Horizon Magazine · Health

AI dives into a sea of data, from plankton to pollution

Artificial intelligence is accelerating the analysis of vast amounts of aquatic data, enabling scientists to study microscopic organisms, track pollution, and monitor ecosystem health on an unprecedented scale. This technology is transforming research by processing data that was previously too time-consuming to analyze manually.

Scientists like Jean-Olivier Irisson are using AI to study plankton, which are crucial for marine ecosystems and climate regulation. Traditionally, identifying and classifying plankton from water samples is a slow and labor-intensive process. AI software can now process millions of images of individual organisms rapidly, opening new research possibilities.

The challenge of analyzing massive datasets extends beyond plankton. Underwater cameras and sensors generate more data than researchers can handle manually. The EU-funded iMagine project (2022-2025) developed AI tools to help aquatic scientists process and analyze large volumes of data from oceans, rivers, and lakes more efficiently. This faster monitoring allows for earlier detection of issues like plankton decline, litter accumulation, oil spills, and coral degradation.

AI's ability to analyze previously unmanageable datasets is a significant advantage. For instance, data collected over years or decades by underwater sensors can now be efficiently analyzed. This capability allows for new types of research and a deeper understanding of aquatic environments.

Researchers across 11 European countries applied AI to various aquatic challenges. In Austria, AI software was used to detect floating litter in lakes and rivers, helping to quantify pollution and plan clean-up operations. Elsewhere, AI analyzes underwater camera footage to identify fish species, track changes in ecosystems, and assess the impact of climate change or recovery efforts like artificial reefs.

The tools and data developed by the iMagine project are publicly available, allowing other scientists to build upon the work. This shared access model, typical of European research infrastructures, enables researchers to leverage advanced tools and expertise without starting from scratch. This approach supports broader European initiatives like the EU Mission: Restore our Ocean and Waters and the European Digital Twin of the Ocean, aiming to improve the health of marine and freshwater ecosystems and respond faster to environmental changes.

The new EU OceanEye initiative, launched in June 2026, will further enhance real-time monitoring of Europe's waters by integrating data from various sources. AI tools, like those from iMagine, will be crucial in transforming this data into actionable knowledge. AI is fundamentally changing scientific analysis, moving beyond traditional statistical methods and requiring science to adapt to new ways of working.

AI-samenvatting op basis van de bron.