Continuously monitoring coastal ecosystems at high resolution is one of today’s major scientific and technological challenges, especially in highly dynamic and complex areas such as the Basque coast. Obtaining real-time data on physical and biogeochemical parameters in a constantly changing environment requires overcoming the limitations of traditional sampling approaches.
Added to this is the need to move towards the decarbonisation of oceanographic research, promoting observation technologies that do not rely on fossil fuels and that reduce the environmental footprint of scientific operations.
Within the framework of the Pasaia Ocean Autonomy project, AZTI has incorporated the use of autonomous underwater gliders and autonomous surface vehicles (ASVs) to monitor the marine environment in a continuous and sustainable way.
These systems:
Operate for weeks without human intervention.
Collect real-time data over large areas.
Integrate multiparametric sensors to measure temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen, chlorophyll, turbidity and biomass.
Include advanced navigation, data transmission and maintenance protocols.
The combined use of gliders and surface platforms enables observation of both the underwater environment and the air–sea interface, following a minimal environmental impact approach.
Seven successful glider missions, covering more than 3,500 km in Cantabrian waters.
Generation of high-resolution time series, essential for understanding key oceanographic processes.
Data used to feed and improve predictive models, strengthening the strategic value of autonomous observation.
Progress towards low-carbon oceanography, promoting more sustainable scientific practices.
Pasaia Ocean Autonomy has become a strategic infrastructure for marine observation in the Cantabrian Sea, providing logistical, technical and scientific support for the deployment and recovery of gliders and ASVs.
Sectors: Maritime and port infrastructure, Offshore sector, Technology 4.0
Research lines: Blue Economy, Efficient, sustainable fisheries and aquaculture, Environmental management of seas and coasts, Operational Oceanography
Research sublines: Assessing the state of health of the marine environment, Coastal–Ocean Modelling, Fishery technologies, Impact and environmental vigilance in the marine environment, Real-Time Observation and Monitoring