MariaBox
MARINE environmental in-situ Assessment and monitoring tool BOX
Due to growing concerns about the health of the oceans and their capacity to continue to
provide resources as well as associated risks to the human health, there is an increasing
demand for real-time monitoring of the environmental status of marine water quality and
the provision of early warning systems. Real-time in-situ monitoring of marine chemical
contaminants (including man-made pollutants and algal toxins) is of utmost importance
for the sustainable management and exploitation of the sea. MariaBox will develop
a wireless, portable marine environment analysis device, based on novel biosensors of
high-sensitivity, capable of repeating measurements over a long time for monitoring
chemical and biological pollutants. |
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The MariaBox project has 4 major steps. The
first step refers to producing a marine pollution-monitoring
device, based on new biosensors,
implemented as a set of autonomous
modules for the analysis of marine pollutants
and the assessment of water quality. The system
will be suitable for free floating devices,
buoys, ships, or to be used as a portable instrument.
Also, the project will develop novel biosensors
for monitoring 5 man-made chemicals
and 4 categories of microalga toxins. The | third step of development of MariaBox will be
a software platform and smartphone application
for the marine monitoring and Global
Ocean Observing System (GOOS) and Global
Earth Observation System of System (GEOSS)
data collection and distribution so to be almost
real-time available and interfaced to Global
Monitoring for Environment and Security (GMES)
services. Finally, MariaBox will prove the validity
of the system in real and varying conditions
in Norway, Cyprus, Ireland and Spain. |
The MariaBox platform will also provide technical
tools in order to support the National implementations
of the Discharge of dangerous substances
directive and the Water Framework Directive
that sets out 'Strategies against pollution of
water'. MariaBox will additionally emphasise on
reaching the general public and maximizing project
impact: 45 minutes of video material will
be developed for use in International Exhibitions
and TV documentaries including Euronews
Innovation Showcase. Multiple and sundry dissemination
actions, involving presentations in
8 conferences, participation in 5 Trade Fairs,
newsletters publication and social media actions
are also foreseen in the work programme.
Another key objective of MariaBox is to prepare
a cost effective solution to be exploited commercially.
The device design will be optimized
in cost, size, and power consumption to offer a
suitable solution for large-scale production by
the SMEs. |
The work plan has been structured to capitalize
on the individual skills of the partners, which
include: a) SMEs with expertise in mechanical
and industrial design and manufacturing, sensors
calibration, Geographic Information Systems
(GIS) platforms, web and mobile applications
development, electronics and communication
systems design and marine monitoring systems
integration, b) Universities, private companies
and research centres experts in biosensors and
their development and finally c) End-users with
access to demonstration sites. The participants
in the project will therefore work together to
form an integrated and committed partnership,
and the consortium will provide the best possible
combination of scientific and technological skills
to execute the work plan. |
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