Improved Existing and Emerging Technologies
Coastal systems are highly dynamic both from a physical and a biological standpoint. They are also highly heterogeneous in space. Coastal ecosystems are also highly productive and more exposed to human perturbations relative to their open ocean counterparts. There are therefore several key issues for the quality improvement of a European observatory of coastal ecosystems.
The first issue is dealing with the improvements and the development of new tools and sensors allowing for:
(1) The measurements of a new set of parameters (including biological ones, which cannot be overlooked in the above mentioned context),
(2) A better precision of already available measurements (e.g., in relation with the monitoring of rising threats such as ocean acidification),
(3) The automation of parameter’s acquisition, which will allow for operating at higher frequency and on wider geographical scales. This last point is also important in view of reducing the time lag between raw data measurements and the delivery of relevant end products (i.e., in developing operational observatories).
A second key issue is dealing with the use and the development of platforms allowing for the optimal deployment of sensors. This includes emerging profiling technology, gliders and ships of opportunity.
A third and last key issue is dealing with the establishment of a sound implementation strategy for long-term coastal observatories. It includes the definition of:
(1) Sets of parameters which are to be monitored,
(2) Key sites where such monitoring should take place,
(3) Temporal and spatial sampling strategy within each of these sites.
Objectives To examine the extent to which existing technologies can be improved and/or adapted to the benefit of coastal operational oceanography and to document and test emerging technologies that will underpin future operational oceanographic systems in Europe’s coastal seas. The work package is sub-divided into tasks including:
– New tools and strategies for monitoring key biological compartments and processes – Development of new physico-chemical sensors.
– Use of emerging profiling technologies for coastal seas.
– Increased use of ships of opportunity in making coastal oceanographic measurements. Best practices in coastal observatory implementation.
