The Marine Technology Competence Centre at TalTech Kuressaare College (MARTE) is developing a mobile rapid analysis system aimed at enhancing environmental monitoring in the coastal areas of the Baltic Sea.
The project „Enhanced Marine Monitoring and Mobile Rapid Analysis System“ focuses on developing a portable measurement and analysis kit that enables real-time data collection directly from the sea and on-site analysis.
The system includes sensors, a hyperspectral camera, and a data acquisition platform, allowing for the assessment of water and sediment composition and the detection of potential environmental changes. The development process also focuses on the automatic processing of collected data and pattern recognition using machine learning.
„Our goal is to make marine monitoring more efficient by modernising methodologies – specifically by creating an advanced technical solution that allows for sample analysis directly at the collection site,“ explains project manager Ruttar Teär. „The mobile system enables faster data processing, analysis, and comparison with previous results, providing a more accurate picture of the state of the sea and making marine monitoring more accessible and operational.“
One of the objectives of the project is to support the assessment of the composition and valorisation potential of bioresources, such as algae, by providing on-site analysis capabilities. This approach eliminates the risk of quality degradation in live samples during transportation and enables faster conclusions.
The project builds on the previous initiative „Effective Marine Monitoring in Sustainable Blue Economy“, which established the initial technical capabilities for seabed and coastal water monitoring at the college. In addition to supporting marine monitoring, the project also contributes to research and engineering education – the new solutions will be integrated into the college's curricula, allowing students to participate in fieldwork and analytical studies.
The information collected through this project will provide a valuable basis for future research and applications, including marine industry, aquaculture, and coastal area planning. The project is supported by the Environmental Investment Centre's marine environment programme.
