MERO was an exploratory project that aimed to set up the basis for further research in the field of oil spill response agents (OSPA) and monitoring, bringing together expertise from two very distinct fields, namely robotic autonomous underwater vehicles AUVs and bioengineering systems. MERO’s goal was centred in the development and integration of the two complementary aspects:

1 To foster the development and manufacture of a biological oil spill response agent OSRA formulation with superior efficacy in enhancing oil biodegradation rates and an eco-friendly performance for marine life. Novel smart processes for green Biosurfactants production from wastes will explore specific features of microbial unconventional yeast cell factories, following biorefineries approaches using lignocellulosic waste materials as raw materials, to produce OSRA, contributing to a circular bioeconomy.

2 To foster the use of MAR tools, capable of not only probing the surface and underwater environments and thus to provide advanced monitoring of oil spill response in terms of emulsification efficacy and oil biodegradation and impact in biota, but also to deliver in-situ of biological ORSA emulsifiers, which is particular important for oil spills that originate underwater