Patrice Woerther

MAREL: automated measurement network for the coastal environment

The MAREL programme attempts to develop automated monitoring stations for classical sea water analysis, able to work autonomously in coastal areas. A land-based station automatically receives and stores data, keeps them available for the users via the Internet and may also receive alarm messages from monitoring stations. Water samples are pumped from different levels in the sea water column and are analysed by sensors located in a measuring cell on the floating structure. This allows a continuous cleaning of the sensors to secure measurement quality and the injection of chlorinated ions in the hydraulic circuit to avoid biofouling. The system status can be known at any time and, if necessary, in some cases, can be repaired by remote operating maintenance, saving data and saving an onerous on-site intervention. The measuring system can be adapted to different conditions of the coastal environment, for example estuary environment with turbid waters and very fast variations of the parameters. It will be able to evolve by replacing or adding new modules for new parameter analysis. The data transmission system is also standardized, using the telephone and GSM network, VHF or satellites if necessary. Sensors used for the Seine Bay MAREL programme analyse water temperature, salinity, turbidity, pH, amount of dissolved oxygen, nitrates and chlorophyll in the sea water, and added parameters such as hydrological (current, wave) and meteorological (air temperature and pressure, wind) ones.

Objectives of the NeXOS project in developing next generation ocean sensor systems for a more cost-efficient assessment of ocean waters and ecosystems, and fisheries management

The NeXOS project aims to develop new multifunctional sensor systems supporting a number of scientific, technical and societal objectives, ranging from more precise monitoring and modelling of the marine environment to an improved management of fisheries. Several sensors will be developed, based on optical and passive acoustics technologies, addressing key environmental descriptors identified by the European Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) for Good Environmental Status (GES). Two of the new sensors will also contribute to the European Union Common Fisheries Policy (CFP), with a focus on variables of interest to an Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries (EAF). An objective is the improved cost-efficiency, from procurement to operations, via the implementation of several innovations, such as multiplatform integration, greater reliability through better antifouling management, greater sensor and data interoperability and the creation of market opportunities for European enterprises. Requirements will be further analysed for each new sensor system during the first phase of the project. Those will then be translated into engineering specifications, leading to the development phase. Sensors will then be tested, calibrated, integrated on several platform types, scientifically validated and demonstrated in the field. Translation to production and broad adoption are facilitated by participating industry. Overall, the paper presents an overview of the project objectives and plans for the next four years.

NeXOS, developing and evaluating a new generation of in-situ ocean observation systems

Many changes are occurring in the physical, chemistry and biology processes of the ocean. Understanding how these changes are driven is an element of the key environmental descriptors identified by the European Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) with the ultimate goal being to protect the resource base upon which marine-related economic and social activities depend. The Directive furthers the ecosystem approach to the management of human activities having an impact on the marine environment, integrating the concepts of environmental protection and sustainable use. To meet these goals, in-situ data are necessary for comprehensive modeling and forecasting of ocean dynamics. Yet, collection of in-situ observations is inherently challenging from the perspective of both time and resources. This paper addresses a new generation of acoustic, optical and fishery in-situ sensors that address these challenges. These sensor systems are multifunctional (single sensor systems addressing several phenomena), can be deployed on a large majority of ocean monitoring systems from surface to the seafloor, and operate for long periods with less maintenance. In addition, at the system and user interface level, the publication of data uses processes and formats conforming to OGC SWE standards and consistent with global ocean observing initiatives and ocean modeling portals such as Copernicus marine environment monitoring services. During the last three years, NeXOS has achieved a number of milestones, providing ten new sensors along with important transverse capabilities for anti-fouling and data management. The optical sensors include monitoring of marine contaminants such as hydrocarbons and components of the carbon cycle. New sensor systems for passive acoustic measurements with extended dynamic range include internal post-processing of acoustic information to reduce communication loads. Two additional sensors (chlorophyll-a and oxygen) have been added to the RECOPESCA system to support an Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries (EAF) for improving measurement of stock-relevant parameters, such as fluorescence (proxy of chlorophyll-a) as well as physical parameters (T, S, Depth) and fish species. Interface with the sensors is through a miniaturized smart sensor interface common to all new NeXOS sensor systems and a PUCK implementation facilitates streamlined platform interfaces. A common toolset for web-enabled and reconfigurable downstream services supports marine databases and data facilitators, from SeaDataNet to GOOS and the Global Earth Observation System of Systems (GEOSS). This paper provides description of sensors and their capabilities along with validation testing.

NeXOS development plans in ocean optics, acoustics and observing systems interoperability

A growing concern about the health of the world oceans resulting from multiple stressors as for instance effects of climate change and increasing offshore activities leads to the need of better observational tools and strategies. The objective of the NeXOS project is to serve those needs by developing new cost-effective, innovative and compact integrated multifunctional sensor systems for ocean optics, ocean passive acoustics, and an Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries (EAF), which can be deployed from mobile and fixed ocean observing platforms, as well as to develop downstream services for the Global Ocean Observing System, Good Environmental Status of European marine waters and the Common Fisheries Policy.

Instrumenting Giant Piston Corers: A Decisive Step in Understanding the Coring Process and Interpreting Data

Giant piston corers were introduced to the marine geotechnical site investigations market towards the end of the nineties. Such corers are also used for scientific studies by research institutes as Institut Francais de Recherche pour l’Exploitation de la Mer (IFREMER). Cores were observed to show distortion or mismatches between core length and the position of the sample in the soil.The instrumentation of corer provides valuable information on the behaviour of the corer. The instrumentation also allows the correction of sample length to its true penetration.This paper:• Describes the instrumentation now permanently mounted on the STACOR® giant piston corer• Presents the installation of sensors,• Describes the data interpretation,• Provides some recommendations for extending this monitoring to other large gravity corers.Copyright