HyperBOOST: Hyperspectral Bio-Optical Observations Sailing on Tara

The 2-year project funded by The European Space Agency focuses on the validation of satellite data through in situ observations collected via the TREC (TRaversing European Coastlines) expedition around the European coast. 

Using new and existing instrumentation and sampling methods, the project will provide vital data for optically complex coastal waters to help monitor biodiversity.

Find out more about the project
 

Image credit: Kinga Lubowiecka/EMBL 

A scientific expedition to understand biodiversity and ecosystems along European coastlines

The European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) is leading the large pan European TREC (TRaversing European Coastlines) project which will sample at more than 120 coastal sites between April 2023 and June 2024, collaborating with The Tara Ocean Foundation together with The Tara Oceans Consortium and The EMBRC (European Marine Biological Resource Centre).

The expedition is utilising the 36 metre schooner Tara which has been adapted into a floating laboratory with an onboard wet laboratory. HyperBOOST has installed state-of-the-art sensors to validate satellite data in relation to coastal biodiversity. It is one of several sub-projects to the expedition that is utilising the floating laboratory to improve understanding of coastal ecosystems

About the expedition