What we do, we do with passion. We are always thrilled when our products help to make the lives of people, machines and systems easier. However, sometimes there are projects with Weidmüller involvement where our fascination literally comes in waves.
The initiative of the Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS) is such a project. The organisation is not only focused on man and machine, but also on saving one of the world's most important habitats: the coral reefs off the coast of Australia.
The Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS) has the goal to make a positive, measurable impact on the health of the oceans and to protect the coral reefs from the devastating effects of climate change. In doing so, the Institute is not only making an important contribution to environmental protection in Australia, but is also doing essential research work in the fight against climate change.
Coral reefs are one of the most diverse habitats on earth. Jellyfish, crabs, fish and sharks find shelter and hunting grounds in the colourful branches. The fish population is a source of employment and food for many millions of people. In addition, corals bind carbon dioxide, the most common greenhouse gas in our atmosphere. This means they can help to cope with the climate crisis and counteract the acidification of the oceans.
Climate change is causing devasting problems for the cnidarians. For example, rising water temperatures in the oceans are leading to serious coral bleaching. The far too high concentration of carbonic acid is also destroying the reefs.
On top of this comes the pollution of the oceans. Fertiliser washes excessive nutrients into the oceans. The result is an overgrowth of corals by algae. In addition, chemicals discharged into the water poison the sensitive animals.
The natural conditions are changing. This is impacting different aspects of the ecosystem and is increasingly damaging the coral reefs.
AIMS is simulating the changes that climate change is having on the oceans and coral reefs in the National Sea Simulator (SeaSim), the world’s largest aquarium research complex. Using large seawater tanks, scientists research the effects of environmental changes on corals and other tropical marine organisms.
In long-term experiments, factors such as light, temperature, acidity and salinity are varied and the influence of the changes is documented in a controllable environment.
The Sea Simulator provides researchers with important findings that help them understand changes and adaptations in marine organisms. Conclusions and measures can be derived to protect corals and oceans from the effects of climate change.
AIMS also does research at sea: the organisation has ships with fully equipped laboratories that can also be used to conduct experiments on the high seas. This allows them to study the physical and biological properties of different habitats directly in the field.
Saving a habitat threatened by climate change with the help of scientific research: the AIMS project is extremely important. We couldn't be happier that Weidmüller products are contributing to the project – and thereby linking automation and science.
Various parameters need to be able to be flexibly changed at any time in the SeaSim pools in order to simulate the real-life conditions of the coral reefs. This is where our I/O system u-remote helps to control variables such as the temperature and supply of water. This is not a trivial task by any means: even the smallest changes in water temperatures can determine the success or failure of expensive experiments. Reliable, automated transmission and monitoring of signals and data are therefore of great importance.
In addition, u-remote is used to control special LED lights developed by AIMS. These simulate the large colour spectrums that occur in the reefs. Besides u-remote, AIMS also uses managed switches and switching power supplies of the PROtop performance class.
u-remote
Managed Switch
PROtop power supplies
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Watch our film on the collaboration with the Australian Institute of Marine Science now!