Marine drones to decode the planet’s “blue lung”
The Antarctic Ocean, a crucial carbon sink, is one of the least studied regions on Earth. To address this gap, Schmidt Sciences has launched a $45 million project deploying marine drones capable of operating in extreme conditions. The goal is to gather unprecedented data on the carbon cycle and understand how the oceans regulate the global climate.
Private Investment Addressing Data Gaps
Human activities release millions of tons of carbon dioxide annually, with the Antarctic Ocean capturing about 40% of it. However, limited access hinders observations. Schmidt Sciences’ funding aims to bridge this gap using autonomous technology for continuous measurements, even in winter.
Drones Reaching Where No One Can
The project will employ Unmanned Surface Vehicles (USVs) guided by artificial intelligence to optimize data collection on CO₂ and other crucial variables. These drones can adapt to dynamic changes in Antarctic currents and winds, unlike buoys and floats.
Partnerships in Times of Budget Cuts
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) will collaborate operationally on the project, while maintaining independent administrative management. This public-private partnership comes at a time of significant budget cuts in U.S. science and climate research, highlighting the need for alternative financing avenues.
All data collected will be publicly available. Researchers like Galen McKinley and Eileen Hofmann stress the importance of gathering information in winter when critical carbon cycle transformations occur. This initiative showcases how collaboration between private technology and basic science can enhance global understanding of climate.
