The increase demand of oil, associated with the depletion of easily exploitable oil deposits is leading the oil industry to intensify the search for new oil areas and exploit deposits previously considered as economically unprofitable. These new oil research areas are mostly located in Arctic waters and in the "offshore" areas in deep waters. However, very few studies have investigated the biological impacts of oil contamination in these very specific areas. Practically, the research actions will estimate the potential synergistic effect of oil, warming and hypoxia on a key Arctic species, polar cod Boreogadus saida (Work package 1, WP1).The project will then will focus on the impacts of the soluble fraction of oil on the metabolism of deep benthic species, in particular Lophelia pertusa and Eurythenes gryllus (WP 2). WP3 will consist of an applied study in order to validate two experimental set-ups which could make possible the assessment of the impact of oil in deep-sea environments. Finally, WP4 will be devoted to provide recommendations to perform a relevant NEBA in Arctic and deep-sea areas. The complementarities between the applicant and the supervisors profiles, associated with partner organizations skills ensure the realization of this innovative project and the dissemination and exploitation of the different results.

Observing the oceans in coastal and deep offshore zones nowadays relies on coordinated deployments of multiple types of platforms equipped with multiple types of sensors. The ‘multiplatform’ approach is now recognized as the most relevant and cost-effective way to fully describe spatial and temporal oceanic variability for the needs of marine research, ocean observing systems (OOSs) and for the blue economy. Observing and monitoring biological communities (from plankton to fish) is still very challenging, but it is essential to unveil complex ecological processes and ultimately allow adequate marine environmental protection measures and a sustainable exploitation of the ocean. Underwater gliders equipped with novel optical and acoustic imaging sensors have a significant potential to collect and deliver ecosystem data, in particular in extreme environments like the Arctic ocean. Most of the technological building blocks to meet this challenge are available: extremely low power sensors, gliders and software for control and analyses, such as artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms, have been integrated and operated in coordination with other observing platforms, and open new perspectives for comprehensive observations in coastal and deep seas. BIOGLIDER addresses this scientific and technological challenge with an innovative and unique 'bio glider' integrated solution. Three smart devices, a vision profiler, a scientific echosounder and an acoustic modem will be integrated on commerciallyavailable gliders to provide a ‘smart’ service for zooplankton and fish ecology applications. It will be tested in Nordic seas and the Arctic ocean, meeting the needs of a wide range of customers, from research to the energy and fishery sectors. BIOGLIDER will develop this innovative marine technology expertise in Europe through a strong, organized public-private collaboration, leading to the only commercialized solution for a glider-based ecosystem payload available worldwide.