Researchers are exploring new methods to tag and track marine animals in order to study their movements and behavior, as well as gather important environmental data. Traditional tagging techniques rely on invasive physical anchors, suction cups, and rigid glues, which are effective for some marine animals but not ideal for more fragile species like squid and jellyfish. A newly developed soft hydrogel-based Bioadhesive Interface for Marine Sensors, or BIMS, offers a non-invasive, rapid, and versatile alternative for tagging a variety of marine species, including those that have been difficult to access in the past.
The BIMS technology, described in a recent journal article published in Nature Communications, allows researchers to better understand animal behavior, track migration patterns, and collect oceanographic data critical for studying climate change and resource management. With the ability to scale up for various applications and apply sensors to previously unmonitored animals, BIMS has the potential to enhance monitoring of oceanographic conditions, species habitat use, and overall animal behavior. The rapid adhesion of BIMS to animal tissues, forming strong physical and chemical bonds and conforming to the organism’s body shape, allows for quick tagging without causing stress to the animals or affecting data quality.
In tests on species with distinct tissues such as squid, skate, flounder, and lobster, BIMS was found to stay affixed to fragile aquatic animals for up to three days, enabling long-term monitoring of animal behavior. Researchers evaluated factors like interfacial toughness, adhesion stability, and shear and tensile strength, while also assessing potential disruption to animal behavior. The findings showed that animals quickly returned to their baseline behaviors after being tagged with BIMS, supporting its usability for tracking and monitoring marine species without causing significant disturbances.
The potential applications of BIMS go beyond monitoring animal behavior and oceanographic conditions. Researchers suggest that the technology could be used to provide medicine to sick or injured animals, including endangered species, by attaching multiple sensors to one animal to measure body kinematics. The interdisciplinary collaboration between engineering and marine sciences has played a key role in developing BIMS, paving the way for future advancements in sensor technology for studying fragile marine species. Overall, the research highlights the importance of innovative tagging methods in advancing our understanding of marine ecosystems and addressing concerns like climate change and environmental impact.
Funded by various organizations including the National Institutes of Health, National Science Foundation, Naval Sea Systems Command, and Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, this research underscores the value of investing in technology that enables researchers to study marine animals more effectively. By providing a non-invasive, rapid, and versatile method for tagging a wide range of marine species, BIMS offers new opportunities for studying animal behavior, migration patterns, and environmental changes in the marine ecosystem. This research collaboration between engineering and marine sciences sets a precedent for future advancements in sensor technology and marine biology research.
