Operational Biological Oceanography

Observe. Monitor. Manage. Protect.

The concentration of pigments (chlorophyll-a) in phytoplankton can be estimated using space-based sensors based on OCR (Ocean Colour Radiometry Technology). OCR is currently the only means of obtaining near-daily synoptic maps of the biological state of the ocean and coastal zones. Other water quality parameters can also be assessed from OCR if appropriate data processing methods are used. Suspended solids (SS), dissolved and detrital organic matter (CDOM), turbidity and water transparency are other examples of water quality indicators accessible from space. Thanks to its collaboration with ACRI-st, a sister company in France, ARCTUS offers operational services (multi-sensor fusion) for real-time monitoring of bio-optical variables on the ocean surface. In particular, these data can be used to model dynamic ocean habitats and applied in the context of aquaculture management, fisheries and even marine mammals (SIMBA).