BLOG: From Water Samples to Early Warnings: UTH’s One Health Work in ENHANCE

by enhanceonehealth | Jun 10, 2026 | Blog

Introduction

Coastal communities depend on healthy seas for food, recreation, local livelihoods, biodiversity and cultural identity. At the same time, coastal waters face increasing pressure from floods, urban runoff, agriculture, tourism, aquaculture and climate change. In ENHANCE, the University of Thessaly (UTH) team is working to turn local water-quality measurements, fish tissue analysis, satellite observations and modelling into practical information that can support coastal management.

The work focuses on the Pagasitikos Gulf, a semi-enclosed coastal system in central Greece that was strongly affected by the catastrophic floods in Thessaly in September 2023. The key question is simple: how can we understand whether a coastal system is recovering, and how can we provide earlier warning when water quality begins to deteriorate?

Section 1: A recent scientific milestone: a Coastal One Health framework

A milestone for the UTH team is the publication of a One Health (OH) framework for coastal areas (Ioannou et al., 2025b) bringing the gap identified in their earlier publication (Ioannou et al., 2025a). OH means looking at human health, animal health and ecosystem health holistically, rather than treating them as separate issues. This is especially important after extreme events. Flood runoff can change turbidity and salinity, carry nutrients or pollutants, affect fish and shellfish, and influence bathing-water quality. A coastal-management system should therefore look at the combined picture, not only at one variable such as chlorophyll-a or temperature.

Section 2: From local evidence to early warning

The first building block is field evidence. UTH collects water samples and in-situ measurements from the Pagasitikos Gulf to capture real conditions in the water. These measurements include pH, turbidity, salinity, sea surface temperature and laboratory-determined chlorophyll-a from water samples. Sampling is carried out at fixed stations and is coordinated with Sentinel satellite overpasses. Alongside the in-situ water-quality measurements, fish tissue analysis will also be carried out, adding an animal-health line of evidence to the OH assessment and helping link environmental conditions with biological information from the Gulf.

ENHANCE uses Copernicus and Sentinel data to produce high-resolution water-quality layers for coastal waters. For the Pagasitikos Gulf, satellite-derived values will be compared with UTH field and laboratory measurements. Linear and non-linear calibration models will be tested, because coastal waters can show complex relationships between sediments, algae, river inputs and shallow-water effects. The expected outcome is a better-calibrated set of satellite products for variables such as chlorophyll-a and turbidity, supporting faster detection of unusual water-quality changes across a wider area than field sampling alone.

Visual: UTH ENHANCE workflow from field sampling to early warning

Figure 1. UTH workflow for the Pagasitikos Gulf pilot, combining in-situ sampling, fish tissue analysis, Copernicus satellite data, One Health indicators and dynamic risk maps.

Section 3: Operational One Health indicators

The published framework provides the conceptual structure; the ENHANCE pilot is adapting it for operational use in the Pagasitikos Gulf. The current OH indicator will combine variables from three connected dimensions:

• Environmental Health: dissolved oxygen, turbidity, pH, precipitation, chlorophyll-a, salinity, sea surface temperature, nutrients and organic pollution indicators.
• Human Health: E. coli, intestinal enterococci, temperature, turbidity, dissolved oxygen, pH, river influence, nitrates, phosphates, salinity and chlorophyll-a.
• Animal Health: pH, salinity, chlorophyll-a, water velocity, mixed-layer thickness, dissolved oxygen, turbidity and fish tissue analysis.

These variables are weighted and aggregated into a composite signal. The purpose is not to reduce a complex ecosystem to a single number, but to create a clear, comparable indication that can support discussion, monitoring and action.

Section 4: Modelling scenarios and risk maps

UTH will also contribute through system dynamics modelling in STELLA Architect, an approach suited to representing interactions between environmental pressures and their impacts. For the Pagasitikos Gulf pilot, the model will link rainfall patterns, riverine inputs and water-quality changes with ecosystem stress, bathing-water risks and management responses. Sensitivity analysis will identify the parameters that most strongly influence system behaviour, while resilience analysis will assess the system’s capacity to absorb disturbances, maintain key functions and recover after events such as intense rainfall, stronger river inflows or sudden water-quality shifts. Future scenarios will test how the Pagasitikos Gulf responds to extreme events: will the system break, or will it bend and bounce back? This work will support evidence-based decision-making.

The risk-map methodology complements the water-quality early-warning system. It follows a simple climate-risk logic: risk increases where hazard, exposure and vulnerability coincide. Hazards may include flooding, storm surge, extreme rainfall or sea-level rise. Exposure refers to people, infrastructure, tourism facilities, agricultural land and ecosystems located in risk-prone areas. Vulnerability captures susceptibility and lack of adaptive capacity. The final outputs can be presented as 0-100 risk maps, highlighting hotspots where monitoring, preparedness or intervention should be prioritised.

Conclusion

UTH’s work in ENHANCE demonstrates how coastal monitoring can become more integrated, locally grounded and actionable. Field sampling and fish tissue analysis generate site-specific evidence; satellite data expand spatial coverage; One Health indicators provide a structured way to interpret environmental, animal and human health signals; and system-dynamics modelling and risk maps translate complex information into practical guidance for decision-makers. By bringing these elements together, ENHANCE supports a broader goal: resilient Mediterranean coastal areas where scientific evidence helps safeguard ecosystems, animal health, public health and local livelihoods. The Pagasitikos Gulf pilot is therefore more than a case study; it is a living example of how a One Health approach can support coastal recovery, preparedness and climate resilience.

Further reading

Ioannou, A.; Bataka, E.; Kokosis, N.; Billinis, C.; Laspidou, C. (2025a). One Health in Coastal and Marine Contexts: A Critical Bibliometric Analysis Across Environmental, Animal, and Human Health Dimensions. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 22, 1523. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph22101523

Ioannou, A.; Bataka, E.; Kokosis, N.; Kofinas, D.; Billinis, C.; Laspidou, C. (2025b). A Holistic One Health Assessment Framework for Coastal Areas. Sustainability, 17, 9359. https://doi.org/10.3390/su17219359

Ioannou, A.; Bataka, E.; Kokosis, N.; Patsioura, G.; Laspidou, C. (2025). Development of ENHANCE One Health Framework for Coastal Management. ENHANCE Deliverable 2.1, Horizon Europe grant no. 10113447.

Figure 2. On the first row from the left to the right: Alexandra Ioannou, Charalambos Bilinis, Chrysi Laspidou. On the second row from the left to the right: Evmorfia Bataka, Nikolaos Kokosis.

Author(s) Bio:

• Alexandra Ioannou: Postdoctoral Researcher, Department of Civil Engineering, University of Thessaly. Within ENHANCE, Alexandra is responsible for developing and operationalising the Coastal One Health framework and composite indicator. Her work also includes system-dynamics modelling in STELLA Architect, sensitivity and resilience analysis, and future climate-change scenario modelling, with the aim of translating scientific evidence into decision-support tools for coastal management.
• Evmorfia Bataka: Postdoctoral Researcher, Department of Civil Engineering, University of Thessaly. Within ENHANCE, Evmorfia is responsible for the development of sampling protocols and water-quality indices, the implementation of in situ sampling campaigns in Pagasitikos Gulf, laboratory analyses, the retrieval and processing of data from Copernicus and local monitoring platforms, and the development of calibration models for satellite-derived water-quality products using local in situ data.
• Nikolaos Kokosis: PhD Candidate, Department of Civil Engineering, University of Thessaly. Within ENHANCE, Nikolaos contributes to the development of a multi-hazard assessment framework for coastal communities, focusing on the establishment of a geospatial database, the quantification and spatial representation of coastal risk, and the creation of thematic maps that support the identification of vulnerable areas and the prioritization of decision-making.
• Charalambos Billinis: Professor, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Thessaly; contributes veterinary and animal-health expertise to the One Health perspective.
• Chrysi Laspidou: Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, University of Thessaly; leads and coordinates UTH scientific contributions to ENHANCE.

BLOG: Co-Creating Digital Solutions for Coastal Management with SingularLogic

by enhanceonehealth | Dec 5, 2025 | Blog

As SingularLogic, coordinators of the ENHANCE project and leaders in the co-design of its One Health toolkit, we are proud to share that the project has achieved one of its first key milestones: the identification of the use cases that will guide the toolkit’s development.

This milestone was reached through a co-creation methodology, built on a phased, iterative approach that places stakeholders at the heart of digital tool development for coastal management.

Laying the Groundwork Through Iterative Stakeholder Co-Creation

Our co-creation process began with groundwork: together with our project partners and stakeholders we defined user personas, which represent the diverse groups affected by coastal ecosystem challenges. These personas were then used to generate user stories—concise scenarios that articulate real needs and goals. Through workshops and multiple feedback loops, we refined these stories into concrete user requirements, ensuring that every aspect of the platform reflects the realities of those who will use it.

This participatory design is reinforced by multiple rounds of workshops, where stakeholders validate and prioritize requirements, test early prototypes, and provide input on usability and accessibility. The iterative nature of the process means that each phase builds on the last: initial user flows and service descriptions are enhanced through stakeholder feedback, and demo versions of the toolkit are subjected to structured usability assessments.

This ensures that the final product is not only technically robust but also intuitive and accessible to a wide range of users, from municipal officers and aquaculture professionals to educators and citizen scientists.

_{^{Figure 2: Co-creation session of Case Study 2 (Pagasitikos Gulf, Volos, Greece)}}

From Insights to Action: Identifying Eight Use Cases 

Thanks to this collaborative journey, we identified eight use cases representing key aspects of coastal management under the One Health framework. The first two use cases focus on visualization and monitoring: providing real-time water quality alerts and fostering citizen participation in environmental monitoring.

The next four address sustainable management and risk assessment, enabling stakeholders to visualize One Health indicators for urban beaches, support sustainable aquaculture, monitor protected areas, and generate dynamic coastal risk maps for policy regulation.

The final two use cases center on training and education, offering formal and non-formal learning tools that leverage real-world data and citizen science to build environmental literacy and support eco-tourism.

Building a Toolkit for the Future of Coastal Management

Together, these use cases illustrate the breadth and depth of the ENHANCE toolkit’s ambition. By weaving together stakeholder input, technical innovation, and a commitment to participatory design, the project is setting a new standard for digital solutions in coastal management.

The co-creation methodology ensures that every feature and function is shaped by those who will use it, resulting in a platform that is not only effective in addressing environmental and health challenges, but also inclusive, adaptable, and ready to evolve with the needs of its community.

Conclusion

Through an iterative, stakeholder-driven process, the ENHANCE project has built a solid foundation for its One Health digital toolkit. The eight identified use cases reflect real needs across monitoring, sustainable management, policy support, and education. By grounding every step in co-creation, ENHANCE is developing a toolkit that is practical, inclusive, and adaptable, and well-positioned to support the future of coastal management.

Author(s) Bio:

Antonia Vronti: R&D Project Manager, SingularLogic, bringing solid background in Social Sciences and experience managing a range of projects. She focuses on service co-design, organising and hosting workshops that bring stakeholders together for meaningful discussions on design, functionalities, and features. Her commitment to co-creation drives the development of user-centred solutions that meet stakeholder needs and deliver tangible outcomes.

Dr. Stamatia Rizou: R&D Manager, SingularLogic leading a multidisciplinary team in data technologies and AI applications. She holds an Electrical and Computer Engineering degree from NTUA and a PhD in distributed systems from the University of Stuttgart. With over 10 years of experience in EU-funded research, she has been a Marie-Curie fellow, co-supervised multiple PhD students, and currently coordinates and leads research in EU projects across various sectors. She has also served as an expert evaluator for the EU’s H2020 and Horizon Europe programmes.

BLOG: Barcelona’s Beaches Under the Lens: Local Sampling Supports Satellite Monitoring

by enhanceonehealth | Jul 23, 2025 | Blog

In mid-July, researchers from the Institut de Ciències del Mar (ICM-CSIC) teamed up with citizen science partners from Club Patí Vela de Barcelona for a coordinated field activity just off the coast of Barceloneta. The initiative was timed to coincide precisely with a Copernicus Sentinel-2 satellite overpass, allowing the team to collect in-situ water quality data at the exact moment the satellite captured imagery of the area.

By collecting water samples to measure chlorophyll-a (an indicator of algae levels) and assessing water transparency at the exact moment a Sentinel-2 satellite passed overhead, ENHANCE and its partners in the area are able to cross-check satellite images with real-world conditions. This approach helps validate satellite-based observations and strengthens the project’s One Health dataset for monitoring the environmental quality of Barcelona’s urban beaches.

To collect the data, the team used a mix of traditional and easy-to-build tools. One of them was the Secchi disk, a simple white or black-and-white disk that is lowered into the water to see how deep it goes before disappearing from view — a basic way to measure water clarity. They also used the KduPRO, a compact and affordable optical sensor designed for citizen science, which measures how sunlight fades with depth to estimate water transparency more precisely (measured as the diffuse attenuation coefficient, Kd). In addition, the team collected and filtered water samples to analyze chlorophyll-a levels in the lab, helping to validate the satellite images with detailed, ground-based data.

Carlos Rodero, a marine biologist and PhD at ICM-CSIC, specialises in marine optics and citizen science. He develops low-cost DIY sensors to monitor water clarity, making science more accessible. As he explains: “These instruments are ideal for participatory science because they’re simple enough for volunteers to build and use. They help multiply the eyes on the sea and fill in the gaps where traditional scientific monitoring can’t reach.”

Eva Fló, a marine biologist and PhD at ICM-CSIC, has been studying marine water quality and human impacts on the ocean for over 24 years. Since 2018, she has focused on using satellite imagery — specifically ocean colour data — to track key indicators of water quality. Speaking about her work in the ENHANCE project, she explains: “Close to the coast, it’s harder for satellites to give clear readings because the signal can be affected by things like detritus or macroalgae. This is especially true in the Mediterranean, which is a shallow and nutrient-poor sea. By collecting data on chlorophyll-a and water transparency (Kd) directly under the Sentinel-2 satellite path, we can verify what the satellite sees and improve our understanding of coastal health.”

These on-site measurements help confirm the accuracy of satellite data and make it easier to detect early signs of algal blooms, pollution events, or sudden changes in water clarity. This kind of information is crucial for protecting public health, marine ecosystems, and managing coastal areas. 

The sampling was made possible thanks to the support of the local partners, showing how even small businesses can play an active role in expanding coastal knowledge. Similar sampling campaigns are planned in the coming weeks and months, carefully timed with Sentinel-2 satellite overpasses — and always weather permitting — to continue linking satellite images with real-world conditions.

Want to know more about this case study? Check out the factsheet in English and Catalan!