COASTAL OCEAN WATCH

At the interface between the ocean and the mainland, coastal waters are characterized by their high organic production. These rich and complex ecosystems are under pressure
of natural and anthropogenic (i.e. human) origin that undoubtedly affect the quality

of coastal waters, the preservation of which is essential for ecological,

economic and societal reasons.

Monitoring and assessing the evolution of coastal waters is fundamental to identifying areas where significant changes are occurring, so as to prioritize appropriate actions for their preservation. In this context, satellite observation of the ocean now makes it possible to collect a range of physical and biological parameters on spatiotemporal scales inaccessible to traditional in situ measurements. Among the various parameters that can be observed from space, the measurement of water color provides qualitative and quantitative information on the biogeochemical composition of surface waters.

Against this backdrop, the Coastal Ocean Watch project, involving researchers and engineers in remote sensing and ecology, has been developed around one main objective:
Assessing and analyzing temporal changes in the quality of European coastal waters over the past 20 years using spatial remote sensing of water color.
To do this, we will use appropriate algorithms coupled with satellite observations to estimate certain biogeochemical parameters, providing relevant information on the water quality and trophic status of European coastal waters. The time series of these various marine parameters will then be analyzed using appropriate statistical tools to define their main temporal trends over the last 20 years. As the preservation of marine biodiversity is closely linked to environmental monitoring, this project will provide essential information to decision-makers so that they can take appropriate measures to stabilize and/or enhance natural biodiversity.