Last week, three U.S. Navy Saildrone drones began a six-month mission. During the period Drones will collect data from the coastal waters of the largest islands of Hawaiito measure the impact of climate change on the ocean environment.

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Surface explorer drones will collect marine data within a radius of up to 5 km, from the coasts of Maui, Oahu and Kauai. The US Navy Science Project will analyze pH and carbon dioxide, allowing researchers to better understand carbon dioxide buildup and water acidification. Saildrone drones can operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week with real-time data transmission to analytical laboratories.

University of Hawaii at Manoa oceanography professor Christopher Sabin explains that the oceans absorb about 30% of all CO2 emitted into the atmosphere. “We are seeing pH levels that are lower than those in the oceans, perhaps up to 20 million years ago. Many of these organisms that live in the ocean have evolved during a period of very stable pH, so we are changing the fundamental chemistry of the oceans by changing the pH,” commented Sabin.

drones drones

Three Saildrone drones will work together to analyze Hawaii’s waters. Two of them will zigzag along the coast of the islands within a radius of 5 km, and the third will sail on a direct and continuous route to the islands of Maui, Oahu and Kauai. The analyzes will build a pH map of the region.alerting researchers to points where there is more acidification.

The drones will navigate using a GPS system capable of analyzing wind and current. This way, they can automatically stay on course, regardless of the weather. By creating the map, the researchers will study how acidified water affects corals, oysters and crabs. “That’s the main effect we’re looking at – in this case for Hawaii – is the impact that ocean acidification will have on our coral reefs,” Sabin said. According to him, coral reefs are essential for tourism, coastal protection, cultural practices, and families in the region.

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Source: DroneDJ

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