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Content archived on 2024-05-27

Information system for Marine Aquatic Resource Quality

Objective

i-MARQ will deliver real-time information on coastal water quality into a variety of end-user markets, via a dynamic GIS-based system. The project will develop and validate advanced data fusion, modelling and management algorithms to generate high-quality data content. The system will support decision-making by various end-user groups including:
Citizens concerned about environmental quality in recreational waters;
Local authorities seeking a quality tourism cachet and wishing to avoid hazard to public health;
Companies seeking to validate environmental performance and avoid liabilities from pollution incidents.

Objectives:
The goal of the project is to develop and validate a prototype GIS-based system which can deliver information on environmental quality of coastal waters. Market analysis has identified a significant demand for such information by a variety of users. To achieve this, the project will:
First, develop data processing technologies able to generate information from heterogeneous data sources and dynamic models, according to defined user requirements;
Second, integrate the above within a real-time GIS under a scaleable data management framework;
Third, validate and evaluate the above with selected users and with reference to a dedicated horizontal user group.

Work description:
The project will be carried out in 10 main workpackages (WPs), of which:
WP1 will be dedicated to the management;
WP2 will develop a users' specification and establish evaluation benchmarks. This will enable;
WP3 to define the i-MARQ architecture and establish a technical specification for the system modules;
WP4, WP5 & WP6 will then develop the innovative technological modules which can generate the information content. Specifically, WP4 will define the data management protocols to permit data assimilation and characterisation; WP5 will develop data fusion algorithms, which can combine intermittent spatially rich image data with sparse ground-based data, and link with simulation algorithms. WP6 will configure imaging codes to generate grid data from satellite and video data sets;
WP7 will set up the above on a central i-MARQ server, and configure a commercial GIS suite to present water quality parameters with relevant user functionality, supporting access via web/wap browsers, intranet or messaging via email or GSM/UMTS;
WP8 will perform system test and launch a prototype system to pilot the technology, perform validation and identify opportunities for refinement;
WP9 will evaluate user responses to the pilot system against user-defined benchmarks;
Finally WP10 will disseminate results and progress to a wide range of potential beneficiaries, and develop an exploitation plan. In addition, WP2 and WP9 will work with a horizontal user group (HA1) comprising a wide range of users from: public authorities concerned about tourism promotion; companies seeking regulatory compliance and avoidance of incident liabilities; and public interest groups.

Milestones:
During 36 months the project will deliver:
1)Key technologies for creating high quality information content for the i-MARQ GIS;
2) An operational pilot i-MARQsystem delivering real-time geographic information in selected regions;
3)Validation of performance and evaluation report, leading to a robust commercialisation plan.

Call for proposal

Data not available

Coordinator

NATURAL ENVIRONMENT RESEARCH COUNCIL
EU contribution
No data
Address
POLARIS HOUSE - NORTH STAR AVENUE
SN2 1EU SWINDON
United Kingdom

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Total cost
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Participants (11)