Studying, understanding, educating and protecting,
An innovative tool serving the ocean
A twenty-first century odyssey
100% Science & Sport
The United Nations has proclaimed a Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021-2030). Iodysséus equips ocean racing sailboats specialized in marine aerosol capture and scientific mediation.
Follow us !
to study plankton blooms, a unique natural phenomenon
April—June 2019 | Mission accomplished!
Sailing journey: Bay of Biscay, Atlantic Ocean.
The Bay of Biscay borders the south coast of Brittany, the west coast of France, and the north coast of Spain. It is famous for its harsh sailing conditions.
20 to 24 April
Plankton bloom tracking done by immersion of two Euro Argo profilers
Calibration of onboard bio-chemical sensors
13 to 21 May
Sailing to the zone of plankton growth zone approximated with satellite images
Precise mapping of 1000km² area located at the centre of the bloom
30 May to Mid-June
Marine aerosol sampling above ocean surface at the centre the bloom to study plankton's impact on climate
Mapping of a large area spanning from the Brittany coast to the Northwest, up to the Celtic Sea)
Recovery of two Argo floats at sea
Studying plankton to predict the future
UNITED NATIONS AND UNESCO-INTERNATIONAL RECOGNITION FOR THE IODYSSÉUS PROGRAM
Meeting Pierre Amato, atmospheric microbiologist
Peter Landschützer Interview
Goal
Ocean racing
A high-performance racing trimaran — breaking international records, participating in events and races.
Goal
Research & Development
Outfitting the trimaran with plankton-observing atmospheric sensors able to deliver a huge amount of data on the biology of marine aerosols. Key to the understanding of their effects on climate and life on Earth.
Societal outcomes
Energy, climate, health, nutrition: the Iodysséus programme meets key expectations in terms of Corporate Social Responsibility.
Planktonic aerosols , a challenge for the 21st century
Plankton as a source of life
The planktonic ecosystem is at the origin of the marine food chain and climate.
Low estimate model
● A bio-resource option for the future
A major factor in climate regulation
billion organisms per litre of seawater
million tonnes of carbon each year absorbed up
Plankton in marine aerosols
An obscure influence in the oceanic carbon cycle
A molecular deposit of interest for tomorrow's bio-resources
An essential parameter unaccounted for in climate prediction models
A field of study headed up by NASA, Weizmann Institute, University of Maine, CNRS, and others...
An accelerator of colonization phenomena in new environments
A biological world existing both above and below the ocean’s surface
How boat racing can advance scientific research ?
Quality
Sailing is the only means of propulsion allowing for the collection of aerosol samples free from fossil fuel pollution
Economy
The ocean racing fleet, already funded and ready to launch, represents a substantial auxiliary scientific fleet while keeping costs down
Efficiency
Ocean racing totals three million km sailed every year, in very remote areas of the globe
Velocity
The fastest racing prototypes sail at wind speed, and thus are able to follow atmospheric systems carrying planktonic aerosols
Enrichment
With media coverage reaching an audience of 10 million people, ocean racing is a powerful means of raising awareness of worldwide issues
Symbiosis
For skippers, sailors, and sea lovers alike, the ocean is much more than a playground. The Iodysséus programme is the proof
IODYSSÉUS, a worldwide tour to the sources of life
The goal of Iodysséus is to understand the dynamics of a worldwide ecosystem:
Plankton has an essential yet obscure role in our climate, and thus is not included in current prediction models.
Our trimaran, outfitted with marine aerosol sensors, will be able to:
- Measure the biodiversity of microorganisms present in marine aerosols
- Understand plankton’s geographical distribution and its dynamics in the oceans
- Learn more about the ocean’s influence on the atmosphere to better understand our environment and the climate
- Prompt the development of sampling tools, meeting precise specifications, to be fitted on the ocean racing fleet
Programme
2018
Project Kick-off
- Development and field testing of sensors
- Communication on the project
- Presentation of the project at the Route du Rhum ocean racing event (3 million spectators)
- Fitting-out of the IODYSSÉUS vessel
2019
Proof of concept
- Chasing the bloom
- Ocean races in the North Atlantic
- Conferences, raising awareness during a tour across France’s harbours
- Delivery of the first exploitable results to our scientific network
Final prototype
2020
Races / new sampling tools release
- New expeditions campaign
- Brest International Maritime Festival
- Delivery exploitable results to our scientific network
2021 ...
New sampling tools
- International records campaign and preparation of a world tour across the Three Great Capes
- Delivery of sensors to ocean racing team
- Laboratories study & first results
The Iodysséus team
The Crew
An entrepreneur, a lawyer, an expert in new technologies, a teacher, a marketer, a sponsorship specialist, a doctor, a skipper: all are part of the team that founded the Iodysséus project. They share a common belief: the ocean may be the world’s greatest playground, but it is so much more. This is the Iodysséus concept – 100% Sport & Science – and they intend to share it with the world.
The Scientific Committee
Counting a biologist, an oceanographer, a physicist, a climatologist, a teacher, a researcher, and biotech company founders among its members, the committee brings together a wide range of skills, able to align our expedition programs with scientific needs. Fundamental and applied sciences are teaming up within the same consortium to simultaneously leverage knowledge and marine bioresources applications.
And you!
Your donations are essential for the success of this adventure.
Support scientific research by contributing to the Iodysséus programme
