On 4 September 2026, the OBSEA Underwater Observatory, welcomed the deployment of an innovative underwater gamma-ray spectrometer as part of the LoRa (Long-term Underwater Radioactivity Sensor Validation) project.

Led by PLOATECH, in collaboration with researchers from the National Technical University of Athens (NTUA) and the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI), the project was selected under the 2026 EMSO ERIC Physical Access Call.

The deployed instrument, gSPEC, was developed within the European RAMONES project and is designed to measure radionuclides directly in the marine environment. Over a planned six-month campaign, the team will evaluate its stability, reliability and performance under real underwater conditions.

Located at 20 metres depth off the coast of Vilanova i la Geltrú, OBSEA provides continuous power, real-time communications and remote access, enabling the long-term testing and validation of emerging marine technologies.

This deployment reinforces OBSEA's role as an EMSO ERIC Regional Facility and a testbed for innovative ocean technologies, supporting collaboration between research institutions and industry.

More information: LoRa project – PLOATECH | EMSO ERIC Physical Access