Search the EPA Research Database

Project title

An exploitation of remote sensing CMEMS products for monitoring of transitional and coastal waters

Primary Funding Agency

Environmental Protection Agency

Co-Funding Organisation(s)

n/a

Lead Organisation

National University of Ireland Galway (NUIG)

Lead Applicant

Agnieszka Indiana Olbert

Project Abstract

Since mid-20th century there has been observed a continuous deterioration of their quality across Europe. Irish transitional and coastal (TraC) waters are threatened by the synergistic effects of multiple environmental pressures such as nutrient enrichment, oxygen depletion and acidification among others. An implementation of the Water Framework Directive (WFD) requires all surface waters in the EU to achieve at least good status; with just over 30% of transitional waters and 79% of coastal waters at good or high status, this requirement has not been achieved in Ireland. In this light, the monitoring of surface water environments, as required by WFD, is immensely important to understand and disentangle the effects of pressures and environmental change on aquatic ecosystems. However, conventional monitoring approaches based on in-situ data collection and laboratory analysis can be very expensive and time consuming while limited in terms of spatial coverage and temporal frequency. Additional source of data such as remote sensing data, which allow frequent surveys over large areas, can help to address problems associated with these complex interactions. Thus, as the Earth observation records become more available and accurate, the RS data have now the potential to provide an invaluable, cost effective complementary data for operational monitoring, optimization and assessment of surface waters. The overarching aim of the proposed AquaCop research project is to exploit Copernicus data to improve efficiency, accuracy and implementation of coastal water monitoring programmes. This will be achieved in a multiple-step process by (1) assessing the accuracy of available CMEMS products and (2) generating the location-specific optically active and inactive RS products in order to complement and optimize the existing monitoring programme, and ultimately by (3) developing and implementing the coastal water quality index (WQI) model for TraC waters to further support the monitoring programme and draw inferences about WQ and trophic status. This project will bring forward the RS data collection and usability into the 21st century, and improve the capacity of WQ monitoring programmes to take account of the highly complex spatial and temporal dynamics of TraC waters. The project will also generate a significant step forward in our understanding of nutrient cycling, water quality problems and environmental stressors/pressures on aquatic environment related to human activities including climate change. AquaCop will integrate optimized in-situ data with remotely sensed data streams to facilitate more accurate assessment of water quality and cost-effective management of WQ monitoring. The project will also propose the RS data-driven coastal WQI model that can support assessment of water quality in TraC waterbodies. Such comprehensive datasets will provide knowledge and evidence to be used for policy recommendations, water resource managements and to deliver risk management strategies and mitigation measures. As such the project outcomes will be of interest to TraC data users, ranging from scientists to water management professionals and the interested general public. In overall, this research is driven by legislation and binding international agreements which require informed responses on key environmental issues, and is a vital component in delivering on wider environmental, economic and societal ambitions.

Grant Approved

�347,210.80

Research Hub

Natural Environment

Research Theme

n/a

Start Date

31/03/2023

Initial Projected Completion Date

30/03/2026