The Research Group "Satellite Oceanography" of the Institute of Oceanography, University of Hamburg, is participating in the joint international project BLUEWATER, a 30-months investigation of marine pollution monitoring using video camera systems. Bluewater is partially funded by the European Commission's Information Society Technologies Programme, project number IST-1999-10388.

BLUEWATER uses video cameras and image analysis for cionstant monitoring/early warning of pollution in water. Anthropogenic/biogenic slicks (from hyydrocarbons, fish oil, algal bloom, bacteria etc.) löeave surface signatures by damping of wave motions which the system will detect in concentrations of 1 to 8 mg/m2. Suspended solids damp waves detectable at 100 mg/litre. The major random cause of high pesticide & heavy metal levels (5 to 7 orders of magnitude) is from accumulation by biogenic slicks, detectable as above. Pollutant presence detected by comparing wavescape with normalö water surface for similar conditions (wind, rain, tide, depth etc.) Experimental data gathered in tanks and open sea used to build image analysis algorithms. The project will offer sophisticated HCI and prediction and analysis functionality. Installations linked to riggedised display terminals on which web pages/video run for publicity/information.