PROTECTING UNDERWATER CULTURAL HERITAGE
The Tyrrhenian waters of the Gulf of Naples have long held a secret: an ancient Roman city lost to time over 1800 years ago like Atlantis. It was once renowned for its vacation spots frequented by wealthy Romans, who flocked there en masse and built opulent villas along the shoreline in Baiae. While thriving as a strategic large ship port, seismic activity beneath the surface caused much of this grandiose settlement to sink into obscurity below sea level.
Today its part underwater archaeological parks, and its 435 acres are open to visitors wanting to explore the remains of the ancient Roman city. It’s a protected marine area the site and needs to be monitored for damage caused by divers and environmental factors.
However, having a communication network underwater is challenging. So Underwater Cultural heritage of Italy partnered with WSENSE.
With the advances in technology, scientists at WSENSE have been able to use AI algorithms to develop networks of acoustic modems and underwater wireless sensors capable of collecting environmental data and transmitting it to land in real-time. This has opened up a number of new possibilities for protecting underwater cultural heritage sites, such as historical shipwrecks, sunken cities, and ancient settlements.
Using the AI network developed by Davidde and Chiara Petrioli’s team, it is possible to monitor these underwater sites remotely and in real-time. The system has the capability to rapidly adapt its protocol based on changing sea conditions, allowing for signals to travel up to two kilometers. By using this system, researchers are able to keep track of changes in salinity levels, water temperature, wave patterns, and noise levels which could potentially damage the cultural heritage site over time.
AI network monitors several other activities occurring underwater. For example, it can study the effects of climate change on marine environments by measuring ocean acidification levels and tracking regions affected by algae blooms. Additionally, scientists can use this system to monitor underwater volcanoes and detect any potential activity that may lead to an eruption.
The implications of having an efficient way of communicating wirelessly underwater are multifaceted; it can protect underwater cultural heritage sites and understand how marine ecosystems function and evolve. This system’s advantages are recognized in Italy, where it is successfully deployed at several archaeological sites.
Scientists continue their efforts to develop more effective ways of protecting underwater cultural heritage with the help of AI networks like W•SENSE project. Using these systems, researchers can monitor changes occurring beneath the sea level without having to intervene or physically risk damaging these precious historical sites. With further development, we can expect even greater improvements that will aid us in preserving our valuable underwater cultural heritage for generations to come.
The underwater application of IoT and AI has several applications. This AI use case can be expanded to but not limited to, Offshore Oil & Gas, Mineral Mining, Energy Production & Efficiency, Defense, Aquaculture, Archeology & Cultural Heritage, Underwater Environmental Monitor, and diving exploration.
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