SENSOR ANTI- FOULING
During the last 20 years, marine monitoring stations have been developed to collect data for calibration of satellite observations and coastal water quality assessment. Most are surface buoys or subsurface moorings, and are now equipped with sophisticated sensing equipment, which is subject to biofouling. The long-tem quality of measurements may therefore be questionable due to biofouling issues in the short-term.
The protection of the sensing area of the sensor is a concern that has been addressed during the last decade, and operational solutions are now implemented on commercial equipment used for long-term deployments. NeXOS will apply an innovative monitoring technology that will detect the earliest stages of biological growth on sensor surfaces so that biofouling can be effectively prevented. This will reduce maintenance costs, increase the quality of data collected (reduction of biofouling-related interferences), and avoid unnecessary introduction of potentially harmful chemicals in the environment.