School Projects for Monitoring the Marine Environment
Explore Marine MonitoringImagine if the ocean could speak. What would it tell us about its health? While it doesn't use words, it communicates constantly through changes in temperature, chemistry, and the creatures that call it home. The marine environment, our planet's blue heart, is under unprecedented stress from climate change, pollution, and coastal development. Marine monitoring is our way of listening—the science of collecting data to understand these vital signs 2 5 .
The ocean absorbs about 30% of the carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere, which leads to ocean acidification—a major threat to marine life with calcium carbonate shells or skeletons.
The good news is that you don't need to be a seasoned scientist to contribute. From the shoreline to the classroom, students worldwide are embarking on projects to monitor ocean health, providing valuable data to their communities and researchers. This article explores how school projects are becoming a powerful force in safeguarding our shared seas, turning learning into action and students into the next generation of ocean guardians.
Marine monitoring involves tracking a wide array of environmental parameters to assess the health of ocean and coastal ecosystems. Scientists and environmental managers use this data to characterize and monitor environmental quality, especially in areas where human activities pose a risk of adverse impacts 2 .
The drivers for this critical work are more urgent than ever. Human development is altering our climate, leading to temperature increase, deoxygenation, and acidification in the oceans. These changes trigger ecosystem shifts, habitat and species loss, and the spread of invasive species 2 . Coastal development brings more direct impacts like habitat destruction, pollution, and overexploitation of resources 2 .
Global policies and actions to protect the ocean "would only work with data and scientific information feeding into it."
Understanding marine environmental status requires scientifically sound assessments based on quantitative monitoring 3 . However, inconsistencies in monitoring programs, methodologies, and data quality have presented challenges for informed policy decisions across Europe and beyond.
To address this, the European Commission's Joint Research Centre has launched initiatives to improve and harmonize marine biodiversity monitoring across European waters 3 . Through collaborative workshops involving scientists, policymakers, and stakeholders, they are working to create more standardized approaches. This harmonization is crucial because, as Professor Yaacob Ibrahim of Singapore notes, "Marine issues cannot therefore be managed by one country to safeguard our shared seas. Close collaboration, sharing of knowledge, expertise and data are essential" 5 .
Marine monitoring relies on specialized equipment tailored to measure specific parameters. The table below outlines key tools used by researchers, many of which have student-friendly alternatives.
| Equipment | Primary Function | Application in Monitoring |
|---|---|---|
| MESN Buoy | Real-time seawater quality monitoring | Houses multiple sensors for over 30 parameters including temperature, salinity, and pH 5 |
| Acoustic Camera | Underwater imaging in turbid water | Monitors fish behavior and assesses collision risk with marine structures 6 |
| Hydrophone | Underwater noise measurement | Records sound levels to assess noise pollution from ships and marine energy devices 6 |
| Water Sampling Bottles | Collecting water samples at specific depths | Gathers samples for laboratory analysis of nutrients, pollutants, or DNA |
| Plankton Nets | Filtering microscopic organisms from water | Collects plankton samples to assess ecosystem health and biodiversity |
| DNA Extraction Kits | Isolating genetic material from samples | Enables analysis of environmental DNA (eDNA) to identify species presence 4 |
Choose tools based on monitoring goals and budget constraints
Ensure accuracy by calibrating sensors before deployment
Follow standardized protocols for consistent measurements
To understand how marine monitoring works in practice, let's examine the Triton Field Trials (TFiT), a comprehensive research program conducted by the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory with support from the U.S. Department of Energy 6 . This initiative aimed to develop and test advanced, cost-effective environmental monitoring technologies specifically for marine energy applications—devices that harness energy from waves, tides, and ocean currents.
The central goal was to reduce uncertainty about potential environmental impacts of marine energy devices, which has been a significant barrier to their development. As TFiT researchers noted, "Uncertainty of what will happen to the environment when an ME device is deployed leads to lengthy project-review periods" 6 . By creating reliable monitoring methods, TFiT aimed to make clean energy development safer for marine ecosystems.
The TFiT research focused on four primary environmental concerns: collision risk, underwater noise, electromagnetic fields (EMFs), and changes in habitat 6 . The methodology for each stressor followed a systematic process:
Researchers identified appropriate monitoring technologies for each stressor. For example, they used underwater acoustic imaging cameras to study collision risk in turbid waters where conventional cameras fail 6 .
Technologies were deployed at various marine energy test sites including Alaska's Tanana River and Portsmouth Memorial Bridge in New Hampshire 6 .
Researchers followed established frameworks where possible, such as the International Electrotechnical Commission's technical specifications for underwater noise measurements 6 .
Based on findings, the team created practical recommendations for future monitoring campaigns, emphasizing cost-effectiveness and data transferability across different sites and devices 6 .
The TFiT yielded specific, actionable insights for each monitored stressor:
| Stressor | Key Finding | Scientific Importance |
|---|---|---|
| Collision Risk | Acoustic cameras effectively detect fish in turbid water but have limitations in target classification, especially with fast-moving fish 6 | Provides empirical data on fish behavior around energy devices, informing more accurate risk models |
| Underwater Noise | Following established technical standards ensures data comparability; recording at night reduces interference from boat traffic 6 | Creates reliable baselines for noise pollution and validates predictive models |
| Electromagnetic Fields (EMFs) | Magnetic fields from power cables persist even when electrical components are shielded 6 | Identifies a persistent potential stressor that requires further study for impacts on marine life |
| Changes in Habitat | Marine energy devices may create new habitats that increase biodiversity or cause biodiversity loss 6 | Highlights the dual potential of marine infrastructure to harm or help ecosystems |
"Armed with the data and knowledge from marine monitoring, we can better position ourselves to be more resilient to the challenges ahead, especially with the uncertainty of climate change."
The significance of these findings extends beyond marine energy. They demonstrate how rigorous scientific monitoring can transform uncertainty into knowledge, enabling better decision-making for all types of ocean development.
Inspired by large-scale efforts like the Triton Trials, here are practical marine monitoring projects adaptable for school settings:
Using affordable test kits or portable sensors, students can measure fundamental parameters like temperature, pH, salinity, and dissolved oxygen at local beaches or estuaries. By collecting data regularly at the same locations, classes can track changes over time and correlate them with weather events, seasons, or human activities.
Beginner Level Field WorkStudents can conduct visual surveys of intertidal organisms during low tide, documenting species diversity and abundance. For a modern approach, classes can partner with research institutions that provide environmental DNA (eDNA) sampling kits—like the EasyPrep Marine DNA Kit used by scientists 4 —to detect species presence through genetic material in water samples.
Intermediate Level Lab WorkTeams can document and categorize debris along shorelines, contributing data to national and international databases. This project combines environmental science with statistics and can include creative components like art installations from collected non-toxic debris to raise community awareness.
All Levels Community EngagementMany established marine monitoring programs welcome student participation. Classes can join initiatives like those run by the Marine Environment Sensing Network, which deploys buoys with sensor suites for real-time seawater quality monitoring 5 .
All Levels Collaborative| Parameter | What It Measures | Why It Matters | Basic Method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Temperature | Heat energy in water | Affects oxygen levels, metabolic rates of organisms | Digital thermometer |
| pH | Acidity or alkalinity | Ocean acidification harms shell-forming organisms | pH test strips or meter |
| Salinity | Salt concentration | Influences organism distribution and buoyancy | Refractometer or hydrometer |
| Dissolved Oxygen | Oxygen available to aquatic life | Low levels can create dead zones | Chemical test kits or sensor |
Marine monitoring represents one of our most powerful tools for understanding and protecting oceanic ecosystems. From sophisticated government-led initiatives to classroom projects, these efforts collectively contribute to the preservation of our blue planet. As Dr. Jani Tanzil of the National University of Singapore observes, the data gathered allows us to position ourselves "to be more resilient to the challenges ahead, especially with the uncertainty of climate change and other environmental disturbances" 5 .
The journey of marine science begins not in distant oceans, but in local waters, in classrooms, and in the curiosity of students. By starting small—testing local water quality, surveying tide pools, or reducing plastic waste—you become part of the global effort to safeguard our shared seas. The ocean's pulse is in our hands; let's listen carefully and respond with action.
"My biggest takeaway from the workshop is learning about the theory of change and the process of developing actionable solutions starting from the impact that we want to make."