What is molluSCAN-eye®?
molluSCAN-eye® is an innovative biosurveillance solution that uses connected mollusks—like sentinel oysters, mussels, and scallops—to monitor water quality in real-time, 24/7. This eco-responsible technology taps into the natural behavior and well-being of living organisms to detect pollution effects on aquatic environments. Instead of relying on traditional chemical analyses that often take time and resources, molluSCAN-eye® offers continuous, remote, and maintenance-free biomonitoring. It’s a breakthrough approach designed to protect biodiversity and aquatic ecosystems by providing daily health reports of the environment through a group of 16 connected mollusks living right in their natural habitat.
Main Benefits of molluSCAN-eye®
Why is this technology a game-changer? Here are some key facts and figures that highlight its impact:
- 24/7 continuous monitoring of aquatic environments without the need for on-site maintenance.
- Real-time alerts triggered by changes in the behavior, growth, or biological rhythms of mollusks.
- Cost-effective compared to traditional chemical water analyses.
- Easy to implement for industries, communities, and institutions managing natural or port areas.
- Accessible results available on PC and smartphones, making communication with stakeholders and the public straightforward and transparent.
- Detects silent, insidious pollution before it escalates into serious environmental damage.
How Does molluSCAN-eye® Work?
The technology is pretty fascinating. Connected mollusks are placed in the aquatic environment to be monitored. These animals naturally react to changes in water quality—whether it’s pollution or other disturbances. By tracking their behavior and health, molluSCAN-eye® creates a daily health profile of the environment. This data is then visualized through colored emojis, trend curves, and longitudinal profiles, making it easy for users to understand the current state of the water. If something’s off, the system sends an alert, signaling that the water quality might be compromised. It’s like having a living, breathing sensor network under the water.
Who Can Benefit from molluSCAN-eye®?
This solution is perfect for a wide range of users. Industries such as ports, oil platforms, refineries, construction sites, offshore wind farms, wastewater treatment plants, and chemical factories can all use molluSCAN-eye® to evaluate and control their environmental impact. Likewise, institutions responsible for managing natural reserves or port areas find it invaluable for sustainable aquatic resource management. The ease of deployment and the fact that it requires no human intervention once installed make it especially attractive for ongoing environmental monitoring efforts.
Origins and Vision Behind molluSCAN-eye®
molluSCAN-eye® was born in 2006 at the marine station of Arcachon, developed within a laboratory of the National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS) and the University of Bordeaux. Since then, it has evolved into a forward-thinking startup with a clear business-oriented and eco-responsible vision. The project combines scientific rigor with practical application, aiming to revolutionize how aquatic environments are monitored and protected worldwide. It’s a perfect example of science meeting sustainability.
Project Impact on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
- SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation – Ensures the availability and sustainable management of water quality.
- SDG 14: Life Below Water – Protects aquatic ecosystems and biodiversity.
- SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure – Promotes innovative environmental monitoring technologies.
- SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production – Encourages industries to monitor and reduce their environmental footprint.
- SDG 13: Climate Action – Supports efforts to mitigate pollution and protect natural habitats.
Why molluSCAN-eye® Matters Today
In a world where aquatic pollution often goes unnoticed until it’s too late, molluSCAN-eye® offers a proactive, reliable, and eco-friendly way to keep tabs on water quality. It empowers industries and institutions to act responsibly and transparently, fostering trust with the public and stakeholders. Plus, by using living organisms as natural sentinels, it respects the environment while delivering critical data. It’s not just technology—it’s a step toward smarter, more sustainable stewardship of our precious aquatic resources.
