WP3 Infrastructure and interface issues
Lead: Dr. Christoph Waldmann, MARUM, Germany

Sensors have been designed by separate laboratories and companies generally for usage on a specific platform, be it a buoy, autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) or remotely operated vehicle (ROV). As a consequence, numerous types of sensors exist that have a wide variety of technical specifications, such as power usage, sensor interface and communication as well as data output formats. The increasing numbers of sensors being employed on specific platforms requires the definition of standards and special arrangements based on best practices that allow for interoperability and easy integration into according platforms. Ever increasing numbers of sensors as well as data volumes necessitate novel techniques of data storage, display and analyses. A common problem, that is shared by most sensors that are deployed in the marine environment for prolonged times is bio-mediated fouling of sensor surfaces. This work package will address issues that are of concern for all users of sensors including the topics of antifouling, assuring proper operation conditions of sensors through pre- deployment qualifications, sensor integration procedures, data standardization and multi-sensor data display and analyses using state-of-the-art geographic information systems (GIS).

Images showing the effects of biofouling (courtesy Ralf Prien, NOCS)

The outcome of this package will be a move towards sensors that are qualified for long- term and multi-platform operations, and being able to provide a comprehensive set of metadata for the proper description of the individual instruments to the hosting platform or network. The resulting approach is partly a harmonisation process, and is not intended to invent something entirely new. Rather, it will be based on best practices already established in ocean sciences or in related fields. However, this harmonisation will be an important prerequisite for development of instrumentation for long-term observations as for instance anticipated within the ESONET project.

Sensors developed for use in the marine environment are most efficiently used when combined with other sensors on a platform; the platform can take the form of a buoy system such as the ANIMATE programme, an AUV (e.g. Autosub), or an observatory system. Within this workpackage specific sensor packages for according scientific tasks will be constructed and tested in the field. An assessment of the systems can be achieved through the check of consistency of the collected data and derived parameters. This verification/validation process is essential for the qualification of all long term data sets. Tools for integration of different data sources into a coherent geospatial system like ARCVIEW, GLOBALMAPPER and the ADELIE software of IFREMER are very valuable in that context.

In situ sensors will also have problems with biological fouling, and as we move towards deep-sea and coastal observatories, the ability to deploy sensors for long periods of time will be limited unless we address this complex issue. There are existing technologies for reducing or preventing fouling but these have rarely been studied with reference to in situ sensor technologies.

This work package will produce outputs that impact across all of the RT’s from the other WP’s, all of which will need to consider antifouling issues, data collection, storage and platform integration. The industrial partners involved in SENSEnet will take an active over seeing role in this WP and will proved direct input through the provision of a course on the commercial development of sensors.