented to prevent widespread disruption.
• Bio-indicator species as natural sensors: Some marine animals, like mussels or crabs, react to pollutants in their environment. By monitoring their heart rates or movements, we can infer changes in ocean health.
• Bacterial factories for pollution detection: Certain bacteria react to specific pollutants, like oil spills or heavy metals. Scientists are even engineering bacteria to function as sensors, detecting contaminants in real-time. Bacteria that naturally break down hydrocarbons can indicate the presence of oil pollution, while others are being genetically modified to emit signals when exposed to hazardous chemicals.

The promise of "lab-on-chip" technology

Another groundbreaking innovation in ocean observation is the development of lab-on-chip?technology.

This concept involves miniaturizing laboratory processes onto small, portable chips that can be deployed directly into the marine environment. These chips can analyze chemical and biological properties of water samples in real-time, reducing the need to collect samples and transport them to laboratories for analysis.

By integrating lab-on-chip technology with autonomous ocean sensors, scientists could drastically improve the speed and efficiency of environmental monitoring. For example, these chips could detect pollutants, monitor bacterial activity, and even analyze water chemistry on-site.

Dominique emphasizes, "If we can combine lab-on-chip innovations with AI-driven monitoring, we will unlock an entirely new level of precision and responsiveness in ocean observation."

Space technology: Why satellites are key to ocean science

It might seem counterintuitive, but space plays a crucial role in ocean monitoring. Satellites provide a global?perspective, tracking surface temperatures, chlorophyll levels (a proxy for algae blooms), and even illegal fishing activities.

While satellites don’t capture deep-sea conditions, they complement in-situ observations, offering a broad-scale view essential for understanding ocean-wide trends.

The Importance of data consistency in ocean observation

One of the greatest challenges in ocean monitoring isn’t just gathering data—it’s making sure that data is consistent and comparable.?Are we measuring the same thing across different platforms? If an AI model is trained on data from one type of sensor but then fed satellite data, will it interpret it correctly?

Dominique explains, "One of the key challenges is ensuring that data coming from satellites, in-situ sensors, and AI models can be integrated seamlessly. Without consistency, the digital twin of the ocean will be unreliable."?In short, ensuring that measurements across different platforms align is crucial for making data-driven decisions about ocean health, sustainability, and conservation.

The road ahead: What’s next in ocean monitoring?

As we wrap up this deep dive, one question remains: what’s the next big thing in ocean observation?

For Dominique, the answer is clear: bacterial biosensors.?The ability to deploy living organisms as real-time sensors could revolutionize our ability to detect changes in the ocean, particularly in chemical and biological monitoring.

Want to hear more about these groundbreaking innovations?

This episode is packed with insights you won’t want to miss! Listen now and dive into the future of ocean observation.

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Marilou SUC

Blue Growth consultant & BlueTech Podcaster

https://www.blue-connection.com/en

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