A Closer Look at Coastal Waters
Summary:
AI Prize finalist Alizée Roobaert, a researcher at the Flanders Marine Institute, uses machine learning to map how coastal waters absorb carbon dioxide (CO₂). While oceans are known to absorb about one-quarter of human CO₂ emissions, coastal regions remain poorly understood. Roobaert combined satellite and in situ data with AI to generate highly detailed CO₂ maps—10 times more accurate than previous models. Her work helps clarify coastal waters’ role in the carbon cycle and supports better environmental decision-making. She’s now refining the method with higher-resolution maps and depth data to further enhance our understanding of oceanic carbon exchange.