The article discusses the environmental impacts of deploying innovative, autonomous smart buoys for marine monitoring. These buoys, notable for their compact size and lack of traditional mooring systems, are designed to minimize ecological footprints within marine ecosystems. Equipped with advanced propulsion systems, they can autonomously navigate and maintain stability in challenging sea conditions, making them ideal for monitoring coastal areas with heavy anthropogenic influence. The research introduces a new buoy design paradigm aimed at reducing environmental impact, incorporating essential sensors for monitoring and collecting water samples. A comprehensive life cycle assessment (LCA) was conducted using the Open LCA software and Ecoinvent database, adhering to ISO 14044 standards. This ‘cradle-to-gate’ assessment evaluates the production of the buoys, applying the ILCD 2018 method to assess a wide range of eco-sustainability indicators including global warming potential, human toxicity, and more. Following the assessment, the buoys were redesigned with a resulting reduction in emissions. The findings from the LCA are instrumental in optimizing the buoy’s design, enhancing efficiency, and reducing environmental impacts.
Towards Eco-Friendly Marine Monitoring: The Development and Environmental Impact Assessment of Autonomous Smart Buoys
Barbieri L.;Raffaele M.
2025-01-01
Abstract
The article discusses the environmental impacts of deploying innovative, autonomous smart buoys for marine monitoring. These buoys, notable for their compact size and lack of traditional mooring systems, are designed to minimize ecological footprints within marine ecosystems. Equipped with advanced propulsion systems, they can autonomously navigate and maintain stability in challenging sea conditions, making them ideal for monitoring coastal areas with heavy anthropogenic influence. The research introduces a new buoy design paradigm aimed at reducing environmental impact, incorporating essential sensors for monitoring and collecting water samples. A comprehensive life cycle assessment (LCA) was conducted using the Open LCA software and Ecoinvent database, adhering to ISO 14044 standards. This ‘cradle-to-gate’ assessment evaluates the production of the buoys, applying the ILCD 2018 method to assess a wide range of eco-sustainability indicators including global warming potential, human toxicity, and more. Following the assessment, the buoys were redesigned with a resulting reduction in emissions. The findings from the LCA are instrumental in optimizing the buoy’s design, enhancing efficiency, and reducing environmental impacts.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
