Problem
Oil-derived pollutants are one of the most serious threats to ecosystems. What makes the problem even more pressing is that petroleum pollution is not limited to the large-scale tanker spills we see on the news – it’s primarily the invisible, small-scale discharges in inland surface waters, closest to our everyday lives. Current monitoring in Poland relies mostly on lab tests – accurate but slow and geographically limited.

Key outcome & results
Fluorescence-based detection makes it possible to identify petroleum compounds instantly and at very low concentrations. Unlike lab tests that take days, it enables real-time, on-site screening, capturing the hidden discharges that usually go unnoticed. This shifts monitoring from reaction to early prevention. By lowering the barrier of speed and accessibility, fluorescence opens the door to expanding monitoring coverage from isolated sampling points to entire water systems.

Solution
FLOW is a floating station that collects samples, and the results are uploaded in real time to desktop and mobile apps, where they can be viewed by researchers, institutions, and local communities. A buoy-like form ensures durability, visibility, and easy deployment. FLOW turns complex water monitoring into actionable knowledge.