ATLANTIDA II - Observatório costeiro do Atlântico Norte de Portugal

Atlântida II aims to strengthen and expand coastal monitoring initiatives in Northern Portugal by creating the North Atlantic Coastal Observatory of Portugal. Building on the original Atlântida project, it will promote integrated, multidisciplinary monitoring of the coastal zone up to at least 12 nautical miles, supporting sustainable management and protection of marine ecosystems.

Led by the UNorte.pt consortium (UPORTO, UMINHO and UTAD), the project will characterise the region’s physical, chemical and biological environments, map seafloor morphology and sediments, and provide essential data for conservation, marine spatial planning and compliance with EU directives. This is especially important in a region facing pressures from economic activities (navigation, fisheries, aquaculture, offshore energy) and climate change, and which remains historically under-sampled.

Atlântida II will establish an integrated monitoring network using advanced sensor systems, biological and chemical sampling, satellite data, and high-resolution numerical modelling, supported by the DEUCALION supercomputer. This will enable detailed assessments of coastal conditions, pollution impacts, biodiversity patterns and climate-related risks.

The project is organised into five R&D activities covering:

1.      Ocean and coastal monitoring (topo-bathymetry, geological characterisation, sensor networks, habitat mapping).

2.      Ecosystems and biodiversity (chemical analyses, pollutant monitoring, eDNA-based biodiversity assessment).

3.      Biobanking of biological and genetic material to support long-term conservation and comply with international regulations.

4.      Climate change modelling and evaluation of impacts on ecosystems and offshore infrastructure.

5.      Creation of the North Atlantic Observatory as a decision-support tool, integrating multidisciplinary data for policymakers, industry, and environmental managers.

The project will provide training, co-development workshops, and international data sharing through networks such as EMBRC, EMODNET and OBIS. Ultimately, Atlântida II positions Northern Portugal at the forefront of marine and coastal monitoring, contributing to sustainable development, blue bioeconomy growth, and improved resilience to climate change.