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E-lab Ny Ålesund

Project title:
Establishment of remote environmental monitoring facilities at Ny-Ålesund and validation with ecological experiments
Framework:2006-2008

Main Objectives of the project:

  • To establish effective communication of biological sensor information between at least two laboratories (locations) remote from one another.
  • To develop a repertoire of simple biological tests methods that provide ecologically relevant information, the results of which can be evaluated in real time from a remote location.
  • Develop the necessary technology to deploy such methods in the field.
  • To expand our knowledge base on the physiology of marine organisms found in remote locations, such as the Arctic.
  • Provide a platform for training and monitoring over distance by using advance video camera facilities

Brief description:
The use of e-laboratories, (remote data reception and processing centres), offers a new dimension for receiving, assessing and responding to information gathered from the environment. The value of such facilities has already been recognised by COP with their successful drilling and operation centre developed at Tananger in Norway. Remote monitoring of marine biota provides a further opportunity to employ this technology to good effect. Increasing anthropogenic activity in environmentally sensitive marine areas is a major driver behind the urgent need to develop reliable systems that permit regular monitoring and documentation of ecosystem health status in remote aquatic habitats. The use of carefully selected methods in conjunction with real time analysis technology, fed into processing centres potentially hundreds of kilometres away, is a very strong candidate to fill this important role.

An ideal opportunity to pilot this approach has been presented by the construction of new environmental laboratories at Ny-Ålesund on Svalbard. Modern facilities and a good communication infrastructure at this remote location have permitted an evaluation of the suitability of a number of biological tests for use in remote monitoring.



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