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769836072
Stage2_ESONET_version3_06feb2006In red: additionnal text to phase 1 and remarks from
Paris meeting.
Proposal full title:
European Seas Observatory Network
Proposal acronym:
ESONET
Sub-Priority 6.3 –
Global Change and Ecosystems
AREA VI: Operational forecasting and modelling including global
climatic change observation systems
VI.1 Development of observing and forecasting systems
VI.1.1 European underwater ocean observatory system
Type of instrument:
Network of excellence (NoE)
Co-ordinator name Co-ordinator organisation name Co-ordinator e-mail and fax –
Roland Person
IFREMER
[email protected]
or [email protected]
+33 2 98 22 46 50
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
B.1. Confidential proposal summary and objectives ...................................................................................................... 4
B.1.1. Main changes between the first and second stage proposals
B.1.2. Overall objectives, overcoming fragmentation and restructuring of research in Europe
B.1.3. Achieving a lasting integration
B.1.4. Appropriateness of using a Network of Excellence
B.1.5. Excellence and appropriateness of the partnership, structure of the consortium and overall management
structure
B.1.6. Potential impact on long-term structuring training, education and spreading excellence
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B.2. Relevance to the objectives of the Global Change and Ecosystems sub-Priority ................................................. 6
B.2.1. Aims & Objectives
6
B.2.1.1. Scientific Objectives .................................................................................................................................... 6
B.2.1.2. Environment and Security Operational Objectives ...................................................................................... 9
B.2.1.3. Technical Objectives .................................................................................................................................. 11
B.2.1.4. Societal and Policy objectives .................................................................................................................... 11
B.2.2. Appropriateness of using a NoE : generation of knowledge
12
B.2.3. Appropriateness of using a NoE : reduction of fragmentation, and creation of a progressive and durable
integration of the EU research capacities
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B.2.4. Appropriateness of using a NoE : overall structure of NoE and its various components
13
B.3. Potential impact ....................................................................................................................................................... 14
B.3.1. Overcome the fragmentation of subsea observatory research in Europe
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B.3.1.1. Disciplinary boundaries ............................................................................. Error! Bookmark not defined.
B.3.1.2. Geographical boundaries............................................................................ Error! Bookmark not defined.
B.3.1.3. National ...................................................................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
B.3.1.4. Legal .......................................................................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
B.3.1.5. Institutional ................................................................................................ Error! Bookmark not defined.
B.3.1.6. Technological ............................................................................................. Error! Bookmark not defined.
B.3.1.7. Operational................................................................................................. Error! Bookmark not defined.
B.3.1.8. Education and Outreach ............................................................................. Error! Bookmark not defined.
B.3.2. Integration.
Error! Bookmark not defined.
B.3.3. Contribution to generation of knowledge.
15
B.4. Degree of integration and the Joint Programme of activities .............................................................................. 17
B.4.1. General description of the JPA
17
B.4.2. Integrating activities
18
B.4.2.1. WP1- Networking ...................................................................................................................................... 18
B.4.2.2. WP2 – Standardisation and interoperability of sensor systems (hard and software requirements) ............ 20
B.4.3. Programme for jointly executed research activities.
25
B.4.3.1. WP3 - Observatory design related to scientific objectives ......................................................................... 25
B.4.3.2. WP4 - Demonstration missions .................................................................................................................. 25
B.4.3.3. WP 5 Implementation Strategies ................................................................................................................ 29
B.4.4. Activities to spread excellence
31
B.4.4.1. WP 6 Socio economic users ....................................................................................................................... 31
B.4.4.2. WP 7 - Education and outreach .................................................................................................................. 33
B.4.5. Management activities
35
B.4.5.1. WP8 Organisational, management and governance structure ................................................................... 35
B.4.5.2. Executive Committee ................................................................................................................................. 35
B.5. Description of the consortium and of the excellence of the participants ............................................................ 38
B.5.1. Give evidence of the endorsement of the organisations involved of the intended resources sharing and
structural and organisational changes arising from the implementation of the JPA.
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B.5.2. Give evidence that the appropriate level of decision making within each organisation is actively involved and
committed.
38
B.6. Quality of the integration ........................................................................................................................................ 40
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B.7. Organisation and management .............................................................................................................................. 41
B.8. Joint Programme Activities – first 18 months ...................................................................................................... 42
B.8.1. Integrating activities– first 18 months
42
B.8.1.1. WP1 ........................................................................................................................................................... 42
B.8.1.2. WP2 ........................................................................................................................................................... 42
B.8.2. Programme for jointly executed research activities– first 18 months
43
B.8.2.1. WP3 ........................................................................................................................................................... 43
B.8.2.2. WP4 ........................................................................................................................................................... 43
B.8.2.3. WP5 ........................................................................................................................................................... 43
B.8.3. Activities to spread excellence – First 18 months
43
B.8.3.1. WP6 – Socio economic users – First 18 months ........................................................................................ 43
B.8.3.2. WP7 ........................................................................................................................................................... 44
B.9. Description of the resources necessary to implement the joint programme of activities .................................. 45
B.10. Other issues ............................................................................................................................................................ 46
B.10.1. Ethical issues
B.10.2. Policy issues
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B.11. Gender issues ......................................................................................................................................................... 47
B.11.1. Gender Action plan
B.11.2. Gender issues
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NoE List of activities ....................................................................................................................................................... 49
Workpackage list (18 months) ....................................................................................................................................... 50
Deliverables/milestones list (18 months) ....................................................................................................................... 52
Workpackage description (18 month plan)................................................................................................................... 54
Ethical issues checklist .................................................................................................................................................... 64
Appendix A Evaluation criteria
Appendix B ESONET NoE Member organisations
Appendix C Regional observatories
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B.1. Confidential proposal summary and objectives
TO COMPLETE
B.1.1. Main changes between the first and second stage proposals
Consistent with the letter of 13 December 2005 from the EC, there were no significant changes
made to the rationale and basic ideas of the present proposal relative to the first stage proposal. The
changes we made either follow from EC instructions in the above letter, or suggestions from the
first stage reviewers as stated in the Consensus report. Some organisations from candidate eastern
countries were added to the consortium. They are from Bulgaria, Romania and Turkey. Other
changes are the contribution of more small and medium enterprises to the network.
B.1.2. Overall objectives, overcoming fragmentation and restructuring of research in Europe
The aim of the ESONET Network of Excellence is to create an organisation capable of
implementing, operating and maintaining a network of multidisciplinary ocean observatories in
deep waters around Europe from the Arctic Ocean to the Black Sea. The NoE will structure the
resources of the participating institutes to create the necessary critical mass, remove barriers and
through a joint programme of activities arrive at durable solutions for this future organisation.
The ESONET observatories will provide information on global change, warnings of natural hazards
and a basis for sustainable management of the European Seas. They will be a sub-sea segment of
the GMES, linked to the INSPIRE GEO-portal.
A network of observatories around Europe will lead to unprecedented scientific advances in
knowledge of submarine geology, the ecosystem of the seas and the environment around Europe.
Very rapid advances in technical knowledge are anticipated. This will place European SMEs in an
excellent competitive position for installation of such systems around the world. Our efforts will be
part of a system extending around the world in co-operation with Japan, USA and Canada.
The NoE will work towards establishing sea floor infrastructure which will provide power for
instruments and real-time two-way data communications. The latest sub-sea cable technology is to
be used together with non-cabled systems for flexibility. Key areas around Europe have been
identified from which specific targets are selected for relevant science programmes of potential
hazards, geo hot spots and ecosystem processes. Sea floor infrastructure will provide platforms for
instrumentation deployed throughout the water column and the geosphere below.
These ambitions are to be realized with new, advanced organisational structures linking scientific
institutes, industries, governments and agencies throughout Europe and initiate integration
processes. The NoE will erect that framework.
B.1.3. Achieving a lasting integration
The integration process of ESONET NoE, a permanent effort during the project, will be based on :
. building up active groups sharing their means, knowledge and methods,
. acting as one body towards funding institutions (including EC), stakeholders, potential users
and similar international projects,
. jointly acting for a strong cooperation with other networking efforts in ocean sciences, ocean
technology and ocean data management (GEOSS, MERSEA, SEADATANET, GMES,
EUR-OCEANS),
. Establishing adequate relations with the above (knowledge or data provider, cooperation,
complementary scientific goals, complementary sea or subsea intervention means,…),
. Proposing the infrastructure policy of subsea observatories in Europe.
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Networking quality and standardization will be driving the integration. From the beginning of the
project, the aim of lasting integration on a set of ESONET CORE SERVICES and ESONET
REGIONAL NETWORKS linked for their implementation scheme as well as for a scientific and
technical improvement process in harmony.
The seminars, tests, common negotiations and above all demonstration missions will strengthen the
integration process and allow iteration on the malfunctioning.
In parallel to this integration effort of the Consortium, the economical and legal studies will provide
basis for the business plans of:
. each regional network, including its specific constraints and opportunities,
. core services at European scale.
We plan to build as early as possible and during the last 16 months at the latest, the structure(s) able
to manage such organisation in the long run.
The 4 levels of decisions are: regional, national, European and, for the core services, potential
extension to third countries or regions.
ESONET NoE Consortium will ask its Executive board to tend to promote a unique management
body. It will be done in such a way that its integration in an European Agency would be legally
eased.
B.1.4. Appropriateness of using a Network of Excellence
The overall objective of ESONET NoE is the lasting integration of European research on deep sea
observatories. Over the initial 4 years, the approach will be to merge the programmes of Member
Organisations, through (i) research and technological activities addressing the scientific objectives
and (ii) networking activities specially designed for integration, spreading excellence and
management. Standardisation efforts as well for hardware developments as for data managements
will be conducted at international level with other organisations involved in observatories
implementation, mainly in US, Canada and Japan.
B.1.5. Excellence and appropriateness of the partnership, structure of the consortium and
overall management structure
B.1.6. Potential impact on long-term structuring training, education and spreading
excellence
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B.2. Relevance to the objectives of the Global Change and Ecosystems sub-Priority
B.2.1. Aims & Objectives
B.2.1.1. Scientific Objectives
B.2.1.1.1 Introduction
Oceans exert a pervasive influence on Earth’s environment, for example, they represent an
important regulator of climate change (e.g., IPCC, 1995). It is therefore important that we learn how
this complex system operates (NRC, 1998b; 1999). Understanding the link between natural and
anthropogenic processes and ocean circulation is essential for predicting the magnitude and impact
of future changes in Earth’s climate. In this respect, the knowledge of deep water circulation close
to seafloor (i.e., water currents at the Benthic Boundary Layer) is a fundamental objective. More
generally, understanding the interactions between ocean, biosphere and geosphere (lithosphere, and
solid earth below), leading to natural hazards (e.g., tsunami, seismicity, submarine landslides) or
environmental changes (e.g., sea-level, ecosystem changes, greenhouse gas budget) is one of the
main challenges for the next decades.
The establishment of a global network of seafloor observatories will help to provide the means to
accomplish this goal. These observatories will have power and communication capabilities and
provide support for spatially distributed sensing systems and mobile platforms. Sensors and
instruments will cover the whole water column, potentially extending the observation capabilities
from below the seafloor up to the air-sea interface. Seafloor observatories will also be a powerful
complement to satellite measurement systems by providing the ability to collect vertically
distributed measurements within the water column for use with the spatial measurements acquired
by satellites while also providing the capability to calibrate remotely sensed satellite measurements
(NRC, 2000).
It is now clear that to answer many important questions in the ocean and Earth sciences, a coordinated research effort of long-term investigations is required. Experiments and research
programmes, from the 1980s to the present, reflect the progressive enhancement of monitoring
systems in the ocean basins. During this time we have witnessed the achievement and strengthening
of the concept of “seafloor observatories” and the technical evolution of earlier, quite simple, standalone mono-disciplinary instrumented modules into more complex multi-parameter platforms with
extended lifetime and performance. Much of seafloor observatory research is interdisciplinary in
nature and has the potential to greatly advance the relevant sciences. To obtain further advances,
long time-series measurements of critical parameters, such as those collected using seafloor
observatories, are needed to supplement traditional seagoing investigations (NRC, 1998a; 1999;
2003c).
Seafloor observatories could offer Earth and ocean scientists new opportunities to study multiple,
interrelated processes over time scales ranging from seconds to decades. Scientific processes with
various time scales should benefit from data collected by seafloor observatories. These include: a)
episodic processes; b) processes with periods from months to several years; c) global and long-term
processes. Episodic processes include, for instance, eruptions at mid-ocean ridges, deep-ocean
convection at high latitudes, earthquakes, and biological, chemical and physical impacts of storm
events. Category “b” includes processes like hydrothermal activity and biomass variability in vent
communities. The establishment of an observatory network will be essential to investigate global
processes, such as the dynamics of the oceanic lithosphere and thermohaline circulation.
Such an increase in sampling capability will result in major advances across a range of scientific
disciplines:
Physical Oceanography, Circulation, Water Masses, Ice Cover, Climatology
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Geosciences, Geohazards (earthquakes, slope stabilities, tsunamis), Plate Tectonics, Sedimentary
processes, Fluids seeps and Vents,
Biology, Biogeography, Ocean Productivity, Living resources, Biodiversity & Hot Spots
Non-Living resources, Energy- hydrocarbons, Renewable & C02 sequestration, Mining/deposition
B.2.1.1.2 Physical oceanography processes
Ocean circulation connects all basins around Europe. There are several locations of global
significance within the ESONET area where sustained in situ observations need to be monitored.
Change in water mass properties in terms for example of temperature, salinity, oxygen, carbon and
major nutrients that is important for marine resources around Europe. Change in large scale
circulation in terms of transport of heat and matter that is influencing an important for regional and
global climate.
B.2.1.1.3 Role of the deep water ocean in Climate
Deep water circulation (benthic currents) are generally quite disregarded in traditional
oceanographic studies. Most of oceanographic moorings deployed in Mediterranean Sea, for
example, were not designed to monitor deep basins.
Notwithstanding, deep basins are today recognised as key sites controlling regional circulation, and
warming trends have been detected by ad hoc benthic moorings (Fuda et al., 2002). Moreover, the
benthic boundary layer circulation has an important role on carbon cycle being either a potential
sinking or transition zone for carbon coming from shallower zones or from the lithosphere. It is
essential to fully resolve many scales of variability and this requires nested, complementary and
multidisciplinary observing systems.
B.2.1.1.4 Fluids, Natural resources and Life in the Ocean Crust
Although ocean chemistry is greatly influenced by the movement of fluids through oceanic crust,
the processes controlling this flow are poorly understood. Three different environments are
important for research on fluids and life in the oceanic crust and sediments: ridge crests and flanks,
active convergent margins, and passive margins (sedimentary basins). Natural resources, like
hydrocarbons (fluids or hydrates) are widespread in the sedimentary basins, but their
characterization and time evolution (also perturbed by oil industry activity) is not fully understood.
Within each of these environments, it is critical to determine the nature and the linkages among
tectonic, thermal, chemical, and biological processes at different temporal and spatial scales.
Previous observations of fluids related to the ocean crust have been made mainly by deploying
single, short-duration experiments that stored data rather than transmitted information in real time.
To make significant advances, it is essential to observe co-varying processes by making large-scale
simultaneous collections of measurements over a variety of time scales. Furthermore, real-time data
collection through seafloor observatories is essential, as it will allow scientists to respond to unusual
events or modify experiments if necessary.
B.2.1.1..5 Dynamics of Oceanic Lithosphere and Imaging Earth’s Interior
Geoscience research in the oceans is moving beyond the exploration and mapping of the seafloor
and is focusing on the dynamics of the solid Earth system and the interaction of geological,
chemical and biological processes through time. Many of Earth’s dynamic tectonic systems will be
difficult to understand fully without continuous observations provided by the establishment of
seafloor observatories. These include the complex magmatic and tectonic systems at ridge crests
and submarine volcanoes; the genesis of destructive earthquakes and tsunamis and their
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relationships to large-scale plate motions, strain accumulation, fault evolution, and sub-surface fluid
flow; the geodynamics of Earth’s interior and the origin of Earth’s magnetic field; and the motion
and internal deformation of lithospheric plates.
Geophysical observatories have long been an integral component of Earth science research on land;
advances in technology and our understanding of the oceans now make it feasible to establish longterm observatories on the seafloor. The scientific objectives that can be addressed particularly with
geophysical data from long-term ocean-bottom observatories include two broad subject areas: Earth
structure and natural hazards.
B.2.1.1.6 Sedimentary processes
Basic research, gashydrates,… geohazards in 2.1.2 (Pierre?Bruno?)
B.2.1.1.7 Biology
Europe is surrounded by five contrasting oceanic biogeographic zones as defined by satellite
remote sensing of sea surface chlorophyll distribution 1: ARCT with non-permanent ice cover;
SARC influenced by surface warm water from the Atlantic including the highly productive Barents
sea fishery area. NADR with the biggest seasonal change in chlorophyll concentration anywhere in
the world’s oceans and dominating the climate of western Europe; NAST with lower productivity;
MEDI –resembles the subtropical Atlantic in its pattern of productivity whereas the Black Sea is
strongly influenced by freshwater inflow from rivers and is anoxic below 80-200m depth.
ARCT
NADR
Mid-
Atlan
tic
Ridg
e
SARC
MEDI
NAST
1
African pla
European and
tes subduction
A.Longhurst, Ecological Geography of the Sea. San Diego, CA. Academic Press. 1998
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Studies at the sea floor interface have become multi-disciplinary as the interaction between venting
of fluids and specialised biological communities living on the sea floor has been elucidated.
Oceanic areas around Europe comprise a remarkable variety of such vent habitats, from mud
volcanoes, pock marks, seeps, and carbonate mounds, to hydrothermal hot vents at the mid-ocean
ridge. It is thought that the biodiversity of related ecosystems and of the deep waters around Europe,
still being discovered (e.g. HERMES), exceeds that of the total European land mass. ESONET will
allow for decadal monitoring of these biodiversity hotspots, setting up for groundbreaking
discoveries on issues such as microbial biodiversity, life in extreme environments, and the
importance and role of the subsurface biosphere.
B.2.1.1.8 Non-living ressources (investigating and monitoring of the effect of deep-water
exploitation on the biosphere and geosphere)
The ‘thematic strategy on the protection and the conservation of the marine environment’ aims to
ensure that all EU marine waters are environmentally healthy by 2021. The integration of science
and economics to promote sustainable development of non-living deep-sea resources is still in its
infancy and the EU’s current sector by sector approach to environmental protection of the seas is
too fractured. Major economic issues exist relating to the positive and negative aspects of
hydrocarbon extraction, CO2 sequestration and deposition of low-toxic wastes. However the
development of valuation systems fort the deep-sea lags behind studies conducted in terrestrial
environments.
Offshore ocean exploration and monitoring is a major task for oil and gas industry. Since fossil
hydrocarbon resources will last for least fifty years, the industry will invest much into infrastructure
and new techniques for optimized exploitation. This will lead consequently to enhanced underwater
developments. In the future the huge production platforms will be replaced by smaller subsea
solutions, deployed directly on the seabed. This goal demands to build up a new network of powerand data-cables at the affected continental margins. Underwater platforms, wells, and pipelines will
be equipped with sensors for continuous data transmission. There will be less need for oversize
ships and men power at sea. The pollution risk should be minimized as well as platform hazards.
Main operation and control is possible from land. Several systems are already in operation or in
planning phase.
These integrated operations are currently a hot topic in the petroleum industry. Most operators have
built onshore operation support centers for real-time optimization of drilling operations and
production. Real-time onshore monitoring and control of wells and offshore processing are likely
ingredients of the subsea-to-shore concepts in the future. These developments now open up for a
new perspective on cooperation between petroleum industry and ecology R&D. A subsea-to-shore
production concept includes data and power cables from shore to offshore subsea facilities located
some hundred kilometers offshore. One idea is to integrate a subsea field development with a
marine subsea cabled observatory. As petroleum industry moves to deeper waters and higher
latitudes, online monitoring around underwater platforms and pipelines, using state-of-the-art sensor
and instrument systems is urgently required. This can be achieved in close collaboration between
petroleum industry and the EU science community.
B.2.1.2. Environment and Security Operational Objectives
B.2.1.2.1 Seismic and Tsunami hazard operational networks
Seafloor observatories also have the potential to play a key role in the assessment and monitoring of
geo-hazards, as many of Earth’s most seismogenic zones and most active volcanoes occur along
continental margins. Continuous measurements are required with the ability to react quickly to
episodic events, such as earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. For geo-hazard mitigation, as the
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human population continues to grow, the potential social and economic dislocation provoked by
natural hazards, such as earthquakes, volcanoes, submarine landslides and tsunamis, has increased.
These impacts are especially detrimental to developing nations. The destructive earthquakes and
related tsunamis that occurred at the end of 2004 in the Indian Ocean, and that strongly affected
Sumatra, Malaysia, Indonesia, the Andaman Islands, Thailand, Myan Mar, Bangla Desh, Sri Lanka,
India and the Maldives in terms of lives and economic impact, are only the most recent examples.
The seismic activity resulting from the convergence of the European and African plates represents a
major hazard for the populated, southern margins of Europe. Here, seismicity and tsunamis hazards
can affect mainly belt from the Azores through the Mediterranean area until Black Sea. According
to the Red Cross Red Crescent report on world disasters, earthquakes have proved the deadliest of
all Europe’s disasters over the past decade, and cost the continent 25 billions € in damage alone. It
is recognised that earthquakes such as those that occurred in the recent past in Europe [e.g., Catania,
1693; Lisbon, 1755; Messina, 1908] would certainly results in tens or hundreds of thousands
victims and billions of Euros in damage.
Another cause of hazard is the natural leakage of gaseous hydrocarbons at the seafloor, gas bubbles
in the sediment, leaking hydrates, mud volcanoes on land and on the seafloor, and submarine gas
seepage in pockmark fields (Etiope and Favali, 2004). The main advantage of long-term monitoring
is to assess the temporal variability of the phenomena.
The seafloor observatories need a real-time communication to on-shore, allowing the
integration of their data in the already existing land-based seismic networks to advance a
better understanding of plate-tectonic margin behaviour and of important seismogenic zones
located at seas around Europe. ESONET NoE will benefit of already established links with
organisations able to manage data and waveforms of terrestrial networks (like ORFEUS and
CSEM) through the relationship with other approved EC projects [e.g., NERIES] in which
some of the ESONET partners are involved. In relation to other geo-hazards like tsunamis,
the actions of ESONET NoE will be in coordination with UNESCO-IOC, following in
particular the recommendations of the “Intergovernmental Coordination Group for the
Tsunami Early Warning System in the North Eastern Atlantic, the Mediterranean and
Connected Seas (ICG/NEAMTWS)” launched at its 1st Session held in Rome (November,
2005).
B.2.1.2.2. Physical Oceanography networks –
The contribution of ESONET will come through GMES for several key parameters of the water
column. During the next 4 years, the targets of GMES is clearly to prepare operational phase in
ocean physical oceanography. ESONET will contribute to “Initial Operational Phase of GMES
Marine Core Services” planned for 2008 as well as a regional policy on the Downstream Services.
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Figure from GMES report B.2.1.3. Technical Objectives
The technology of deep water scientific cabled observatories is at its infancy. On another hand,
deep sea exploration leaded by the hydrocarbon industry is now mature and industrial products and
services are available. Taking advantage af this state of the art through cooperation with
engineering underwater R&D actors and cooperation with leading companies in this field (e.g.
Alcatel, Fugro,Tecnomare) and SME’s, ESONET will provide the necessary steps to new cost
effective developments and implementation in areas of important for our society.. Therefore, it will
aim at improving the knowledge on long term capabilities of observatory components, reach final
standards for interoperability, integrate various sensor technologies on different platform-types and
build a basis for reliability studies in this context.
B.2.1.4. Societal and Policy objectives
These will be achieved through the integrated research described in the Joint Programme of
Activities (JPA). Through its JPA, ESONET will make a significant contribution to the
development of a thematic strategy for the protection, conservation and sustainable use of the
marine environment (Communication from the Commission to the Council and the European
Parliament on “Towards a strategy to protect and conserve the marine environment”, 2 October
2002).
ESONET will spread scientific excellence and information resulting from its activities in three main
directions: (1) to the socio-economic users of knowledge regarding the impacts of climate and
anthropogenic forcing on continental margin ecosystems, (2) to the European industry including
SMEs and (3) to governmental bodies.
ESONET will generate a directory of SMEs interested in the monitoring of European continental
margin ecosystems and seafloor processes. More specifically, ESONET will indicate future
environmental technology monitoring and innovation needs in the fields of continental margin
exploration and exploitation. The ESONET observatory network will also improve the protection of
European society against geohazards, by enhancing the capability to monitor, in real time, the
dynamics of European margins.
The transfer of knowledge to users will allow the EU and governmental bodies to make significant
contributions to the world effort to define mitigation strategies to confront global change, and to
manage marine resources and ecosystems. The socio-economic users of ESONET knowledge
include (a) assessment bodies, their scientists and policymakers, e.g. IPPC, (b) Intergovernmental
organisations, e.g. UN / IOC, UN / FAO, ICES, (c) International agreements on exchange of data
related to hazards such as global seismographic networks like GSN, FDSN and GEOSS related
tasks (d) International Conventions, e.g. CBD, OSPAR Convention, (d) Non-governmental
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Organisations, (e) National fisheries assessment and climate change agencies, (f) Relevant
European Commission directorates, e.g. Fisheries Directorate General.
The spreading of knowledge to the European public will be achieved through the use of a network
of public outreach standpoints. Transfer of knowledge will specifically target the young age groups
in order to favour general orientation towards science, foster scientific careers and most importantly
shape an environmentally sensitive European society.
Overall, the ESONET approach answers Europe's strategic need to strengthen excellence on the
major topic of hazard mitigation through environmental monitoring. This will further be achieved
by restructuring the existing research capacities and the way research is carried out.
B.2.2. Appropriateness of using a NoE : generation of knowledge
Networking (i.e. sharing research facilities, using the same standards, international cooperation and
mobility, efficient communication) and jointed research activities are paramount to the production
of World-class science in deep sea observatory sciences (long term data series exploitation, risk
assessment, geohazard, climate change). European research devoted to subsea observatories
although researchers, engineers, industrial companies are well recognized in Japan and North
America is not yet able to generate knowledge at the level of its expertise. EC funded projects and
especially the ESONET CA started to bring confidence in the potential present in the EU and in the
scientific appropriateness of developping observatories in European seas. The necessary stage is
now to strengthen this community and orientate its skill towards solving key scientific problems in
the field of deep sea environment and security. The cooperation of an integrated networked
European consortium with North American and Japanese will then bring benefits to the global
environment issues including third countries.
B.2.3. Appropriateness of using a NoE : reduction of fragmentation, and creation of a
progressive and durable integration of the EU research capacities
A major impediment to establishment of the proposed network of observatories is multiple
fragmentations across boundaries that are: disciplinary, geographical, national, legal, institutional,
technological and operational.
B.2.3.1. Disciplinary boundaries
Participants in ESONET are unified by the requirement for continuous data acquisition on decadal
time scales at fixed locations in the seas around Europe. This requirement brings together scientific
disciplines that would otherwise have little contact with one another. Geo-sensors may be deployed
in bore holes beneath the sea floor to monitor fluid flow with the earth’s crust. Ocean bottom
seismometry is focussed on signal processing from arrays, rather than specific sampling of the
seafloor. Within the water column, oceanographers study movements of water masses and their
influence on the transfer of heat and matter across the planet with little reference to biology or solid
Earth sciences. There is little communication between remote sensing scientists and those
specialising in development of sea floor instrumentation. It is vital for ESONET to build links
across these boundaries in order to build a joint infrastructure. A further development is the link
with the astronomy community in joint use of sub-sea infrastructure.
B.2.3.2. Geographical boundaries
Europe is surrounded by 4 great marine basins, Arctic, Atlantic, Mediterranean and Black Sea with
their subdivisions and connecting shallow seas such as the North Sea and Baltic. An important
function of the NoE will be to co-ordinate work in these disparate areas so as to create a unified
system with global relevance and common standards. The NoE will bring people to work together,
to optimize efforts and investments.
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B.2.3.3. National
For the development of ESONET, problems of fragmentation within and across national boundaries
will have to be overcome. The observatories may be located within the territorial sea of adjacent
states or within international waters. They may be wholly or partly owned by organisations from
states other than the local littoral states.
B.2.3.4. Legal
Linked to the issues of national jurisdictions, there are legal barriers to the establishment of
extensive infrastructure extending from land into the sea. The NoE will have to consider issues such
as EEZ determination and ownership of sea floor, the intertidal zone and shore bases; the legal
aspect of dissemination of information related to hazards and civil protection; and the implications
of international and European legislation and agreements for the operation of a cabled seafloor
observatory. Finally, the NoE will support the implementation of legislative initiatives for the
protection and preservation of the marine environment (MPA and PSSA).
B.2.3.5. Institutional
Within or across member states, division of responsibilities between institutions can form artificial
barriers to development of the ESONET observatory network. There are further differences in
relation to private enterprise and the degree to which private enterprise can be responsible for public
infrastructure in different countries. Different funding and employment models can be barriers to
collaboration. It is important for ESONET to identify the correct organisations for implementation
of different aspects of the work in different countries.
B.2.3.6. Technological
The building blocks of the proposed ESONET system are already in existence, like sub-sea sensors,
observatory platforms, cables, junction boxes and data centres. However sensors in different
disciplines have been developed independently and operate to different standards. This tends to
require a certain amount of extra work by specialists for any intercomparison of data collected by
different teams. Furthermore, one could face a situation where additional data mining is necessary
in the future when scientists will need the time series measures now.
A lack of mutual exchange of good or bad experience usually comes from the use of very different
technical choices. It is then difficult to promote European technology and foster SMEs or industrial
growth on the market.
Such a situation must be prevented as early as possible before the major investments. The Network
of Excellence will overcome this diverging tendancy.
B.2.3.7. Operational.
Development of ESONET has two primary motivations: fundamental research and societal needs
such as hazard mitigation (climate change, earthquakes, tsunamis, landslides etc..) and ecosystem
management. Fundamental research typically works with short duration programmes aimed at
resolving a specific scientific question, whereas hazard mitigation requires continuous vigilance as
a service to the community..
B.2.4. Appropriateness of using a NoE : overall structure of NoE and its various
components
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B.3. Potential impact
B.3.1. Solving the problem of fragmentation, integrating research capacities on deep sea
observatories in Europe and long- term structuring impact on the topic and the
European Research Area
ESONET NoE will overcome the fragmentations across boundaries that are: disciplinary,
geographical, national, legal, institutional, technological and operational.
B.3.1.1. Disciplinary boundaries
B.3.1.2. Geographical boundaries
B.3.1.3. National
B.3.1.4. Legal
B.3.1.5. Institutional
B.3.1.6. Technological
Long term operability of system packages and sensors will be tested and improved. to enable a
seamless integration of sensor systems and to make high quality data available as part of a global
earth observation system as planned in GEO. The standardisation process is an issue of central
importance. This process has to be carried out on different levels starting on the data acquisition
level including calibration of sensors and ranging to the level of data archiving systems. For this
purpose the European experts in this field, from industry as well as from research institutions, have
to closely interact to come up with a sustainable concept.
On the hardware side, dedicated developments as for instance the branching of seafloor cables have
to be stimulated where SMEs and telecommunication companies will contribute with existing
components. The long term deployment of instrumentation in the harsh ocean condition is a major
obstacle to be solved. Problems include biofouling, corrosion and physical damage. Here
observatories will offer a unique opportunity to develop new concepts as by intercomparison of
different sensor signal additional information can be derived.
Achievements obtained with successfull prototypes and specific equipments will be the basis of a
very different process. The equipments that will be able to ensure reliable missions in the long term
will follow design processes . They will benefit from offshore or cable industry technologies as well
as from military or coastal oceanography.
B.3.1.7. Operational.
The basis for funding for research and operational observatories are thus fundamentally different
and the NoE will aim at resolving this dichotomy to secure funds for the ESONET network.
B.3.1.8. Education and Outreach
The multidisciplinary nature of ESONET will merge the individual areas of expertise on ocean
margin research and integrate these for coordinated education and public outreach. This effort will
lead to a very successful and internationally competitive research program with technology
perspectives and industrial dissemination. Previous programs and research consortia often lacked
concerted development of technology and education, the creation of a patent pool, as well as public
outreach. These are urgent and necessary tasks to support and advance European marine research
and technology, as well as the human resources in this interdisciplinary research field. With the
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establishment of online-observatories ESONET can thus provide an education, which fully takes
advantage of the project´s expertise and thus enables a graduation closely oriented towards industry,
government and/or university. This approach will also ensure that the excitement of scientific
discovery is transferred directly into classrooms and to a wider public.
B.3.2 Adressing problems of knowledge of tomorrow
B3.3 Spreading of excellence
B.3.2. Adressing problems of knowledge of tomorrow, in particular in the context of a
knowledge-based society and knowledge-based enterprises
The aim of ESONET will be to achieve integration across European boundaries. This will be done
by working at European and Regional levels.
At the European level ESONET will set standards, provide models for operation of observatory
networks and integrate data dissemination and archiving across Europe. This will be achieved
through conferences, working groups and standing committees that will ensure common standards
across the ESONET area of operations. ESONET will also develop relations with observatory
operators elsewhere in the world.
At the regional level, management will typically focus on a particular segment of cable
infrastructure. The design of the cable, location and management of sensors and infrastructure will
be conducted by a local committee within the ESONET federation. ESONET will also develop
regional implementation models derived from the ESONIM project, which can then be modified
and applied in different areas as the network grows around Europe., Integration between different
disciplines will take place by considering location of sensors within the water column, on and below
the sea floor. Integration between national neighbours and stake holders in the system will also be
conducted at the regional level, resolving issues as they arise.
Paragraph on ESONET Core Services .
B.3.3. Contribution to generation of knowledge. Spreading excellence, exploiting results
and disseminating knowledge inside and outside the Network, in particular at
international level
Ultimately the development of the full network of observatories around Europe will lead to
unprecedented advances in knowledge of the seas, the submarine geology and the environment
around Europe. The contribution of the NoE will be more focussed. Jointly executed research will
join efforts on a limited number of key locations. These will be planned and instrumented in order
to achieve maximum scientific gain. Early establishment of continuous monitoring under the
seasonal ice in the Arctic and Nordic Seas for example will make a key contribution to
understanding of decaying of the polar ice caps and the regional impact of these changes. Further
south, instrumentation of deep-water coral mounds and mid-ocean ridge hydrothermal vents will
provide key information on growth and reproduction in these remarkable ecosystems. Regarding
geohazards, the NoE will complement the existing seafloor seismic network in the Mediterranean,
allowing for the detection of events not discernable by land stations.
Very rapid advances in technical knowledge are anticipated during the NoE which will set the
foundation for future development of the observatory network and place European SMEs in an
excellent competitive position for installation of such systems around the world.
B.3.4. Potential impact in Europe of training and education activities needed to improve or
develop new skill and/or expertise
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B.3.5. Contribution of ESONET NoE in terms of Community societal objective, and
supporting EU policies in the field concerned
in
B.3.6. Contribution to national or international standards by the Network
B.3.7. Proposed activities for knowledge management beyond the consortium
SMEs to be addressed
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B.4. Degree of integration and the Joint Programme of activities
B.4.1. General description of the JPA
The joint programme of activities will be a streamline of 7 interconnected work packages (WP) in
three main areas in addition to WP8, which is concerned with management of the overall
programme. ESONET will allocate funds to the 7 WPs for 3 successive periods, over the 48 months
of the EC grant: two 18 months periods followed by one 12-month period.
2 WPs are related to the Integrating Activites (IA), 4 to the programme for Jointly Executed
Research (JER) and 2 to the Activities to Spread Excellence (SE). The Jointly Executed Research
(JER) will be conducted in 11 sites of interest to the EU. This suite of observatory sites is of major
relevance to the global change perspective, to the global environment and security monitoring
(geohazards) and to the biodiversity studies.
Work Packages (WPs)
Table 1: ESONET JPA: Workpackages (WPs) and Observatory sites, and their leaders.
Integrating Activities (IA)
WP1 Networking (M.Diepenbroek, KDM,D)
I.a Integration of regional observatory initiatives (M. Cannat, CNRS/IPG, F)
I.b Data infrastructure
(M.Diepenbroek, KDM,D)
I.c Sharing facilities
(J.Marvaldi, Ifremer,F)
I.d
International cooperation
(I.G.Priede, Univ.Aberdeen,
U.K.)
WP2 Standardisation (C. Waldman, KDM, D)
II.a Sensor interoperability
(C. Waldman, KDM, D)
II.c Quality assurance and interoperability
( A. Holford, Univ. Aberdeen,
UK)
II.d Interoperability for underwater intervention
(F. Gasparoni, Tecnomare, I +
J.F. Drogou, Ifremer,F)
Jointly Executed Research (JER)
WP3 Scientific objectives and observatory design (T. Van Weering, NIOZ, NL + O.
Pfannkuche, KDM, D+ C. Berndt, NOC, UK + L. Geli, Ifremer, F)
WP4 Demonstration missions (L; Beranzoli, INGV, I + M.Cannat, IPGP, F + E. Gracia,
CSIC, SP)
WP5 Implementation strategies (M. Gillooly, Marine Institute, EI + J.Dañobeitia;CSIC;Sp )
Spreading Excellence (SE)
WP6 Socio economic users (J.M. Miranda, Univ. Lisboa, P + J.F. Rolin , Ifremer, F + N.
O’Neill, CSA, Ir)
ESONET Letter - R. Person
WP7 Education and outreach (L. Thomsen, KDM, D + T. Tselipides, HCMR, Gr + A.
Colaço, Univ. Azores, P)
WebMaster – Camila Henriques
Management Activities (MA)
WP8
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Observatory sites
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Artic node
Norvegian margin
Nordic Seas
Porcupine Abyssal Plain
Pfannkuche, KDM, D)
Azores-MoMAR
Cannat,IPGP, F)
Gulf of Cadiz/Iberian margin
Univ. Lisboa, P + J.Dañobeitia, CSIC, E)
Ligurian sea
INGV, I + B. Savoye, Ifremer,F)
East Sicily
Hellenic
Black sea
D + A. Boetius, KDM, D)
Marmara sea
Polonia, Ismar, I + P. Henry, CNRS, F)
Kosterfjord
Thomsen, KDM, D)
( M.Klages, KDM, D
( J. Mienert, Univ. Tromso, N
(P. Segray, Univ. Stokholm, S
(M. Gillooly, Marine Institute, Ir+ O.
(A. Colaço, Univ. Azores, P+ M.
(N. Zitellini, ISMAR, I + J.M. Miranda,
(A. Deschamp, CNRS, F + G. Marinaro,
(R.Papaleo, INFN, I)
(T. Tselipides, HCMR, Gr +
(Dimitrov, Univ…,B + P.Linke, KDM,
(Cagatay, Univ. Istanbul,Tr + A.
( P. Hall, Univ. Göteborg, S+ L.
Figure X details the connections between the JPA and the observatory sites. IA and SE activities
will be carried out at the network level, whereas the JER activities will be conducted within
regional observatory initiatives.
Figure X. Connections between the Joint Programme of activities and the regional
observatory initiative
B.4.2. Integrating activities
B.4.2.1. WP1- Networking
Task a- Integration of regional observatory initiatives and multidisciplinary networking efforts
Multidiciplinarity and transnationality are key to the success of ESONET, for scientific reasons
(state of the art science requires active exchanges between teams and disciplines internationally),
and for maximum use of the observatory infrastructure (additional sensors may be added at low cost
to existing infrastructure).
Our objective in this task is to promote multidiciplinarity and transnationality within each node of
the ESONET sub-sea observatory network. This includes welcoming of new users refining regional
observatory objectives with respect to the experience and achievements of other observatory
initiatives worldwide, and to other European and international partners.
Our proposed approach for this task is to build upon the experience and achievements of existing
European sub-sea observatory initiatives that have already reached a high degree of
multidiciplinarity and transnationality. The proposed MoMAR initiative is of particular relevance in
this respect, with a high level of integration between biology and earth sciences objectives, and
effective multinational cooperation. Other proposed ESONET nodes have developed
complementary expertise.
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Task b. Data infrastructure
Objectives :
An ocean observatory data management system must address several challenges:
. Data products are generated from heterogeneous and regionally distributed observatory
nodes in Europe and have different characteristics in format, metadata, resolution and
validation of data;
. Data archive centres exists for some data types but do not exist for other parameters.
Moreover, the responsibility for supporting each node may be divided among several
different agencies;
. In order to access data products from multiple sources, data need to be quality-controlled
in a uniform manner. Data providers have to be coordinate with data users;
. The network may be extended and has to be integrated with existing and future GEOSS
related earth observation systems.; especially, the thematic portal policy of GMES is
under construction. ESONET will coordiate its schedule with GMES;
. Long term preservation and publication of data has to be ensured.
Activities:
. Development of a plan for a networked system including organisational schemes for
possible data flows. A fundamental underlying principle is the full and open exchange of
data and information for scientific and educational purposes (GEOSS data sharing
principles).
. Choice of a data management hardware independent infrastructure. Interoperability will
be largely based on the implementation of globally accepted information standards
(Sensor ML, ISO19xxx family of standards, SOAP/WSDL) and existing Spatial Data
Infrastructures (SDI). The activity will be carried out in close collaboration with WP2
(standardization).
. Organize long-term archiving, publication, and dissemination of observatory data,
metadata, and data products using European and international data centres. For all these
activities, ESONET will rely on SeaDataNet pan-european infrastructure for marine data
management and tackle also benefit from result from other integrated projects like
Mersea, Seprise SSA, Carbocean or NoE EurOceans.
Task c. Sharing facilities
Objectives:
The ESONET NOE will organize the sharing of European seagoing equipments and will open
shared testing facilities, in order to ascertain and improve the long-term capabilities of sub-sea
observatory components to launch common practices (oil and gas industry experience).
Testing facilities in simulated environment and shallow water test beds:
The sharing of facilities will tend decrease the costs of equipments and instruments under
pressure, corrosion tests, biofouling tests. The cooperation in such tests has already started with
EU scientific projects (GEOSTAR) or infrastructure projects (Metri 1 and Metri 2).
Complementary to the above, many tests require sites in real marine conditions. Shallow water
test beds equipped with a cable are cost efficient solutions. ESONET will use test sites that are
available in Europe (Intereg 3c project Intermarec in cooperation between KERN region in
Germany and Brittany). They will be used for additional tests on anti-fouling, acoustic and
optical sensors, crawler and AUVs.
Existing deep sea test sites and equipments
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ANTARES, NEMO and NESTOR sites in the Mediterranean sea will open their infrastructure,
already cabled, to ESONET NoE partners. They will be used for long-term tests of scientific
packages, single instruments and underwater components.
ESONET partners operate many of the most performing tools of this field in the world. The
seagoing equipments will be shared in a number of occasions as part of the integration process.
This will mainly tend to establish the interoperability between these heavy tools (see WP2).
Integration through a limited number of permanent deep sea test facilities
The multiplication of test sites inevitably results in redundancies and unwanted dispersion of
efforts, whereas Europe’s interest lies in the coordination and optimization of its resources. After
the first 18 months, the NoE will select a small number of complementary test facility to be used
on an operational, permanent basis.
Initiate other fields of future integration
In many disciplines, the critical mass for scientific efficiency requires pooling together national
means. The NoE will promote the formation of European teams for the analysis of seismic data,
the processing of images from seafloor cameras for biological monitoring, chemical and
biological analysis, and spectrometry. Projects of integrating related infrastructures will be
discussed and proposed inside ESONET NOE.
Task d. Links with international observatory programmes
The NoE will establish formal links with extra-European programmes addressed toward the
establishment of seafloor observation networks. The links will be aimed at setting about the
European experience, at stimulating the technological and scientific debate, compare adopted
techniques/methodologies and try to face together technical and scientific problems in the
development of seafloor networks. Profitable links will be maintained with the principal extraEuropean seafloor multiparameter real-time networks under development in the frame of ORION,
NEPTUNE and ARENA,.
In addition, the NoE Consortium will submit the request to have a NoE representative in the
International Ocean Network commission, founded to take advantage of on-going efforts on
seafloor monitoring in different countries and to foster synergies among different disciplines.
Both the ICDP and the IODP have shifted their attention towards long-term instrumentation of their
boreholes. Depending on the scientific goals at the site, certain depth intervals are instrumented
under “corks” with sensors, in cases down to several kilometres and temperatures in excess of 100
°C. ESONET envisages teaming up with such programmes, and have instrumented boreholes near
ESONET “nodes” in the Ligurian Sea and in the vicinity of Crete/Greece.
B.4.2.2. WP2 – Standardisation and interoperability of sensor systems (hard and software
requirements)
What this WP does not cover:
Any procedures that deal with ship operations, recommendations regarding handling of AUV,
HOV, ROV or similar platform operations (WP1, sharing facilities?), buoy or cable deployment
procedures (WP3), data management and processing (WP1)
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What this WP covers:
Integration of sensor systems and instruments into observatory systems or mobile platforms like
AUV, ROV, ASSEM etc.
Objectives:
In the last decade, seafloor observatories have passed from a level of “evolving technology” to a
level of “maturing technology”. The feasibility studies and pioneering experiments dated back in
the late ‘90s, under the umbrella of EU Framework Programmes (MAST 3, FP4), have created the
basis for the development of operative systems, getting closer and closer to the fulfilment of the
ambitious and challenging scientific and technical requirements that were at the basis of their
development.
There are many good reasons to introduce standards starting already on the sensor level. The main
motivation stems from the seamless integration of the sensor information flow originating from a
multitude of systems in quantity and characteristics (type of parameter). In present observation
systems with limited number of instruments it is always possible to individually integrate/match
each instrument into the systems with the help of a preceding, dedicated soft- and/or hardware
module. With the future heterogeneous, dynamic changing ocean observatory systems in mind this
surely is no longer a practical concept rather a modularity approach with each module possessing
defined, standardised software and hardware interfaces has to be established.
In contrast to terrestrial systems underwater observatories are not easily accessible and serviced
which results in similar planning and logistic efforts as in space sciences. That gives another reason
for having standards, as instruments can be tested and integrated in a standard procedure before
deployment. It lends itself to the concept of introducing quality management or mission assurance
procedures.
Another aspect is introduced by the requirement to make the collected data available to different
end-users at a very early stage. That means that not just one data management/archiving centre is
able to retrieve and process the data but that many centres in Europe are able to access the
information in parallel. That calls for interoperability of the collected information which means that
the sensor information is accompanied with an exhaustive description (metadata) of the data from
the point of origin. In other words the standards on a lower level should be translatable to a higher
level as for instance has presently been put on track with SensorML and IEEE-1451. This will then
provide a base to make the data available for automated information retrieval. On top of that
schemes of sensor information metadata will facilitate the interoperability in particular under the
aspect that information from different observatory sites have to be integrated into a common
system.
Last but not least, standardisation process is expected to generate added value and benefits in an
economic context:
- Enhanced product quality and reliability
- Reduction in costs
- Increase efficiency and ease of maintenance
- Simplify and improve usability
- Greater compatibility and interoperability of goods and services
- Improved health, safety and environmental protection
In the industrial community, standardisation is a normal step, typically (almost inevitably) occurring
when the industry has reached a sufficient level of growth and maturity.
Therefore it will be essential for this work package to get European industrial players from the field
in particular SMEs involved in the standard definition process with the aim of reaching consensus
between the major players from academia, government institutions and industry.
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In the perspective of an increasing level of integration at European level (represented by initiatives
like ESONET and KM3NET), and to explore possibility to play a decisive role in the worldwide
global network initiatives either in the scientific field (NEPTUNE, MARS, ARENA) or motivated
by international monitoring requirements (GEO) , it is now necessary to take into account the
problem of standardisation in an explicit and systematic way.
This will form a base for sustainable progress in the establishment and reliable operation of the
anticipated ocean observatory infrastructure in Europe.
Activities:
Generally speaking, standards are documented agreements containing technical specifications or
other criteria to be used consistently as rules, guidelines or definition of characteristics, to ensure
that materials, processes and services are fit for their purpose.
Standards result from consensus agreements reached between all players in a specific sector
(suppliers, users and often governments). All these players agree on specifications and criteria to be
applied consistently in fields like the choice and classification of materials, the manufacture of
products and the provision of services.
Reasons and opportunities to introduce standardisation issues in seafloor observatory science have
been previously discussed. It must however be kept in mind that the standardisation development is
a process based on the principles of consensus; this means that the views of all interested parties are
taken into account including but not limiting to manufacturers, engineers, end users, marine
operators etc. In the seafloor observatory community, consensus has to be achieved between parties
with very diversified background (scientists, engineers, marine operators), interests (like scientific
disciplines), methodologies, experiences (past internal developments, past projects etc). Thus, it is
totally in the scope of the integration process of ESONET NoE.
At the same time the definition of any standard and regulation should not inhibit the use of the best
available technology or the application of new technologies.
Keeping in mind these aspects, the most suitable approach proposed for this Work Package is to
address the activities to the definition of a “roadmap” for the seafloor observatories standardisation.
In other words, the activity shall not try to “solve” the problem of standardisation, but will set up
the community that will define and implement the standardisation issue for the seafloor
observatories.
Deliverables? Subtasks (to be integrated into the task scheme):
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Needs/opportunities for standardisation with input from European SMEs
Inventory of existing observatory systems and platforms
Inventory of existing standards regarding sensor integration and enabling interoperability
Setting up links to other international standardisation initiatives like GEOSS, ORION and
offshore industry
Evaluation of the collected information under the guideline of practicability in particular
under the restrictions that apply for underwater systems and the possible integration on
existing systems (cabled, relocatable (ASSEM), mobile (AUV))
Input from SMEs to the evaluation process regarding practicability and economic aspects
Definition of a roadmap for seafloor observatory standardisation in coordination with other
international partners (Japan, USA, Canada) who are involved in the design of ocean
observatories
Building up a common information portal
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. Developing sustainable concepts for best practise and training aiming at defining quality
assurance procedures
. Realisation of concepts with existing instrumentation within demonstration actions for
instance at SN-1 ANTARES, NESTOR
. Integration of mobile (GEOSTAR, CRAWLER) or relocatable (ASSEM, ANIMATE)
observation platforms into cabled systems as part of the demonstration activities
Task a: Sensor interoperability
The task of defining a possible architecture for achieving sensor interoperability will basically be
split off into:
. Inventory of existing sensor systems and their according operational characteristics and
according technical description
. Inventory of integration procedures into current observatory infrastructures and platforms
. Inventory of existing concepts in other field (Ad-hoc sensor networks) as possible candidate
solutions for future observatory systems
Based on this knowledge and under the guideline of practicability and economic realisation a
roadmap for possible realisation schemes will be defined.
Task b: SME Integration
The integration of SMEs into the planning process of the future observatory systems have to take
into account their expertise in their interest. SMEs have significant knowledge in practical solution
in highly specialised fields as is the case for ocean technology. The contribution of SMEs to the
ESONET NoE will therefore aim at defining solutions for the standard implementation of
instruments to ocean observatory in an economic and technically appropriate way.
The interest of SMEs in such a project will originate from getting insight into future technical
requirements based on the planned infrastructure. There must be an interest from industry as well to
focus on their product rather the integration process. Therefore the definition of standardisation
procedures must be in the interest of European SMEs in particular to be able to offer products on a
global scale.
The integration of SMEs and the evaluation of their interest should accordingly be emphasised
within the WP2.
SMEs should directly contribute to:
. Needs/opportunities for standardisation
. Inventory of existing standards regarding sensor integration and enabling interoperability
. Setting up links to other international standardisation initiatives like GEOSS, ORION and
offshore industry
. Evaluation of the collected information under the guideline of practicability in particular
under the restrictions that apply for underwater systems and the possible integration on
existing systems (cabled, relocatable (ASSEM), mobile (AUV))
. Definition of a roadmap for seafloor observatory standardisation in coordination with other
international partners (Japan, USA, Canada) who are involved in the design of ocean
observatories
. Developing sustainable concepts for best practise and training aiming at defining quality
assurance procedures
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. Realisation of concepts with existing instrumentation within demonstration actions at SN-1
ANTARES, NESTOR
Task c: Quality assurance and interoperability
Quality assurance or mission assurance procedures are already quite common in certain fields of
ocean sciences in particular where there is a strong need for intercomparison of globally collected
data. An important example is the acquisition of CO2 data on a global scale. Within this task known
concepts from this field and other areas will be evaluated and a concept for ocean observatories will
be defined. At the base of the quality assurance procedures are not alone documents but in
particular spread of knowledge which will enable all participating institutions in Europe to generate
sensor data at the same level of quality.
. Building up a common information portal
. Developing sustainable concepts for best practise and training aiming at defining quality
assurance procedures
. Realisation of concepts with existing instrumentation within demonstration actions at SN-1
ANTARES, NESTOR
. Integration of mobile (GEOSTAR, CRAWLER) or relocatable (ASSEM, ANIMATE)
observation platforms into cabled systems as part of the demonstration activities
The proposed roadmap for the individual tasks shall be subdivided in a number of fields/activities
for which the standardisation issue can be applied and where appropriate experts can contribute to.
Each application domain shall be further subdivided into a number of individual technologies, for
which the standardisation issue is describable with a unified template. The proposed template will
include the items shown in figure
Task d: Subsea intervention procedure
The ships, ROVs, AUVs, mobile dockers and specific equipments like autonomous underwater
observatories (from ORION, ASSEM and EXOCET/D EC projects for instance) able to operate
on sub-sea sites are quite diverse.
Deliverable: Inventory (month 2)
Group of seagoing equipment constituted (month 12)
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B.4.3. Programme for jointly executed research activities.
B.4.3.1. WP3 - Observatory design related to scientific objectives
Objective:
The objective of the present NoE is to define the best methodology and the subsequent sytem to
collect long term (at least 20 years) time series from the deep seafloor that can be scientifically and
operationally valuable.
Activities:
This Joint research activity will take inputs from the JPA1 activities to define the requirements for
observatories in different areas. This will also be supported by input from other EU programmes,
e.g. MARBEF, HERMES, EUROCEANS, DAMOCLES. Because long term ocean floor
monitoring is in its infancy, there is a clear lack of scientific background to assess firmly the
parameters to be measured. For instance, concerning earthquake hazards, one can easily imagine
that it is not enough to deploy seismometers at one single site, waiting for the next large earthquake
to occur. In contrast measuring aseismic parameters – such as sediment pore pressure and its
relation with micro-seismicity - during the earthquake cycle could be of critical importance.
This will be divided into two sections, generic and disciplinary scientific package.
From a common Statement of Requirement document, the generic observatory modules that can be
deployed at any site such as connectors, certain sensors and structural elements, will be determined.
A “Best practice workshop” will shear the results of past experiments on these componants,
including failures. Underwater engineering research teams will analyse this state of the art,
determine necessary improvements and integrate their efforts on ageing, biofouling protection and
other long term related R&D issues. A reliability assessment will be performed.
Disciplinary scientific packages that will be enhanced by ESONET are: broadband seismometer,
piezometers for pore pressure measurements, pressure gauges (e.g. for tsunami detection, geodesy,
borehole instrumentation, pore pressure, turbidity event monitoring, water column measurements,
chemical analysis, bottom pictures, biological experiments under real time control, water sediment
interface, acoustic tomography, acoustic biomass and plankton detection, monitoring of fluid flows.
Outputs:
.
.
.
.
.
Define the set of parameters to be measured for each phenomenon of interest
Demonstrate the scientific relevance of the collected dataset
Demonstrate the relevance of the site proposed for implementing the monitoring facility
Propose adapted acquisition method and instrumentation
Disseminate results on the reliability of existing, enhanced or eventually new underwater
monitoring components
. Demonstration and inter comparison of existing modules on cabled test sites;
. Specification of new generic and site specific scientific modules.
B.4.3.2. WP4 - Demonstration missions
Workpackage 4 will aim at demonstrating the NoE’s capability
To deploy and manage long-term complex experiments at sea aimed at testing seafloor
observatory components and infrastructures thus strengthening the European capacity to
establish and maintain systems/apparatuses functional to the forthcoming Seafloor
Observatory Network and addressed to the scientific, geohazard, and technology
objectives of ESONET.
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The WP will focus on demonstration actions that bring high level of excellence the technology at
different development phases, implementing the standardisation and interoperability of the different
platforms from the consortium. WP4 will benefits of the activities and results of WP2
(Standardisation: hard and soft, interoperability) and WP3 (Observatory design related to scientific
objectives) and will constitute a feedback for them. The activities of WP4 also offer a frame to
support WP8 (Education and outreach) giving the opportunity to participate to comprehensive
interdisciplinary programme of research.
WP4 will fund and coordinate sea tests for components of the observatory and observatory network
designs, including data and energy transmission systems at cabled and non-cabled observatory sites,
developed for ESONET nodes, as base for the forthcoming European Sea Observatory Network.
WP4 will also coordinate joint research activities related to the preparation, and subsequent
debriefing and data analysis of these demonstration missions.
Demonstration missions will indeed promote the objectives of the network in terms of
standardization and data management, and provide opportunities for at sea exchanges of scientific
and technical expertise between network’s partners.
(Laura: the following is related to the general objectives of the proposal so I propose to delete from
WP4 “Demonstration missions will also acquire scientifically relevant time-series data, and will
address the technological issues associated with the wide range of environmental constraints
(water depth, fluid temperature and chemistry, biological diversity) at ESONET nodes.”)PB JFR
WP4 will be run in close cooperation with the Test and Operation, Scientific, and Data
Management Councils for the prioritization and selection of test sites and management of
demonstration missions. It will provide full scientific and technological reports to the NoE
management structure. Designs and methods developed as part of WP4 will be made available for
common use by the participants at ESONET observatory nodes.
Method and Program of Activities
Demonstration missions will be planned at sites where existing infrastructures and facilities
(including regular (Laura: what does ‘regular’ mean ?) service with research vessels and ROVs
(Laura: why we need to stress the presence of those facilities ? I propose to delete the previous text
in red and make the sentence fully general)) allow for time and cost effective implementation and
where demonstration missions can benefit of the synergy with other endorsed and funded initiatives.
SeeJF Tests of cabled observatory designs will be carried out at sites that have an existing cable
connection to shore.
Demonstration missions will in most cases be planned at nodes of the planned ESONET key-sites,
and contribute to the development of these nodes. It is envisioned, however, that specific
operational needs may justify sea tests at sites that are not identified for long-term monitoring as
part of the European Seas Observatory NETwork.
Demonstration missions will typically involve a pre-cruise phase of scientific and technological
design and engineering, a few days shiptime for deployment of seafloor and/or water column
observatory packages and devices using a ROV (Laura: let us make the sentence more general,
why we need to stress ‘ROV’?), recording of a set of time-series data over some months (1-6
months) (via cable or acoustic transmission), recovery of the systems, followed by a post-cruise
phase of data analysis, assessment of the technological aspects of the mission, design improvement,
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and reporting. If the test site is regularly serviced by research vessels and ROVs, seafloor
deployement and recovery could be planned allowing for the acquisition of long time-series
Demonstration missions, including their pre- and post-cruise phases, will involve at least three
partner institutions from 3 countries, and will be carried out in close link with other WPs:
particularly with WP2 (Standardization) and WP3 (Observatory Design).
Demonstration missions will be planned according to a selection procedure started by the issue of a
‘Call for proposals’. WP4 first task will be to issue this Call and promote it within the network
(Announcement on the NoE web page, circulation of email and telephone interactions with other
WP leaders, presentation of the Call at the first General Assembly on month 2). WP4 will then
manage the evaluation process, and moderate discussions of submitted projects at the “All regions
Workshop”.
The scheme of the selection procedure can be outlined as in the following:
Call for proposal: Proposals for demonstration missions will be submitted in answer to a
Call prepared by the leaders of WP4 and Tests and Operations Council and approved by
the NoE’s EXCOM. The Call will be issued to the NoE’s partners in month 1 of the
contract. This Call for proposals will use the objectives and methods described here as
terms of reference and set a deadline on month 4.
Proposal evaluation: Submitted proposals will be evaluated by the members of the three
network’s councils (Test and Operation, Scientific, and Data Management), and in line
to the opinion of the NoE Advisory Board using the criteria listed below, and discussed
within the network at the “All regions workshop” on month 6. WP4 leaders will also
organize for external scientific and technological reviews of the proposals. Based on
these evaluations and workshop discussions, proposals will then be ranked, and a
decision on funding made at the EXCOM meeting immediately following the workshop.
We anticipate to fund between 3 and 6 demonstration missions, and that the first
seafloor and/or water column deployment operations will be carried out during months
16 to 20 of the contract.
Criteria for proposal evaluation:
- relevance of scientific and technological objectives
- quality of integration (partnership, links with other JRAs…)
- contribution to the establishment of durable monitoring infrastructure as part of the
European Seafloor Monitoring Network
- method
- project management
- feasibility and cost effectiveness (this will include the use of existing monitoring
infrastructure), and the demonstrable access to ship time and ROV)
- synergy with other initiatives funded
- quality of the Consortium with respect to the declared goals
- outreach, education etc… check EC proposal evaluation forms
Once a decision is made on which proposals will be funded (>Month 6), WP4’s task will be to
coordinate Joint Research Activities related to the selected demonstration missions, including precruise work, operations at sea, post-cruise data processing, technology assessments and reporting.
Here a chart of WP4 activities for the first 18 months:
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Month 0
Draft of the call and circulation to the 3 NoE Councils for emendation
and approval
Month 1
Issue Call
Promote Call at general assembly
Month 4
Receive proposals and relay to members of the 3 councils and to the
Advisory Board for evaluation
Month 6
Moderate discussions of proposals at “All regions workshop”
EXCOM selects successful proposals
Initiate implementation of Demonstration missions
Month 16
start of deployments at sea
Month 32
Workshop on Demonstration Missions, joint with 2d All Regions
Workshop
Month 40
Report on Demonstration Missions
(laura: detailed activity further than 18 months is not requested)
Other demonstration cruises may be scheduled later in year 2. Post cruise work and reporting will
proceed into years 2, 3 and 4.
(mathilde) question to Roland about general schedule…. I wonder why 2d All Regions Workshop is
scheduled so early… it seems like we won’t do much on the 4th year….why not at least move
workshop to month 36.?
Cabled and non-cabled potential targets for the demonstration missions
(mathilde)We need to work a little bit more on the text below, and add references (web sites,
reports, publications….)
According to the Final Report of the ESONET SSA, three sites identified as prospective ESONET
nodes have an existing cable connection to shore and are operated and implemented in synergy with
the ANTARES (Ligurian sea), NEMO (East Sicily) and NESTOR (South west Peloponissos)
neutrino detectors. These sites are of multidisciplinary scientific interest with seismic activity near
dense human habitation areas, slope instabilities with turbidity currents in canyons, past tsunamis,
long term studies on biological and physical oceanography.
 The Ligurian sea site (2300 m deep, 25 km off Nice) is a long term multidisciplinary
monitoring area including water column up to the surface. The 685 IODP proposal plans to
drill three holes there for tests of borehole instrumentation.
 The East Sicily site (2100 m deep, 25 km off Catania) presently includes two seafloor cabled
stations monitoring seismological, oceanographic, environmental and acoustic (marine
mammal) parameters in real-time.
 The Peloponissos site (4000m deep, 10 km off Pylos) is the deepest site for the monitoring
of geological and environmental parameters.
The ESONET Report identified six other sites, as yet non-cabled, as priority targets for future deep
seafloor and water column observatories:
 Porcupine Abyssal Plain (since 1989, SW off Ireland, 4900 m) lies well away from regions
where physical gradients are strong and is a representative of the oceanic realm and an
indicator of global climate change.
 AWI-Hausgarten (since 1999, west of Spitzbergen, depth range of 1000 to 5500 m) is
located in the transition zone between the ARCT and SARC.
 Nordic Seas active Haakon Mosby mud volcano located at 1000 m Water depth showing
frequent outbursts and gaz eruptions.
 AZORES - MoMAR site. The MoMAR area is in the NAST area and easily accessible
through the Azores. The MoMAR sub-sea observatory project primarily addresses active
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

seafloor spreading and life at deep sea hydrothermal vents
(http://beaufix.ipgp.jussieu.fr/rech/lgm/MOMAR_FR/documents/leafletMOMAR.pdf).
MoMAR is an ongoing observatory project, with international support, and involvment of
more than 14 institutions throughout Europe (http://www.momarnet.org). The MoMAR
implementation plan (here ref to Momar web page under reconstruction) calls for durable
integration, over the next 5-10 years.
HELLENIC site: The Cretan Sea, the Rhodos Basin and the deep basin South of Crete are
near shore MEDI areas where important hydrological conditions. They are sensitive to
climate change, geologically active, they constitute an important feeding ground for
cetacean.
CADIZ site: The Gulf of Cadiz / Iberian margin is a region of complexity with the junction
of the Eurasian and African plates resulting in doming of the sea floor, mud volcanoes and
other complex features. The interaction of the Mediterranean outflow with Atlantic waters is
significant. Southwest Portugal, the Gulf of Cadiz and Morocco are prone to earthquake and
tsunami as testified by the great 1755 Lisbon earthquake and tsunami.
In addition, we envision that demonstration missions may also be planned at other sites, that have
not been identified as ESONET nodes, yet offer the best answer to specific operational needs. For
example:
 The Kosterfjord site (NE Skagerrak, Sweden) is situated in 50 m of water only 500 m from
the shore and characterised by the presence of a cold water coral community. Although this
is not a deep sea site, a joint international collaboration there offers an easy access Seafloor
Observatory facility with cable connection and real-time internet access.
 ESTOC (since 1994, off the Canary Islands, 3618 m water depth) serves as reference station
for studies of water column physical and biological processes in the open sea, as well as for
instrumentation developments. It represents NAST conditions and variability.
B.4.3.3. WP 5 Implementation Strategies
Objectives:
WP 5 will focus on creating structural linkages and strategies to enable the establishment of
significant Seabed Observatory Network(s) in the areas prioritized through ESONET or evolving
drivers such as GMES, GEOSS, and European Marine Strategy etc. The NOE will contribute to the
sub-sea segment of the GEO initiative and provide research data for GMES. Linkages with core
marine operational services such as EUROGOOS and MERSEA will be supported. These linkages
and strategies will be underpinned by the most up-to-date data and information.
Practically, the implementation strategy of actions within the NoE will be two fold : 1) The NoE will
encourage its member to select a limited number of sites for long-term, permanent facilities; 2) The
NoE will support preparatory phases to improve the scientific knowledge required to define the most
valuable methodology for deep seafloor, long-term observation
As an initiative of the EU, GMES will be at the centre of a series of partnerships. These need to be
defined at the EU level, including the role of agencies, Member States, value added services
industry (including SMEs), user communities etc and WP 5 can contribute to this activity in the
area of Seabed Observatory Networks. GAC (2005) 8 GMES Outline describes the areas for ‘fast
track’ services to be implemented by 2008 including Marine Core Services delivered through
Thematic Assembly Centers:
‘…. is particularly significant in the context of the implementation of the European Marine
Strategy and the future development of a coordinated European Marine Policy, both requiring
operational ocean monitoring and information systems. In the short to medium term, the objective
is to provide general information, structured at the European level, on the state of the oceans,
including:
…..operation, validation and maintenance of in situ observing networks….’
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Activities and Output :
The ESONIM Business Model will provide a basis to explore options (including Public-Private
Partnerships) to establish and operate a seafloor observatory system. The identification of legal
risk is a key factor in developing a ESONET. Issues to be addressed will include obligations of the
‘owner(s)’ of the network and obligations of contractors. WP 5 will further advance these
processes through:
a)
Initial output after 18 months: Tutorial on developing network as a business building on
models developed through ESONIM.
b)
Developing the ESONIM implementation model to actual implementation plans for specific
locations. This will be done through legal/business analysis by experienced commercial
entities and definition of scientific and technical operational requirements by the Science and
Technology Community. WP 5 will contribute seed funding to such activities, with main
funding (as required) being sourced through potential implementation partners. Specific legal
and business questions will also be addressed.
c)
Facilitating/brokering Strategic Workshops/meetings on implementation models/plans to be
targeted at State officials, investment interests and other business interests. Such workshops
can be held in the margins/context of GMES Fast track initiatives, development of industry
protocols etc and be aimed to secure specific agreements and resources for implementation
of systems. Evaluation of possible shared management structures and services, which could
be established under an Article 169, Deep Sea Floor Frontier Initiative, ESFRI (eg EMSO
proposal on ESFRI list of opportunities) or other ERA-NET Initiatives. Article 169 is
potentially a very powerful instrument to integrate National programs The first step in this
work package will be to build the regional (trans-national) consortia able to invest in and
seek complimentary structural funding.
ESONIM will provide appropriate legal models and frameworks which can be further evolved in
ESONET NOE meetings and workshops.
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B.4.4. Activities to spread excellence
B.4.4.1. WP 6 Socio economic users
Objectives:
The ESONET Report contains considerable data and analysis of potential user category, user area
of interest and policy issues as summarized below:
User Interest
Policy Issue
Climate change monitoring,
Geohazard Assessment,
Education and Training,
Ecosystems Study and
Biodiversity assessment,
Environmental protection and
conservation,
Pollution, waste prevention,
Regulation policy, Civil security &
defense,
Offshore oil industry, mineral
extraction,
Biotechnology, Industrial
accidents,
Renewable energy, Tourism
climate change,
biodiversity,
decline/habitat destruction,
environmental security
,geo-hazards,
oil pollution/ hazardous
substances
water quality,
pollution, waste,
recreation.
User Category
National and Regional
Administration Bodies,
Public Departments,
Civil Protection
Authorities,
Research Institutions,
Universities,
Private Consultancy,
Industry,
Non-Governemental
Organisations,
Public
This WP will determine/outline:
a) direct clients for data, information and/or infrastructure;
b) indirect users of information as in education or outreach programs
c) possibilities for integration within decision support tools
Activities and Output:
a)
Building on ESONET CA and ESONIM SSA outputs, WP6 will identify a detailed list of
potential clients, their specific requirements and ability to pay for services or data produced
by the European Seas Observatory Network,
b)
Development of systematic contacts with identified potential costumers, towards formal
arrangements evaluating also their impact in the implementation process.
c)
Development of models for evaluation of the benefits of the European Seas Observatory
Network to its costumers, either using current or to-be-developed networks and technologies;
d)
Assessment of the impact of ESONET on European Society as a whole;.
e)
Organisation of workshops held which can be in conjunction with Workshops under WP5 to
promote business plans needed for the implementation phase.
f)
Identification of limitations of available observation technology, to foster development by
the European private sector (SME) of new tools for the submarine monitoring of the Earth,
either sensors, data browsers or value added services;
g)
Promote on the political and societal levels the perception that the European Union must
monitor physical, chemical and biological processes occurring in the deep sea floor and be
competitive as a global player in this area of R&D
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Relations to politicians and lobbying to be detailled.
Relation to SMEs to be stressed
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B.4.4.2. WP 7 - Education and outreach
Objectives:
The main objective of outreach and training is the development and support of comprehensive
interdisciplinary programs for research, education and public outreach on deep waters around
Europe. ESONET will strengthen educational possibilities for students of all ages. This WP is
intended to integrate vertically and laterally at all educational levels: for teachers to mentor
scientists about how to teach kids, for data librarians to mentor teachers in the use of data archives,
for engineers to introduce students and teachers into their instrument design.
ESONET´s envisioned internet technologies will merge research portfolios and establish a shared
and mutually accessible research equipment. The joint public relations can provide a wide range of
new opportunities to explore and investigate the dynamics of the marine world using real-time data
flow to classrooms and living rooms coupled with cutting-edge visualization techniques.
Collaborators within the informal educational community will include museums, science centers,
aquariums, media, and youth programs.
Training:
The training of graduates and post graduates in multidisciplinary environmental sciences is an
important part of ESONET. The NoE is seriously committed to accomplish two complementary
goals: professional development of scientists/engineers and marine policy experts, and assistance to
the ESONET full-time staff. Opportunities of training of full time staff through exchange personnel
among involved institutions will be promoted. The program will provide interns with an
opportunity to work on projects relevant to their research, area of concentration, or degree. A
collaboration with existing undergraduate programs will improve and restructure undergraduate
curricula. The partners will be identified through the first ESONET workshop that focuses on
undergraduate/graduate formal education offering incorporation of real-time data into
undergraduate and graduate coursework and research. Partners from industry are committed to join
these workshops. Trained postdocs and postgraduates who are funded by ESONET will disseminate
the ideas developed within the NoE. Recruitment activities will be used to promote gender-balance.
Thus one objective is to offer fellowships which will be 50 % granted to female applicants. Joint
training programs will encourage postgraduates and staff to move or even relocate between the
partners.
The core group will be supported by assistant partners and will invite partners from the new EU
member states for the integrated activities. All these restructuring activities will lead to higher
scientific excellence of the new generation of scientists and engineers of the EU. International
cooperation: close links with other long term observatory projects in both US, Canada and Asia will
allow cross fertilization of ideas and technological approaches.
Implementation:
Task 1: Build an educational website showing work and create class material.

Link with teachers and produce teaching aids and resources for a wide audience, ranging
from schoolchildren up to undergraduate level.
Task 2: Build a Web portal with a real-time web interface
• Show to all users metadata as well as the study sites using web-cams and underwater activities of
internet operated vehicles, Service-ROVs.
Task 3: Communicate results and new developments
• Outreach at an appropriate level to the general public through TV, radio and press. Lecture tours
by ESONET scientists around Europe at scientific and popular levels will be undertaken.
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Task 4: Thematic maps
• Novel thematic maps(thematic maps and 4D visualization of ecosystems) on paper, dynamic
electronic versions in GIS technology and real time data transfer will be presented at international
conferences, and distributed to universities, research centres, museums, schools, societies, private
foundations, NGOs and companies.
Task 5: Organize a series of workshops, seminars and meetings.
• Training for postrgraduates and engineers involved in deep-sea research, including participants
from developing countries
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B.4.5. Management activities
B.4.5.1. WP8 Organisational, management and governance structure
The ESONET NoE has a core membership comprising partners with over 20 years of experience in
collaboration in marine science programmes. Most core partners participated in the ESONET CA.
Under the NoE, these partners will form a sustainable organisation governed by an executive
committee and supported by councils for science, test and operation, and data management. The
core partners, signatories of the contract with the European Commission, will form the permanent
organisation, but under the terms of the consortium agreement the NoE will allow accession of
additional members for varying periods of time. The structure of ESONET management is aimed at
initiating future integration at European level. In this respect, we envision the extension of the
partnership in the course of the project so as to best insure durable management of the ESONET
observatory network.
ESONET will be ruled by a Consortium Agreement already in circulation between proponents.
B.4.5.2. Executive Committee
The Executive Committee consists of the Co-ordinator, the Scientific Director (President of the
Scientific Council), the Test and Operation Director (Chairman of the Test and Operation Council),
the Data Management Director (Chairman of the Data Management Council), delegates of Main
Contractors whose country is not represented by the 4 previous responsible persons, Work Package
leaders, and the two delegates elected by the Assembly.
Coordinator.
The Co-ordinator shall be the intermediary between the Parties and the Commission in relation to
the Parties’ obligations as Contractors under the Contract.
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ESONET NoE
European Commission
Co-ordinator
Scientific Council
Chairman
Test and Operation Council Chairman
Data Management Council Chairman
Executive Committee
WP1 WP2 WP3 WP4 WP5 WP6 WP7 WP8
General Assembly
Members
(Main) Contractor
Associated Partners
New Associated Partner
Organisational, management and governance structure of ESONET
The Co-ordinator will chair the Executive committee and coordinate management to meet the
objectives of the network in terms of scientific and technological integration. The co-ordinator will
also regularly review the network’s achievements in terms of improving the gender balance.
Scientific Director and Scientific Council (SC). The SC consists of distinguished representatives of
the various scientific disciplines who are key players in their respective fields both from within and
outwith Europe. It will meet at least once per year. The SC should deliberate on science-related
matters of the Network, assess the quality of WPs and evaluate new projects and partners before
presentation to the general assembly.
Test and Operation Council (TOC)
TOC shall consist of the leaders of the related WPs and key-partners. TOC shall design the plan for
performing tests looking also to the operational aspects. To assess this plan, the criteria of sharing,
exchanging and integrating infrastructures, equipments and personnel will be followed, paying
attention to the compatibility of the different activities and their schedule. The plan will be
implemented according to the recommendations of the SC.
Data Management Council (DMC)
DMC shall consist of the leaders of the related WPs and key partners. DMC shall coordinate and
evaluate the data storage, data quality and data dissemination methods used througout the project. It
will have in charge the compatibility with existing data bases and promote the integration inside the
project. It will ensure the relation with initiatives of systems of systems (GEOSS).
General Assembly
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In order to take decisions on the overall organization of the Network, the Parties and Members shall
meet in the General Assembly. To this end, each Party or Member shall appoint an authorised
representative to the Assembly by notice in writing sent to the Co-ordinator.
Extension of partnership will be eased throughout the project. The integration at national or
transnational level (for example a group will be constituted on OAT with FORTH,
CINTAL,NERSC,ULB, IFM-GEOMAR…) will result in Contractors representing more members.
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B.5. Description of the consortium and of the excellence of the participants
B.5.1. Give evidence of the endorsement of the organisations involved of the intended
resources sharing and structural and organisational changes arising from the
implementation of the JPA.
All the key partners have been involved in development of this field of research for several years
and have prepared a consortium agreement to be signed by all partners making a full commitment in
the implementation phase. EU funding is sought to support integrating activities but each institute
has also embedded the ESONET project into their future plans and significant resources will be
made available. . Several meetings have prepared the NoE. Partners have presented a large extend
of their scientific excellence and a number of sea going facilities (Ships, HUV, ROV, AUV, large
infrastructures , test sites…) they propose for the joint program activity.
Decision of integration have already been initiated by the constitution of national groups
represented by one Contractor of ESONET NoE. IFREMER signed an agreement with CNRSINSU (representing French academic laboratories involved in the field of deep sea observation).
The partners of this national consortium are the funding agencies responsible for sea going facilities
KDM (Konsortium Deutsche Meeresforschung )
Five German institutions are represented by the German Marine Research Consortium KDM 2
within the ESONET-NOE.
INGV has many bilateral and multilateral agreements with the main institutions involved including
Italian Navy, and can represent these organisations. They agreed to share infrastructures.
HCMR will commit all the necessary resources and represent all Greek members.An agreement is
reached between Portuguese members for integrated representation by one Contractor.The Marine
Institute co-ordinates the ESONIM Project and is a lead partner in the Irish National Seabed Survey.
It is planned that significant resources will be allocated to seabed research initiatives in the period
2006-2012 under the Irish National Development Plan – this will include investment in seabed
observatory related initiatives.
Other national or transnational integration agreements will be promoted during the project. Serious
commitments including important resources are proposed. In UK, within the University of
Aberdeen, the ESONET forms part of the €2million development of Oceanlab.In Sweden
University of Goteborg, has several operational ROVs and will establish the cold water coral test
site as a permanent part of the ESONET infrastructure.
B.5.2. Give evidence that the appropriate level of decision making within each organisation
is actively involved and committed.
IFREMER and INSU directors have both endorsed strategic plans that give high priority to deep sea
floor observatories development, they give support already to MOMAR and Ligurian ESONET
nodes . The two institutions will keep aiming at the achievement of an European Observatory
Network.
INGV President fully supports the initiative and also Authorities at National and Regional level
have supported financially the development of seafloor observatories with Eastern Sicily and
Ligurian Sea as important goals. This support will be renewned through the present NoE.
HCMR participation is strongly supported by its governing body (Ministry of Development,
General Secretariat of Research and Technology), as well as the board of directors of HCMR.
At the Eurocean event on 13 May, 2004 the Irish Minister for Marine, Communications and Natural
Resources, Mr. Dermot Ahern TD, requested the Marine Institute to take a leading role in
developing multinational partnership to establish a sub-sea cabled observatory in the Porcupine area
of the Atlantic.
2
KDM is a non-profit organisation of currently ten institutions and universities of Germany in the field of marine
sciences. KDM tasks comprise: a) joint research and research planning, b) research development, c) infrastructure
management of the national pool of research vessels and ocean instrumentation, d) the promotion of international
cooperation and representation in international bodies and e) public outreach.
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The management of German members have agreed to be involved in ESONET NoE and to
participate jointly inside KDM.
University of Aberdeen, ESONET is supported by the principal and Vice chancellor as a major
strategic development.
University of Goteborg partnership is strongly supported by the Dean of Faculty of Science, the
Head of Dept. Of Chemistry, the Director of Tjarno Marine Biological Laboratory and the Director
of the Marine Research Centre of Goteborg University.
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B.6. Quality of the integration
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B.7. Organisation and management
Paragraph on calls:
 One call for PhDs (small number to be determined. Issued on Month 2. Decision on Month
6).
Advice of Scientific Committee. Advice of Test and Operation Committee. Advice of Data
Management Committee. Decision of Executive Committee.
Criteria to be explained.

Permanent call for exchange of personnel (issued on month 2 to start with, reviewed at
every Executive Committee meeting).
Advice of Scientific Committee. Advice of Test and Operation Committee. Advice of Data
Management Committee. Decision of Executive Committee.
Criteria to be explained.

Call for demonstration actions. At least one during the project duration (2 or 3 if budget
allows).
First call on month 2. Decision on month 6. Cruises from month 16.
Advice of Scientific Committee. Advice of Test and Operation Committee. Decision of
Executive Committee.
Criteria to be discussed by WP4
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B.8. Joint Programme Activities – first 18 months
B.8.1. Integrating activities– first 18 months
B.8.1.1. WP1
Output (first 18 months): Plan for a European networked system as part of GEOSS. In cooperation
with WP2 and WP5 implementation of standard protocols on selected test sites.
The contribution of ESONET will come through GMES for several key parameters of the water
column. Month 14, a report will be issued on the common objectives and a decision will be taken
defining the content of the ESONET contribution to “Initial Operational Phase of GMES Marine
Core Services” as well as a regional policy on the downstream services.
Output (18 months): ESONET NOE will enhance the collaboration and will organize a common
schedule and methodology of all tests.
Output (18 months):ESONET NOE will constitute a database of the equipments accessible in
European area from private or public bodies, able to contribute to sub-sea observatory
implementation, extension and maintenance. A core group of institutes and companies operating
with similar methods will be constituted and will be restructured their activities.
Output (18 months): The common use of these facilities will be focused on integrating purposes: i)
issue common rules of security between equipments, ii) data collection and data dissemination, iii)
build procedures to optimise maintenance time, retrieval of samples, exchange of sensors, iv) check
lists, semi-automated or automated data validation, cross calibration, v) Comparison of data for
multidisciplinary exchanges.
The participation of engineers from partners to the “shift team” managing the test site as practiced
by the ANTARES group will be a strong integration mean. This kind of common experience will be
promoted.
Output (18 months):Our first action will be to organize an international conference-workshop that
will bring together the ESONET community and representatives of sub-sea observatory science
worldwide, highlight the experiences and achievements of individual ESONET nodes, and allow for
working group discussions of ESONET site- and science-specific observatory issues. We anticipate
that several specific working groups are constituted that deal with the Arctic, Atlantic,
Mediterranean and Black Sea. As an outcome of this conference, site- and science-specific project
groups will be constituted. These groups will play an active role in the implementation of the
scientific and technological tasks defined in WP3. We envision that their activities will include
holding individual or joint workshops, promoting exchanges in ideas and personnel between the
ESONET nodes, maintaining an update of ongoing activities at each regional node, and providing
regular input to the ESONET web page and newsletter.
Output (18 months):ESONET will be recognized internationally as the European actor in sub-sea
observatories. A European group specialized in “cork”, shallow boreholes and associated
instruments will be established.
B.8.1.2. WP2
Output (18 months:The state of the art will be gathered and presented in a workshop (output from
EXOCET/D, ORION, ASSEM… projects). Protocols and metrology requirements will be issued.
They will be applied to new development and the result will be tested through an interoperability
test session involving SMEs. The demonstrations of ESONET (WP4) will use these
recommendations.
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B.8.2. Programme for jointly executed research activities– first 18 months
B.8.2.1. WP3
A “Best practice workshop” will shear the results of past experiments on these componants,
including failures. Underwater engineering research teams will analyse this state of the art,
determine necessary improvements and integrate their efforts on ageing, biofouling protection and
other long term related R&D issues. A reliability assessment will be performed.
B.8.2.2. WP4
B.8.2.3. WP5
Initial output after 18 months: Tutorial on developing network as a business building on models
developed through ESONIM.
B.8.3. Activities to spread excellence – First 18 months
B.8.3.1. WP6 – Socio economic users – First 18 months
Stakeholders and partners :
Building on ESONET CA and ESONIM SSA outputs, the first stage of the WP will identify a
detailed list of potential clients, their specific requirements and ability to participate to funding.
Contacts will be taken or renewed in the name of the NoE in order to contribute to the development
of implementation plans under WP5. The above task will be performed during the first months of
the project in order to meet the month 2 milestone “Updated state of the art from previous EC
projects”.
Initiating communication policy :
Every 3 month, ESONET NoE will issue “ESONET News – Europeans observe the deep sea” (see
maquette). Although it will constitute a major information tool for ESONET NoE internal
communication and its integrating objectives, its editorial line will target stakeholders and socioeconomic actors in general. It will be available from the web portal (start month 6) and in this way
provide additional information to the public and education bodies (WP7). Exemplaries will be
printed and, with an ESONET NoE brochure, will be a discussion basis with socio economic users.
Through the scientific and technological news, ESONET News will explain :
. importance of scientific issues,
. mastering of the technology and business plan,
. the role of political support for underwater observatories,
. partnership with successful implementations in North America and Japan,
. complementary role of ESONET in situ observation with satellite, coastal surface and
subsurface ocean layer data collection.
Build up a first circle of core services user group :
European seas have common policy issues and user interests. A number of potential users need time
series or alarm data from several regions in European seas and in many cases would like a single
homogeneous access to its processing and interpretation.
These users and communities will be contacted by ESONET NoE in such a way to develop the
relation into formal arrangements. They will constitute a first circle after 18 months. Their
specifications will highly orientate the second 18 months phase of ESONET NoE.
Example: tsunamis warning systems organization, European marine safety agency, oil industry, fisheries, GMES
core services users.
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Build up a first circle of regional observatory stakeholders :
For each regional ESONET network, specific users can be identified. Either due to the scientific
topics addressed (Momar for hydrothermal sites for instance) or due to a link with local needs (such
as tourism, pollution issues, local authorities, …), they are willing to finance only a node, a branch
of network or a regional network.
ESONIM is a first case study for such contacts on the Celtnet Porcupine network project. During
the first 18 months, the contacts will be taken with stakeholders of the various regions where
ESONET proposes underwater networked observatories.
During the first 6 months, it will prepare the “All Regions workshop n°1”, a milestone of WP6.
This will establish the first circle of potential users of each regional network.
Models of financing and benefits :
Once a first significant group of users identified, models for evaluation of the benefits of Seabed
Observatories Network to its clients will be initiated for the most advanced regional networks. A
first approach of services that cost efficiency and client structure may need to keep at European
scale will be attempted. This is an input to the business models of WP5.
SMEs involvement :
The marketing kind of approach undertaken by WP6 is not consistent if the private companies and
SMEs are not involved in the process. It will be a major issue to inform the SMEs on month 12 at
latest, a “SME group” will be constituted.
B.8.3.2. WP7
The partners will be identified through the first ESONET workshop that focuses on
undergraduate/graduate formal education offering incorporation of real-time data into
undergraduate and graduate coursework and research. Partners from industry are committed to join
these workshops.
To build a Web portal with a real-time web interface for all users showing metadata as well as the
study sites using web-cams and underwater activities of internet operated vehicles, Service-ROVs.
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B.9. Description of the resources necessary to implement the joint programme of
activities
Only shortly discussed during Paris Writting group worshop on 18/01/06
Budget split into:
1 - management, external communication, inviting external experts
2 workshop and travels
3 PhDs (few)
4 Partnership, exchange of personnel (including senior)
5 Demonstration (including consumables)
More than half the budget should be dedicated to calls 3+4+5
Roland Person looks in detail to the applicable rules and will send a specific text on this.
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B.10. Other issues
B.10.1. Ethical issues
The ESONET project will adhere to the ethical rules described in the Guide for Proposers. The
proposed research raises no sensitive ethical questions related to human beings, human biological
samples, personal data and genetic information. The ESONET project will adhere to codes of
conduct and national legislation concerning the use of test animals and genetically modified
organisms. with endangered and protected species will be avoided and will only be carried out in
exceptional cases where there is no direct harmful effect on the plants or animals. Experiments
involving invading species will only be performed under strictly controlled conditions, and the
necessity of the experiment will be evaluated by an Experiments independent panel. Experiments
where the risk of accidental release of specimens is zero. In all these cases, the rules and
recommendations of international bodies such as IUCN and ICES will be strictly followed. During
fieldwork the disturbance to species and habitats will be restricted to the minimum required. For
marine protected areas, permission for fieldwork will be requested where necessary.
B.10.2. Policy issues
The European Commission's Communication to the Council of the EU and the European Parliament
entitled 'Towards a strategy to protect and conserve the marine environment' (COM(2002) 539) sets
out a roadmap for the development and implementation of an ecosystem approach to assessment
and management of marine resources. It highlights the need to improve communication between the
research community and those engaged in operational activity both in establishing research priorites
and in applying results to operational monitoring and assessment. ESONET supports many of these
recommendations in its work programme.
The recently announced EU action plan to boost Environmental Technologies for innovation,
growth and sustainable development (IP/04/117, 28 January, 2004) intends to enable the EU to
become a recognized leader in environmental technologies. ESONET in developing standardised
approaches to the use of 'state of the art' environmental monitoring technology and long-term
deployed instrumented platforms is well placed to contribute to the goals of this action plan.
ESONET is also relevant to the Energy Policy and Transport Policy with respect to use and
protection of the marine environment (for example, mandatory environmental assessment prior to
exploration and exploitation of licensed blocks for hydrocarbons, communication and electrical
cables, pipelines, and maritime transport). Better environmental baseline data and understanding of
ecosystem processes together with better localisation of geohazards will improve environmental
protection and safety.
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B.11. Gender issues
The ESONET consortium will follow the principle that the criterion of excellence is independent of
gender and will adhere to the gender mainstreaming strategies that have been adopted by the
Commission. The project activities will at all times promote gender equality.
B.11.1. Gender Action plan
The proportion of women in marine science decreases rapidly from more junior to more senior
levels. In light of this, the ESONET partners will ensure that there are no barriers to leadership roles
for female participants within the network. Indeed, within the ESONET network, female scientists
have already been appointed as ………………………...
Actions to ensure gender equality will include:
 ensuring that women are equally considered for membership of the …………………….
subcommittees, and as Work Package leaders, helping to establish good role models;
 establish a Gender Monitoring Sub-Committee which will monitor the role of women within
ESONET and ensure equal opportunities;
 consider the scope for women to give high profile presentations (e.g. keynote talks at
conferences) on project results etc. to raise their profile and develop career and networking
opportunities;
 identifying other training and development opportunities;
 ensure that access to employment and training opportunities within the scope of the project
are open, transparent and non-discriminatory. The employment opportunities directly related
to the project will be advertised as widely as possible, and the appointment panels should be
of mixed sex;
 ensuring that outreach and education activities promote the role of women in science and the
opportunities that exist for women to get involved in ocean research. All outreach and
education activities should provide positive role models for female students;
 preventing inappropriate use of language and concepts regarding gender bias. The reports and
outreach activities will be screened for use of language and concepts that can lead to gender
bias, or fail to take account of gender.
ESONET cannot control the employment practices of partners that are governed by larger
organisations. However, awareness of best practice in gender equality can be shared and may
instigate longer-term changes, taking into account regional and cultural differences. Examples are:
 promotion schemes allowing self-nomination and based on published criteria recognizing a
variety of outputs (this has increased promotion of women in UK-NERC);
 annual staff appraisals emphasising development needs for the individual;
 maternity and paternity leave, part-time and flexible-hours working, job sharing, career
breaks, childcare support, home working, special leave, sabbaticals.
To guide these actions, the ESONET project management office will gather disaggregated statistics
to show the role of women in the project and their participation in events such as training and
project conferences. The project also undertakes to contribute this data to surveys and investigations
instigated by the EC.
B.11.2. Gender issues
We consider that there are no gender issues attached to the subject of ESONET research.
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NoE List of activities
Full duration of project
Project acronym Participant 1 short
Participant 2 short
Participant 3 short
Participant 4 short
Participant 5 short
Integrating activities
Joint research programme
Spreading
activities
Consortium
activities
of
excellence
management
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TOTAL
PARTICIPANTS
ESONET
Workpackage list (18 months)
Workpackage
No3
Workpackage title
Lead
contractor
No4
Start
month5
End
month6
Deliverable
No7
TOTAL
Workpackage number: WP 1 – WP n.
Number of the contractor leading the work in this workpackage.
5
Relative start date for the work in the specific workpackages, month 0 marking the start of the project, and all
other start dates being relative to this start date.
6
Relative end date, month 0 marking the start of the project, and all ends dates being relative to this start date.
7
Deliverable number: Number for the deliverable(s)/result(s) mentioned in the workpackage: D1 - Dn.
3
4
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Workpackage list (18 months)
Workpackage
No 7
7
Workpackage title
Education and outreach
Lead
contractor
No8
KDM
Start
month9
0
End
month10
Deliverable
No11
48
TOTAL
8
Number of the contractor leading the work in this workpackage.
Relative start date for the work in the specific workpackages, month 0 marking the start of the project, and all
other start dates being relative to this start date.
10
Relative end date, month 0 marking the start of the project, and all ends dates being relative to this start date.
11
Deliverable number: Number for the deliverable(s)/result(s) mentioned in the workpackage: D1 - Dn.
9
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Deliverables/milestones list (18 months)
Deliverable
No12
Deliverable title
Delivery
date
Nature
13
14
Disseminat
ion
level
15
Deliverable numbers in order of delivery dates: D1 – Dn
Month in which the deliverables will be available. Month 0 marking the start of the project, and all delivery
dates being relative to this start date.
14
Please indicate the nature of the deliverable using one of the following codes:
R = Report
P = Prototype
D = Demonstrator
O = Other
15
Please indicate the dissemination level using one of the following codes:
PU = Public
PP = Restricted to other programme participants (including the Commission Services).
RE = Restricted to a group specified by the consortium (including the Commission Services).
CO = Confidential, only for members of the consortium (including the Commission Services).
12
13
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Deliverables/milestones list (18 months)
Deliverable
No 7
Deliverable title
Delivery
date
Nature
Disseminat
ion
level
Dx
Build an educational website and
produce first teaching aids
6
O
PU
Dx
ESONET class material on science background
9
O
PU
Dx
First educational and training workshop
12
O
RE
Dx
ESONET outreach brochure
18
O
PU
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Workpackage description (18 month plan)
Workpackage number
Workpackage title
Participant id
1
Start date or starting event:
Objectives
Description of work
Deliverables
Milestones16 and expected result
16
Milestones are control points at which decisions are needed; for example concerning which of several
technologies will be adopted as the basis for the next phase of the project.
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Workpackage description (18 month plan)
2
Jan 2007
Workpackage number
Start date or starting event:
Workpackage title STANDARDISATION and INTEROPERABILITY of SENSOR SYSTEMS
MAR Techn IFRE
UPC
SMEs others
Participant id
UM
omare MER
Objectives
o Achieving interoperability of sensor systems by defining a standard architecture
o Recommendation of practical standardisation schemes for integration of instruments on
different platforms
o Coordination and proliferation of standardisation concepts for ocean observatories in
consensus with European SMEs and international observatory initiatives
o Constitute a permanent group of Quality Assurance responsibles
Description of work
o Inquiry about existing standardisation schemes (Link to WP1)
o Inquiry about existing infrastructures (Cabled like ANTARES, SN1, Mobile ROV, AUV, and
relocatable (Link to WP3)
o Evaluation of practicability of existing standardisation concepts with involvement of European
SMEs
o Organisation of workshops and training sessions, exchange of personnel (Link to all WPs)
o Planning of common cruises (Link to WP3)
o Planning of a case study for existing cabled observatory systems
o Demonstration of the concept during field trials
Deliverables
o Implementation of Best Practise workshop
o Report on case study
o Report on field tests
Milestones and expected result
o Reaching consensus on practical standardisation schemes
o Planning of field tests as part of the demonstration actions
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Workpackage number
4
Start date or starting event:
Workpackage title : Demonstration Missions
Partners involved
Participant id .
INGV IPGP
Month 1
in
funded
demonstration
proposals…
Objectives
To deploy and manage long-term complex experiments at sea aimed at testing seafloor
observatory components and infrastructures and demonstrate the network’s capability to
establish and maintain marine observatory infrastructures as the base for the forthcoming
European Sea Observatory Network, and to address the scientific, geohazard, and
technology objectives of ESONET.
Description of work
WP4 will fund and coordinate sea real scale experiments at sites of high scientific interest involving
critical components of the observatory designs developed for ESONET nodes, including data and
energy transmission systems at cabled and non-cabled observatory sites. WP4 will also coordinate
joint research activities related to the preparation, and subsequent debriefing, data analysis and
interpretation of these demonstration missions.
Demonstration missions will be planned according to a selection procedure started by the issue of a
‘Call for proposals’. WP4 first task will be to issue this Call and promote it within the network. WP4
will then manage the evaluation process, and moderate discussions of submitted projects at the “All
regions Workshop”.
The WP4 will take in charge the following tasks:
- Preparation of the draft of the call and circulation to the 3 NoE Councils for emendation and
approval
- Issue of the Call
- Presentation and promotion of the Call at General Assembly
- Receipt of the proposals and relay to members of the 3 councils and to external reviewers for
evaluation
- Management of the discussions of proposals at “All regions workshop”
- Starting of the implementation of demonstration missions after the receipt of the EXCOM decisions
on successful proposals
- Management of the Workshops on Demonstration Missions, also jointly with All Regions
Workshops
- Preparation of the report on the Demonstration Missions
Deliverables:
- Text of the ‘Call for proposal’ after approval of the EXCOM
- Demonstration Mission Planning to be submitted for approval to Tests and Operations Council
- Periodical reports on Demonstration Missions
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Milestones17 and expected result
Month 1 :Call for proposals issued
Month 6 : Selection of succesful proposals
Month 16: start of the deployement at sea
2nd “All regions Workshops”
3rd “All regions Workshops”
17
Milestones are control points at which decisions are needed; for example concerning which of several
technologies will be adopted as the basis for the next phase of the project.
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Workpackage number
Workpackage title
Participant id
WP6
Start date or starting event:
Objectives
This WP will determine/outline (i) direct clients for data, information and/or infrastructure; (ii)
indirect users of information as in education or outreach programs (iii) possibilities for integration
within decision support tools. This meaning:
a) Building on ESONET CA and ESONIM SSA outputs, WP6 will identify a detailed list of
potential clients, their specific requirements and ability to pay for services or data produced by
the European Seas Observatory Network,
b) Development of systematic contacts with identified potential costumers, towards formal
arrangements evaluating also their impact in the implementation process;
c) Development of models for evaluation of the benefits of the European Seas Observatory
Network to its costumers, either using current or to-be-developed networks and technologies;
d) Assessment of the impact of ESONET on European Society as a whole;
e) Organization of workshops held which can be in conjunction with Workshops under WP5 to
promote business plans needed for the implementation phase;
f) Identification of limitations of available observation technology, to foster development by the
European private sector (SME) of new tools for the submarine monitoring of the Earth, either
sensors, data browsers or value added services;
g) Promote on the political and societal levels the perception that the European Union must monitor
physical, chemical and biological processes occurring in the deep sea floor and be competitive as
a global player in this area of R&D;
Description of work
Stakeholders and partners
Building on ESONET CA and ESONIM SSA outputs, the first stage of the WP will identify a
detailed list of potential clients, their specific requirements and ability to participate to funding.
Contacts will be taken or renewed in the name of the NoE in order to contribute to the development
of implementation plans under WP5. The above task will be performed during the first months of the
project in order to meet the month 2 milestone “Updated state of the art from previous EC projects”.
Initiating communication policy
Every 3 month, ESONET NoE will issue “ESONET News – Europeans observe the deep sea” (see
layout). Although it will constitute a major information tool for ESONET NoE internal
communication and its integrating objectives, its editorial line will target stakeholders and socioeconomic actors in general. It will be available from the web portal (start month 6) and in this way
provide additional information to the public and education bodies (WP7). Copies will be printed and,
with an ESONET NoE brochure, will be a discussion basis with socio economic users.
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Through the scientific and technological news, ESONET News will promote :
. the importance of scientific issues,
. the mastering of the technology and business plan,
. the role of political support for underwater observatories,
. partnerships with successful implementations in North America and Japan,
. the complementary role of ESONET in situ observation with satellite, coastal surface and
subsurface ocean layer data collection.
Build up a first circle of core services user group
European seas have common policy issues and user interests. A number of potential users need time
series or alarm data from several regions in European seas and in many cases would like a single
access point to its processing and interpretation. These users and communities will be contacted by
ESONET NoE in such a way to develop the relation into formal arrangements. They will constitute a
first circle after 18 months. Their specifications will highly orientate the second 18 months phase of
ESONET NoE. Among the priority user groups we can easily identify the TWS (tsunamis warning
systems) European Marine Safety Agency, Oil Industry, GMES core services users, .fisheries, etc…
Build up a first circle of regional observatory stakeholders
For each regional ESONET network, specific users can be identified. Either due to the scientific
topics addressed (Momar for hydrothermal sites for instance) or due to a link with local needs (such as
tourism, pollution issues, local authorities, etc…) they are willing to finance only a node, a branch of
network or a regional network.
Main costumers include national and regional administration bodies, public departments, civil
protection authorities, research institutions, Universities, private consultancy, Industry, NonGovernmental Organisations, Public. Their main interests already identified during ESONET CA are
climate change monitoring, Geohazard Assessment, Education and Training, Ecosystems Study and
Biodiversity assessment, Environmental protection and conservation, Pollution, waste prevention,
Regulation policy, Civil security & defense, Offshore oil industry, mineral extraction, Biotechnology,
Industrial accidents, Renewable energy, Tourism
ESONIM is a first case study for such contacts on the Celtnet Porcupine network project. During the
first 18 months, the contacts will be taken with stakeholders of the various regions where ESONET
proposes underwater networked observatories.
Models of financing and benefits
Once a first significant group of users identified, models for evaluation of the benefits of Seabed
Observatories Network to its clients will be initiated for the most advanced regional networks. A first
approach of services that cost efficiency and client structure may need to keep at European scale will
be attempted.
SMEs involvement
The marketing kind of approach undertaken by WP6 is not consistent if the private companies and
SMEs are not involved in the process. Their involvement can be done either as system suppliers,
software developers, data users or value added services.
External promotion
Promote on the political and societal levels the perception that the European Union must monitor
physical, chemical and biological processes occurring in the deep sea floor and be competitive as a
global player in this area of R&D;
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Deliverables
Every 3 month, ESONET NoE will issue “ESONET News
During the first 6 months, it will prepare the “All Regions workshop n°1”, a milestone of WP6. This
will establish the first circle of potential users of each regional network.
This is an input to the business models of WP5.
Milestones and expected result
Month 2 milestone - Updated state of the art from previous EC projects
Month 6 milestone - All Regions Workshop nº1
Month 12 milestone - Cost-efficiency Study
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7
Workpackage number
Start date or starting event:
Workpackage title Education and outreach
KDM
Participant id
(IUB)
Month 0
Objectives
(i) Build an educational website and produce first teaching aids
(ii) Organize an initial workshop for postgraduates and engineers
(iii) assemble a common pool of lecture notes
(Iv) Publish a real-time interface to ESONET research
Description of work
Task 1: For the educational website, information on ESONET, including the scientific background,
will be adapted for public and educational purposes. This will include documentation on ocean margin
research and technology, metholdology scientific and socio-economic background, and presentation
of specific material and interactive web excercises to show “how to do ESONET research”.
Task 2: Class material will be adapted to ESONET objectives and transferred to teachers as teaching
aids and resources for a wide audience.
Task 3: WP 7 will held and introductory workshop to introduce ESONET to the postgraduates and
engineers. The goal is to create an environment and mix of participants that will inspire a diversity of
discussion and cross-fertilization of ideas.
Tasks 4: A Web portal with a real-time web interface will be installed to show to all users metadata as
well as the study sites using web-cams and underwater activities of internet operated vehicles,
Service-ROVs. This will enable the general public to actively participate in ESONET research at the
demonstration sites.
Deliverables
Dx Installation of ESONET Educational website (Month 6)
Dx ESONET class material on science background (Month 9)
Dx First educational and training workshop (Month 12)
Dx ESONET draft web portal (Month 18)
Milestones and expected result
Month 6. Preliminary educational website fort he introduction of ESONET to the general public
Month 12. Preliminary class material on science background to be sent to schools
Month 12. Train postgraduates and engineers on science background in the first educational workshop
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Month 18. Publish draft ESONET web portal
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Ethical issues checklist
Table A. Proposers are requested to fill in the following table
Does your proposed research raise sensitive
ethical questions related to:
Human beings
YES
NO
Human biological samples
Personal data (whether identified by name or not)
Genetic information
Animals
Table B. Proposers are requested to confirm that the proposed research does not
involve:

Research activity aimed at human cloning for reproductive purposes,

Research activity intended to modify the genetic heritage of human beings which
could make such changes heritable18

Research activity intended to create human embryos solely for the purpose of research
or for the purpose of stem cell procurement, including by means of somatic cell
nuclear transfer.
YES
NO
Confirmation : the proposed research involves
none of the issues listed in Table B
18
Research relating to cancer treatment of the gonads can be financed
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APPENDIX A
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APPENDIX B
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APPENDIX C
Artic Node
Norvegian margins
North Sea and North Atlantic
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Porcupine
Porcupine Seabight Transect / CeltNet
The area of the Celtic Sea shelf into the Porcupine Seabight and out to the Porcupine
Abyssal Plain (Fig 1) is the most intensively studied part of the European NE-Atlantic margin.
Fig. 1. The NW-European continental Margin in the
vicinity of the Porcupine Seabight . In the last 25
years intensive time series studies have been
carried out at Station PSB (UK & EU-programmes),
PAP (UK & EU-programmes), BIOTRANS
(German & international JGOFS programmes) and
on the slopes and at Goban Spur, OMEX-Transect
(EU-Projects).
Fig. 2. The Porcupine/CeltNet area
southwest of Ireland covers two
biogeochemical provinces: NADR and
NECS.
Very
high
seasonal
phytoplankton blooms occur in these
provinces.
The extraordinary concentration of oceanographic research to the vicinity of the PSB and the
repeated examination of the time series stations PSB, PAP and BIOTRANS led to a series of
fundamental new insights and partly changes in paradigms on the functioning of deep water
ecosystems: biodiversity, benthic-pelagic coupling, and long-term changes (global change) in
deep-sea ecosystems. The spread of new surveying technologies in oceanography in the
last decade (e.g. swath bathymetry, deep towed side scan sonars, ROVs, AUVs) resulted in
the finding of geological structures and ecosystems of special interests such as carbonate
mounds and deep-water coral reefs which have been lately intensively studied by
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programmes of the EU-OMARC cluster (ACES, GEOMOND, ECOMOUND). The Goban
Spur continental margin transect investigations (OMEX) represents one of the few studies
on the role and functioning of continental margins in the exchange of materials between
continent and ocean as a basis for the development of predictive models of global
environmental change.
The Celtic shelf and slope is a key area of industrial exploitation on the European continental
margin with intensive fisheries down to about 2000m water depth and oil and gas
prospecting. It is one of the main gate ways of global transport (shipping) with a high risk of
environmental impacts by ship accidents with hazardous cargo. There is sound evidence of
severe damage to ecosystems of special protectional need such as deep water coral reefs
by trawling activity. The high biodiversity of the PSB and Porcupine Abyssal Plain (habitats,
species) prompted international organisation (OSPAR) and natural conservation
stakeholders (WWF) to demand the establishment of marine protected areas (MPAs) in the
Porcupine Seabight/ Porcupine Abyssal Plain proper extending to BIOTRANS (Fig 1).
In consequence the western European continental margin southwest of Ireland is a focal
locality of colliding interests between the conservation of an unique biodiversity (habitats,
communities, species) and industrial exploitation (fisheries, oil, gas) with high risks of large
area contaminations by hazardous ship cargos (e.g. oil spills in 2002 “Prestige”, “Sea
Empress”). To keep a balance between the health of the environment and human
exploitation a sustainable management is needed. This can only be achieved with a
monitoring strategy which includes the long-term observation of natural processes in
combination with the monitoring of environmental impact parameters (physical, chemical,
meteorological and climatological). A continuous observation should provide the data base
for a series of forecasting modells on the development of biological communities esp.
fishable stocks, accidental pollution scenarios (alarms) and global climatological impacts
Recent scientific exploration .(FP 5 OMARC) along the European ocean margin proofed the
existence of a deep-water coral ecosystem belt stretching from northern Norway to NW
Africa extending into the Mediterranean Sea. The two colony forming stone coral species,
Lophelia pertusa and Madrepora oculata, have the potential to construct impressive reef
frameworks similar to their tropical cousins. They are essentially involved in the formation of
the spectacular carbonate mounds off Ireland. Aside these structural aspects, deep-water
coral ecosystems attract a yet unknown number of associated species that live permanently
or temporarily there. Many of them are of economic importance. This important biological
resource, however, is in many places severely exploited and under threat. Amongst a suite of
human impacts to the deep coral ecosystems, demersal trawling creates by far the strongest
destruction. We are just at the beginning to understand the functional role and the dynamics
of the key species. Most intense occurrences are concentrated in areas where a complex
seabed topography such as banks, ridges, seamounts, canyon systems exert a physical
control on the deep current flow such as by the generation of topographically-guided
filaments, current acceleration and density-driven convection. In this respect, the coral
ecosystem acts as a benthic recorder of ocean circulation, nutrients and carbon flow.
Therefore distribution of deep-water coral/ carbonate mound ecosystems at the Irish Atlantic
frontier can be applied to understand the structure, functioning and dynamics under the
particular trophic system of the NADR (North Atlantic Drift, Fig. 2).
The trophic state of the upper mixed ocean layer in the NADR is seasonally eutrophic with
significantly pulsed particle exports from the upper mixed layer in spring and late summer.
Of particular interest is the question: What is the influence of the NADR biogeochemical
conditions on the biodiversity, functioning and dynamics of the coral/carbonate mound and
other benthic ecosystems thriving under this trophic situation at present and in the past?
Global change and the reaction of marine ecosystems can be addressed by investigating the
change of biodiversity which occurred in deep-water coral ecosystems during the last glacial-
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interglacial cycle. While the now vigorously growing coral reefs in Scandinavian waters
started to develop in a formerly glaciated environment just at the end of the Termination IB.
the geologic history of the coral-capped carbonate mounds off Ireland probably extends back
over the past 2 Million years.
.
Coral-covered carbonate mounds of the Belgica Mound Province (BMP), north-eastern
Porcupine Seabight are main targets for proposed long-term seafloor observatories. The
BMP consists of about 25 exposed and 20 buried carbonate mounds that structure the
continental margin in a confined depth limit between 600 and 900m (Figs 3, 4). Exposed
mounds arise 50 to 200m above the adjacent seabed, thus forming topographic obstacles in
the local current regime. While the shallower mounds are covered by early Holocene coral
debris, flourishing coral ecosystems thrive along the summits and flanks of the deeper
exposed mounds. Here dense thickets of colonial coral frameworks, produced by Lophelia
pertusa, Madrepora oculata, and locally by stylasterids provide a complex 3-dimensional
habitat for a species rich community of benthic and demersal organisms. was influenced by
global change, i.e. the peaked Northern Hemisphere glacial-interglacial cycles.
Challenger Mound
Fig. 3. Seismic profile across bathymetrically Fig.4 The Belgica Mound Province on the
zonated mounds in the Belgica-Mound slope of the eastern Porcupine Seabight
Province (data from Henriet, Gent University). between 600-1100m.
Adjacent to the Irish continental margin extends the Porcupine Abyssal Plain (PAP). Surface
water layer winter condition at PAP is of a mixed layer as deep as 500-800m driven by
thermally convective overturning and wind forcing supplying nutrients into the upper mixed
layer. With warming and reduced storm frequencies in spring the water column becomes
more stable and a thermocline of about 50m thickness is established leading to major
phytoplankton blooms (Figs 5, 6). PAP lies south of the main stream of the North Atlantic
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Current and is subject to return flows from this coming from the west and northwest. An
intermittent stream of cyclonic and anticyclonic mesoscale eddies occurs across the area
extending sometimes several thousand meters into the water column. During the past
decade the intention has been to observe changes in rate and state variables within the
entire water column and benthos for a wide range of biogeochemically significant features in
the centre of the PAP (BENGAL Station). The site appears to satisfy many of the conditions
for simplicity as it lies well apart from the continental margin where physical gradients are
strong. It is situated in the middle of the biogeochemical province of the North Atlantic Drift
and there is no evidence of significant advective supply of material. Processes at the seabed
are dynamically coupled to upper mixed layer processes geared by atmospheric forcing The
downward flux of particulate matter from the upper part of the water column has a profound
effect on ocean biogeochemistry and hence on the global climate. As the material sinks it is
subject to remineralisation and with increasing depth, the chemical components such as the
green house gas C02 become more and more isolated from the atmosphere. Export below
the winter mixed layer may isolate it from the upper ocean for decades or centuries. In
deeper part of the water column (>1000m) long-term moored sediment traps have shown
that there are strong regional variations in magnitude and seasonal variation in downward
particle flux, controlled to a large extent by upper ocean biogeochemistry and plankton
community structure (biological pump). Plankton dynamics produce strong seasonal signals
as well as significant inter annual variations both in the timing and magnitude and
composition of the organic matter flux to the sea bed.
Fig. 5. Space view of the seasonal variation of
phytoplankton chlorophyll biomass in the North
Atlantic. The spring bloom is a process of large
biogeochemical consequences for the marine
ecosystems of the NW-European margin.
Fig. 6. Space view of intensive phytoplankton (Coccolithoporids) blooms at
the shelf edge of the NW-European
margin in late summer. Blooms
indicate the contours of Porcupine
bank, PSB slope contour and Goban
Spur.
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Fig. 7. Particle flux to the sea floor (19988- Fig. 8. Phytodetritus on the abyssal seafloor at
2004). Note the extreme inter annual and PAP
seasonal differences (data from R. Lampitt,
NOC)
Life in the deep sea is almost entirely dependent on the fall out of organic matter from the
surface layers. Therefore the abundance, biomass and composition of deep sea life is
influenced by the patterns of surface productivity. The abundance of deep sea fishes is
clearly influenced by surface production. Furthermore the flux from the surface varies both
seasonally and from year to year in quantity and biochemical composition. In the NADR
province on the Porcupine Abyssal Plain a strong seasonal deposition of phytoplankton has
been repeatedly observed between late May and late summer at 4800m depth (Figs 7,8).
Over time the composition of the deep sea fauna has changed possibly associated with
change in fluxes to the deep sea influenced by the North Atlantic Oscillation. During 19972000 a sudden infestation of the Northeast Atlantic Ocean abyssal plain by sea cucumbers
Amperima rosea (6457 ha-1) and brittle stars Ophiocten hastatum (54,000 ha-1) was detected
If such events had occurred following some human intervention, such as deep sea waste
disposal, it is likely that that the anthropogenic effect would have been held responsible. It is
evident that the deep waters around Europe function as coupled systems and it cannot be
assumed that the deep sea is uniform and stable but is in dynamic equilibrium with the upper
ocean .Large scale changes occur that are very poorly understood. The central Porcupine
Abyssal Plain location (PAP) in the NADR is the best monitored deep sea abyssal location in
Europe. However monitoring only began in 1989 and a number of years are missing from
the time series. There is an urgent need to establish continuous monitoring at this and other
sites in order to track changes over time in the oceans around Europe. Simple exploration
during single visits to locations is no longer adequate.
The continental margin and the Celtic Sea southwest of Ireland offers the unique opportunity
to study processes in an extremely diverse habitat structure and biodiversity in combination
with all major geo-morphological structures in a relatively confined area. These facts and the
already existing data base led to the planning of a glass fibre optical based net work of
observatories – CeltNet -in the Porcupine Region (Figs. 9, 10) within the FP-5 ESONET
Project because:
 It encompasses all important deep-water habitats (except seeps) in a confined area.
 It contains a large habitat diversity and biodiversity and thus an enormous genetic
and natural product potential.
 It is located in an a region, where global changes will manifest rapidly (changes in
atmospheric forcing, currents, productivity, plankton and benthic biota, fish stocks).
 It contains ecosystems with high indicator potential, dynamically. responding to either
natural or anthropogenic environmental changes (e.g. aphotic corals)
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

It is impacted by economic interests (fishing, oil and gas prospection) and a high
anthropogenic disturbance potential (shipping accidents).
There is a strong demand for environmental protection (foundations of MPAs) by
nature conservation stakeholder.
Fig 9. The proposed CeltNet cable: A telescope Fig. 10. The CeltNet cable system of
into the NE-Atlantic.
approximately 1350km length covers all
relevant continental margin features of the
NW-European margin: shelf sea, slopes of
different morphology (PSB, GBS), canyon
(WHC), abyssal plain(PAP).
Some major objectives addressed by CeltNet are to make long-term systematic observations
of marine abiotic and biotic processes and key parameters in the Porcupine region such as:
Climate change depicted by:
- coral biota response,
- other key biota response (e. g. sponge belt and abyssal megafauna)
- biodiversity and habitat changes
- productivity changes,
- biogeochemical changes (proxies),
- changes in the quantity and composition of deep water masses (salinity, temperature,
current speed & direction),
- variation in surface water masses (integrity of the North Atlantic Current),
- changes in atmospheric forcing (e.g. NAO impact),
Anthropogenic impact depicted by:
- coral and other biota response,
- biodiversity and habitat changes
- occurrence and distribution of pollutants
Transport processes at different margin morphologies
-.slope failures and sediment transport,
- canyons as conduits between the deep-sea and the upper slope,
-physical processes (e.g. tidal waves, internal waves, vertical mixing, upwelling, convection,
filament formation).
A feasibility study for CeltNet is presently carried out within FP-6. The ESONIM Project
identifies the best technical solution, provides the economic justification and suggests the
appropriate legal structures to establish a seafloor observatory that conforms to the model
defined by ESONET. ESONIM provides convincing reasons and the methodology required
for national governments to implement seafloor observatories offshore Europe. ESONIM
selected CeltNet as a model to demonstrate a transferable methodology to implement any of
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the ten proposed ESONET sites. A guide to scientific justification for a seafloor observatory
site and a process for assessing revenue generation will be established, by inviting
submissions from ESONET partners and interviewing end users of the proposed CELTNET
site. The observatory architecture proposed by ESONET will be tested by an engineering
design team who will select the best technical implementation solution for CeltNet. Using
data provided by the engineering design team a business development team of financial and
legal consultants will calculate the capital cost of installation, the running costs, the potential
revenues, sources of funding and the cost of financing. Legal consultants will address
insurance and indemnity issues, propose model contracts and suggest partnership
agreements. Public private partnerships will be considered. The business development team
will present a business model with a projected ten year cash flow forecast for the CELTNET
site. The deliverables from ESONIM will be used by ESONET-NoE partners to petition their
respective governments for support to establish seafloor observatories. ESONIM will
promote and facilitate the take up of the results of ESONET and will contribute to the
implementation of observing and forecasting systems to make long-term systematic
observations of marine parameters necessary for global change research and management
strategies.
Acores
Gulf of Cadiz
Ligurian Sea
East Sicily
Hellenic
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Black Sea
Acores
Gulf of Cadiz
Ligurian Sea
East Sicily
Hellenic
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Black Sea
GEODYNAMIC POLYGONES FOR NOTIFYING AND PREDICTING POSSIBLE
EARTHQUAKES IN THE BLACK SEA AREA
Numerous deposits of natural gas attached to the tectonic infractions in earth's womb are known in
the Black Sea shelf zone (fig.1). A project for constructing geodynamic polygon in the immediate
vicinity of the Black Sea region has been developed in relation to rapidly increased seismic activities
during last years.
The idea for Zelenka geodynamic polygon construction came into being after becoming familiar with
the revealed records of the Russian Navy in 1988, in which are described strange phenomena in the
sea before (several hours) the Crimean earthquake (12.09.1927 - 7 grade on Richter's Scale . In
front of the observing points in Lukuk, Eupatoria and Sevastopol fires were watched. A few days
before the earthquake divers watched increased gas emission from the bottom. Most of the Russian
researchers accept the version that hydrogen sulfide was burning but this is very illogical suggestion
because the burning of this gas requires special conditions.
The reason for the observed "fires" in the sea might be explained with release of gas (methane) from
the earth's womb, which gas ignited spontaneously upon saturation in the atmosphere and its
intensive release was due to the tensions occurred in the earth's crust immediately before the
earthquake.
Therefore, the idea for the geodynamic polygon is based on the registration of changes in
gas-methane rates in the permanently active gas springs related to the tectonic infractions
several hours before the occurrence of the earthquake.
The increasing seismic activity during 1999 nearby region of the Black Sea, sometimes
with disastrous consequences, should be a ground for care about the possibilities for
occurrence of similar phenomena in Bulgaria. We still remember the earthquake of 4, April,
1977 with epicentre the Vrancha mountain (Romania). It caused great destruction in some
populated locations in North Bulgaria. We also remember the earthquake in the village of
Strajitza. Our purpose is not to make analogy to different earthquakes and earthquake zones
but to underline that the consequences can appear to be catastrophic. They are especially
dangerous in the areas with enormous material values and human resources available.
There is a serious problem for the industry, geologic researches and the eventual oil
and gas production, port equipment and communication, etc.
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The activation of slide processes in the earth crust can be regards as a direct consequence
from the low-amplitude vibrations in the region. It caused significant damage amounting to 25
mln USD for 1996.
Despite the good world-wide experience in the earthquake study, mechanisms for right
forecast and announcement on time have not been created yet. Various attributes are used for
forecast of the earthquakes: undersoil water level, radioactive emanations, precocious
measurements, etc.
One of the dangerous regions in seismotectonic concern is the Kaliakra or Shabla
seismic zone. The seismic and differentiating character of the earthquakes in this region is
closely related to the deep fracture and the block construction of the crust fig.1. Data about
the seismic activity of the region have dated for centuries. During I AD, the town of Bisone,
located on the Chirakmana plateau above the present Kavarna port, sank under the water as a
result of powerful earthquake of 10 degree. The slide of enormous rocky masses caused flood
of Balchik. In 1444 because of earthquake in the region the coastal cities were completely
destroyed and the rivers changed their beds. During the great Kaliakra earthquake (31 March,
1901- 10 degree) many cities alongside the coast were destroyed. Gas fountains were
observed in the shallow-water part of the sea. In the period between 1900 and 1957 the total
number of the local earthquakes is more than 100. Usually the depth of the earthquake
locations in the dangerous Kaliakra zone is about 10-20 km. Without having the purpose to
explain the nature of earthquake processes in detail, we would like to note that the block
construction and the fracturing tectonics are of main importance for the seismotectonic
activity of the region.
Underwater gas sources alongside our coast have been known for a long time to the
local fishermen. In 1951 they were explored by the Varna geologic expedition and their
carbohydrogen nature was discovered.
Systematic researches and mappings of the underwater gas sources have been carried
out by since 1976.
Two gas sources are marked-" Zlatni Piasaci" and "Zelenka".
The gas emission site Zelenka was discovered in May, 1975. It is located 170-270 m
from the shore opposite to the fisher's hut of the same name, 3.5 km to the West of Kaliakra
cape.
The gas emission site is rectangular in shape - 550 m in length and 25-100 m wide at a total
area of 28 960 sq.m (fig.1).
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The gas effusions are attached to fracture dislocations, along which the gas migrates from supposed
Oligocene deposit. A deposit of this age has been discovered at land, in the vicinity of Bulgarevo
village, situated near Zelenka. It is supposed that the Bulgarevo gas deposit continues in the Black
Sea water area. The intensity of gas emission is not changed with time that testifies for stable
source of carbohydrate gas supply .
In the indicated region of the Balchik bay behind the area of 18-20 m isobats in the
wave seismic field there are rising and tectonic infractions in the Neozoic precipitation.
The following chemical composition (in vol. %) is determined from the gas tests:
CH4
C2H6
CO2
O2
N2
Zelenka 1
95.15
0.11
0.29
0.52
3.93
Zelenka 2
94.38
0.13
0.20
0.49
4.80
Zelenka 3
92.89
0.10
0.19
1.66
5.16
Zelenka 4
94.31
0.17
0.39
0.59
4.54
Balchik
96.05
0.11
0.23
1.47
4.14
He - is not determined ; H2 -no ; C3H8 - traces in several samples
The preliminary estimate of the rate is made on the basis of diving measures . The maximum
number of gas flows counted in the region of intensive gas effusions Zelenka is 700. The minimum
gas quantity from the gas flow is 0.34l/min and the maximum - 4l/min for the surface. Thus, the
average annual rate is 2.17 x 60 x 24 x 0.365 x 700 = 798,386.4 m3.
The gas emission site "Zlatni Piasatsi" was observed by geologists in 1951. It is located at 1.2
km to the East of the shore opposite the Zlatni Piasatsi Resort. (fig.1)
Carbohydrate gas release from the sea bottom at a depth of 8-15 m is in the form of bubbles, intensively
"boiling" along the water surface.
The shape of the surface with identified gas release is tapered with length of 800-1000
m and width varying from 200 m in the middle part to 25-50 m in the flanks.
The carbon hydrate gas emission intensity in duration of 40 years is permanent by sight that is an
evidence for reliable source of gas supply. The exit of gas is from contemporary sand precipitations
at the sea bottom. It is supposed that the effusive gas flows are connected with post-sedimentation
faults, along which enter carbohydrate gas from gas deposits in the Oligocene. Natural gas
composition:
CH4
C2H6
CO2
O2
N2
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Zl.Piasatsi 1
95.03
0.17
0.19
0.32
4.29
Zl.Piasatsi 2
94.99
0.16
0.10
0.39
4.36
He - 0.008; H2S - no; H2 - no; deuterium is not determined; gas density - 0.5761; ΣС1+С2 =
95.2; ΔC13\CH4\ = - 5,8 %; Q = 8351 kkal (Mandev et al.,1978; Mandev, 1978).
Minimum gas quantity from gas flow at the sea bottom is 0.2 l/min. Maximum gas quantity from gas flow at the sea bottom is 2l/min.
Having in mind that the measuring points of rate are at different depths, the average rate of gas flow for the sea surface is about 2.2
l/min. The maximum number of counted gas flows 1200. The average annual rate is 2.2 x 60 x 24 x 0.365 x 1200 =1,387 584 m3.
The possibilities for use of the natural gas released from the sea are specious regarding
economic point of view if we suggest the cost of 1 tone conditionally fuel is 100 USD. If the
consumption rate of one household for cooking and hot water is 1500 m3/ per annum and
having in mind the above mentioned cost, that gas quantity will cost a little over 100 USD. At
capturing Zlatni Piasatsi and Zelenka gas emission sites it is supposed nearly 2, 000 000 m3
carbohydrate gas to be obtained. That's why the risk of investing funds for receiving
information about the resources of gas released in the sea and the possible exploitation for
local use is absolutely account for future economic profits.
The line character of gas emission as well as the character of the gas is a proof that it comes along
fractures and probably goes out from Oligocene sediments together with fresh water in the gas
emission locations- this is proved by the salinity of the bottom sea layers.
The geodynamic polygon is decided to be built up in the region of "Zeienka" because
of the following considerations:
- The region is in the center of the Kaliakra earthquake zone.
- The gas emission goes out along faults.
-The gas -sources are very close to the coast- that makes the construction cheaper and
makes the service of the polygon easier.
The main element of the geodynamic polygon is the captation installation. The
purpose is : capturing the gas, measurement and control of its capacities. After defining the
emitting gas quantities it is possible to gather the gas and use it for everyday and industrial
needs.
The scheme of the caption installation is shown on fig.2- caption body in the form of
semi-sphere or semi-cylinder (semi-pipe) is fitted in a special way above the underwater gas
sources.
At one side of the body (1) is built-in wide pipe (2) ending with flange where a
flexible membrane is fitted by bolts. The built-in pipe is equipped with line pipe (3) with
valve. The other side of the body (1) is a hermetic input of cable-pipe (10) which ends in the
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inner volume of the body(1) with muffle for the pipe and branch box (8) for the cable. The
muffle is connected with valve and outlet tube.
Seismic sensors (5), one fitted outside the captation body (1) and the other- in the
center, as well as the sensors for pressure (9), for sea-water temperature (6) and for salinity
(7) are included to the branch box (8) by means of hermetic couplings. There is data available,
showing that the gases from deep parts come together with fresh water.
Water layer with a height of hw is kept in the inner volume of the body (1). This layer
is of two importance: first, it does not allow a break in the natural gas emission and second- it
leads to decrease in the lift of gatherings in the gas inner volume. This results in a decrease in
the construction underwater weight and in lower costs for the equipment.
Skin-divers enter the inner volume of the body (1) through wide built-in pipe. They
make the bottom even around the construction periphery, connect the cable-pipe (10) with the
muffle (11) and the branch box (8), install the sensors (5,6,7 and 9), blow with inert gas the
pipe from the coast to the caption body (1). After these operations the built-in pipe (2) is
closed by flange, bolts and flexible membrane (4). The cable-pipe (10) is put in previously
dug ditch (4) and ends on the shore with muffle (12), dividing the pipe-line and the cable. The
pipe is fitted with valve (13), one-way valve (14), pressure sensor (15) and gas capacity gauge
(21) with electronic terminal. After the gauge, the gas enters the reservoir (22), equipped with
pressure gauge (23), draw out valve (24) and moisture draw out valve. Along the cable cores
towards the gauge and commutation circuit (16) come signals from seismic sensors. (3),
situated in the body center and out of the body, from the temperature sensor (6) and salinity
sensor (7), (resp. electric conduction), as well as the signals from the pressure sensor (15) and
the gas capacity gauge (21).
The signals from the gauge and commutation circuit (16) are changed in analoguedigital device (17) and enter the computer (18). By means of input-output device can be
realized program for non-stop control of seismic sensors and the gas capacity gauge.
Gas sources connected to deep faults exist in the Black Sea near Georgia, the Ukraine,
etc. Therefore, similar polygons can be constructed in the Black Sea water area near almost all
Black Sea countries. A complete regional observation of seismic activity at a presence of
computer connection between the separate polygons can be created. Such an approach is
necessary because of the existence of active boundaries between the tectonic plates and subplates in geological past and now in the Black sea region (fig.3) where a number of weak and
strong earthquakes are registered.
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List of Graphics:
Fig.1 Scheme of Gas Emanations (a) and Geological Profiles: Zelenka (b) and Zlatni pyasatsi
(Golden sands) (c)
Fig.2 Geodynamic polygon “Zelenka”: (a) Captation installation of underwater gas-sources;
(b) general view of the seismological polygon
Fig.3 Major tectonic elements
References:
1. Andrew Robinson, Giacomo Spadini, Sierd Cloetingh, John Rudat. 1995 Stratigraphyc
evolution of the Black Sea: inferences from basin modeling. Marine and Petroleum
Geology, Vol 12, N8, pp. 821-835.
2. Мандев П. 1978 Газова снимка на Балчишкия залив. Нефтена и въглищна геология,
С, БАН, , 9.
3 Мандев П., К.Маркова, В.Какачева 1978- Нефтени и газови прояви по черноморското
крайбрежие в Бургаско. Нефтена и въглищна геология, С, БАН, , 8.
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Marmara
RELAVANT PUBLICATIONS
Cagatay, M.N. Görür, N., Alpar, B. Saatçılar, R. Akkök, R. Sakınç, M., Yüce, H. Yaltırak C.
and Kuşçu. İ. (1998). Geological evolution of the Gulf of Saros, NE Aegean Sea. GeoMarine Letters, 18: 1-9.
Cagatay, M.N., Görür, N., Algan, O., Eastoe, C.S., Tchapalyga, A., Ongan, D., Kuhn, T.
Kuscu, İ., 2000. Late Glacial-Holocene palaeoceanography of the Sea of Marmara: timing
of connections with the Mediterranean and the Black Sea. Marine Geology, 167(3-4): 191206.
Cagatay, M.N., Borowski, W.S. and Ternois, Y.G. (2001). Factors affecting the diagenesis of
Quaternary sediments at ODP Leg 172 sites in western North Atlantic: evidence from pore
water and sediment geochemistry. Chemical Geology, 175:467-484.
Cagatay, M.N., Görür, N., Alpar, B., 2002. Western extension of the North Anatolian Fault
and associated structures in the Gulf of Saros, NE Aegean Sea. In: N. Görür et al. (eds.),
NATO Advanced Research Seminar “Integration of Earth Sciences Research on the 1999
Turkish and Greek Earthquakes” pp. 60-71. Kluwer Academic Publishers.
Cagatay, M.N., Görür, N., Polonia, A., Demirbağ, E., Sakınç, M., Cormier, M.-H, Capotondi,
L., McHugh, C, Emre, Ö., Eriş, K., 2003, Sea level changes and depositional environments
in the İzmit Gulf, eastern Marmara Sea, during the late glacial-Holocene period. Marine
Geology, 202, 159-173.
B.12. Cagatay, M.N., Özcan, M., Güngör, E., 2004. Pore water and sediment geochemistry in
the Marmara Sea (Turkey): early diagenesis and diffusive fluxes. Geochemistry:
Exploration, Environment and Analysis (GEEA), 4(3):1-13.
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