GOMESA Application Details
- Internal Project Number
- 271388
- 1. Title of Project
- The Bloom Array: Implementation of Autonomous Mineral Prospecting & Coastal Infrastructure Resilience
- 2. Location of Project
- Copy: Gulfport, Harrison County, and Mississippi Sound Coastal Waters
- 3. Requesting Organization
- Planetary Ocean Defense Systems Corp (PODS)
- 4a. Name
- Jason P Sonnier
- 4b. Position
- 4c. Phone Number
- 2285747144
- 4d. Fax Number
- 4e. Address Line 1
- 1740 Courthouse Road
- 4e. Address Line 2
- 4e. City, State Zip
- Gulfport, MS
- 4f. Email
- calyxocean@gmail.com
- 5. FundingRequested
- $400,000
- Awarded Amount:
- 6. Other State or Federal Funding Sources
- No
- 7a. Amount of Additional Funds
- 7b. Source of Additional Funds
- 8. Total Project Funds Amount
- $400,000
- 9. Project Description/Overview
- The Bloom Array project deploys a fleet of autonomous 'Calyx' drones and 'CCS' seismic sensors to modernize Mississippi's subsea infrastructure management. Utilizing a patented, bio-mimetic G-Chitocore resin, the system's electronics are fully encapsulated ('potted') to eliminate toxic metal pressure vessels, allowing the units to function as artificial reef substrates for oyster and coral growth. The fleet features the 'Ocular Pearl', a proprietary transient-optic sensor housing made of purified chitosan and silk fibroin that provides high-clarity data transmission but biodegrades via enzymatic hydrolysis at the end of its lifecycle. This 'Smart-Skin' system monitors pipelines for leaks and corrosion while mapping 'Blue Carbon' sites, ensuring a 100% zero-trace footprint that actively restores the benthic habitat.
- 10. Project Goals/Objectives
- Objective 1 (Fabrication): Establish a local manufacturing partnership (utilizing Gulfport-based composites facilities) to fabricate the initial "Alpha Fleet" of 5 Calyx autonomous drones and 2 CCS seismic sensor nodes using the patented GChitocore resin. Objective 2 (Infrastructure Validation): Conduct a 6-month field trial in the Mississippi Sound to validate the "Smart-Skin" capability, demonstrating the system's ability to detect structural anomalies (corrosion, stress fractures) in subsea pipelines. Objective 3 (Zero-Trace Prospecting): Prove the efficacy of the "Pulse-Laser" extraction method to harvest critical mineral samples without creating sediment plumes or disturbing the benthic ecosystem. Objective 4 (Data Delivery): Provide the Department of Marine Resources with a high-resolution "Blue Carbon" map of the pilot zone, identifying areas of high sequestration potential to support state coastal restoration planning.
- 11. Which of the following authorized uses set forth in the GOMESA Act does this project fall under?
- (A) Projects and activities for the purpose of coastal protection, including conservation, coastal restoration, hurricane protection, and infrastructure directly affected by coastal wetlands losses
- Yes: This project directly addresses the protection of "infrastructure directly affected by coastal wetland losses." As Mississippi’s coastal wetlands erode, subsea pipelines become increasingly exposed to strong currents, storm surges, and anchor strikes, creating a high risk of environmental disaster. The Bloom Array project mitigates this risk by deploying a "Smart-Skin" monitoring system that strengthens existing infrastructure against corrosion and physical impact. By preventing pipeline failures, we protect the surrounding coastal marshes and fisheries from toxic contamination. Additionally, the drone fleet actively monitors coastal erosion rates in real-time, providing data essential for targeted restoration efforts.
- (B) Mitigation of damage to fish, wildlife, or natural resources.
- Yes: Traditional subsea infrastructure maintenance and resource extraction often rely on heavy dredging and physical intervention, which create sediment plumes that suffocate benthic habitats and disrupt local fisheries. The Bloom Array mitigates this damage by utilizing a "Zero-Trace" precision methodology. Our "Pulse-Laser" technology allows for mineral sampling and infrastructure repair without physical contact with the seafloor, preserving the integrity of seagrass beds and coral zones. Additionally, the fleet is equipped with eDNA sensors that actively monitor biological diversity, allowing the Department of Marine Resources to detect environmental stressors—such as hypoxic zones or invasive species—in real-time, preventing potential fish kills before they occur.
- (C) Implementation of a federally-approved marine, coastal, or conservation management plan.
- Yes: This project directly supports the implementation of the Gulf of Mexico Alliance (GOMA) Governors’ Action Plan IV, specifically addressing the 'Water Resources' and 'Habitat Resources' priority areas. The Bloom Array provides high frequency, autonomous monitoring of water quality parameters (temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen) and benthic habitat conditions that are critical to the plan's success. Furthermore, the project aligns with the NOAA Blue Carbon Strategy by identifying and monitoring submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV) and seagrass beds. The data collected will be formatted to integrate directly with federal conservation databases, filling critical gaps in current management plans for the Mississippi Sound.
- (D) Mitigation of the impact of Outer Continental Shelf activities through funding of onshore infrastructure projects.
- Yes: This project deploys "Dual-Use" infrastructure that functions simultaneously as a monitoring network and an artificial reef system. Unlike traditional steel subsea equipment which degrades and pollutes, the Bloom Array utilizes a bio-mimetic GChitocore resin structure. This material is chemically designed to recruit oyster spat and support coral polyp attachment, effectively turning every deployed sensor node and pipeline sleeve into a micro-habitat. This approach mitigates the impact of industrial presence by actively restoring the benthic surface area and providing shelter for juvenile fish species, offsetting the habitat loss caused by dredging and erosion.
- 12. Project Timetable/Milestones
- Phase 1: Procurement & Design (Months 1-2) Finalize schematics and procure raw Chitin/Graphene materials. Establish Joint Production Agreement with Seemann Composites for mold tooling. Phase 2: Fabrication & Assembly (Months 3-4) Vacuum-infusion (SCRIMP) of the G-Chitocore hulls and "potting" of sensor cores. Assembly of 5 Calyx Units and 2 CCS Nodes. Phase 3: Integration & Testing (Month 5) Dry-lab testing of Pulse-Laser safety parameters and calibration of eDNA arrays. Phase 4: Field Pilot (Month 6) Deployment in Mississippi Sound. Live-fire test of non-invasive sampling and "Blue Carbon" data collection. Phase 5: Final Reporting (Month 7) Submission of performance data and environmental impact report to MDMR.
- 13. Project Timing
- Short-term
- 14. Current status of architectural/engineering plans & specifications for this project (if applicable):
- In Progress Funds Not Budgeted
- 15. In what way does this project meet the goals and objectives of the Department of Marine Resources, which includes enhancing, protecting and conserving the marine interest of Mississippi for present and future generations?
- This project directly supports the MDMR's mission to 'enhance, protect, and conserve' by introducing a 'Zero-Trace' technology that balances economic growth with strict environmental stewardship. Unlike traditional industrial methods that degrade the coast, the Bloom Array enhances the Blue Economy by creating high-tech manufacturing jobs in Gulfport. It protects marine interests by deploying 'Smart-Skin' sensors that prevent pipeline leaks and toxic spills. Finally, it conserves natural resources by utilizing a biodegradable, reef-building drone design that actively restores oyster habitats for future generations.
- 16. Estimated Years To Completion
- 1
- 17. Estimated Completion Date
- 12/31/2026
- Budget:
- Salaries,Wages, Fringe
- $47,000
- Travel
- $8,000
- Architecture & Engineering
- $182,000
- Legal
- $8,000
- Consulting
- $27,000
- Construction
- Site Work
- Equipment
- $128,000
- Indirects
- Other
- Total
- $400,000
- Application Submission Date
- 01/30/2026
- Fiscal Year
- 2027
- Project Status
- Application Status
- Submitted
- Meets Criteria
- Internal Notes:
- Attachments:
- https://gomesa.dmr.ms.gov/attachments/GOMESA_1388_COMPLETE.pdf
- Hyperlink:
- Attachments