Citizen Bio-Optical Observations from Coast- and Ocean and Their Compatibility with Ocean Colour Satellite Measurements

• Published in: Remote sensing (Basel, Switzerland) Vol. 8; no. 11; p. 879
• Main Authors: Busch, Julia A, Bardaji, Raul, Ceccaroni, Luigi, Friedrichs, Anna, Piera, Jaume, Simon, Carine, Thijsse, Peter, Wernand, Marcel, Vander Woerd, Hendrik J, Zielinski, Oliver
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Basel MDPI AG 2016
• Subjects: aquatic optics; citizen’s applications for earth surveillance; Coastal environments; Complement; data repositories; Devices; DIY; emerging technologies; incentives to mobilize the crowd; interoperability; Oceans; open access; open labware; Remote sensing; Satellites; smartphones; Water quality
• ISSN: 2072-4292; 2072-4292
• DOI: 10.3390/rs8110879

Marine processes are observed with sensors from both the ground and space over large spatio-temporal scales. Citizen-based contributions can fill observational gaps and increase environmental stewardship amongst the public. For this purpose, tools and methods for citizen science need to (1) complement existing datasets; and (2) be affordable, while appealing to different user and developer groups. In this article, tools and methods developed in the 7th Framework Programme of European Union (EU FP 7) funded project Citclops (citizens' observatories for coast and ocean optical monitoring) are reviewed. Tools range from a stand-alone smartphone app to devices with Arduino and 3-D printing, and hence are attractive to a diversity of users; from the general public to more specified maker- and open labware movements. Standardization to common water quality parameters and methods allows long-term storage in regular marine data repositories, such as SeaDataNet and EMODnet, thereby providing open data access. Due to the given intercomparability to existing remote sensing datasets, these tools are ready to complement the marine datapool. In the future, such combined satellite and citizen observations may set measurements by the engaged public in a larger context and hence increase their individual meaning. In a wider sense, a synoptic use can support research, management authorities, and societies at large.