New cost-effective, interoperable sensors tested on existing ocean observing platforms in application of European directives: The COMMON SENSE European project

The European COMMON SENSE project aims to support the implementation of European Union marine policies such as the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD). The project has been designed to directly respond to requests for integrated and effective data acquisition systems by developing innovative sensors that will contribute to our understanding of the functioning of marine environments. It aims to develop and provide cost-effective and multi-functional innovative sensors to perform reliable in-situ measurements in the marine environment. The core project research will focus on increasing the availability of standardised data on: eutrophication; concentrations of heavy metals; microplastic fraction within marine litter; underwater noise; and other parameters such as temperature and pressure. This paper will shortly describe the new systems that are developed and the different approaches used during the testing activities.