Research Task 15 Integrating standardized sensor data into a common GIS system for storage, visualisation, and analyses

PhD position. Bremen, Germany, with secondments to Ifremer, France. Supervisors: Prof. Gerhard Bohrmann, Dr Christoph Waldmann, and Vincent Rigaud

The key objective of this research task is to integrate multiple sensor data into a geographic information systems (GIS) system in order to store, visualize and analyse geo- and time-referenced data. The development of such a system will build upon the experience with the ADELIE software developed by IFREMER, which is a post-processing tool-set which has been initially developed to visualize, handle, and enhance images, videos, and data recorded during IFREMER underwater vehicle dives but is now widely used in European institutions A major issue with regard to GIS databases is the standardization of datasets that needs to be defined in close cooperation with RT 16 as well as with the support by the world data centre (WDC) MARE at MARUM where concepts of data assimilation and storage are currently under development in the frame of the EU-funded project ESONET dealing with real-time marine observatories. The focus of RT 15 is to develop routines for GIS systems in order to visualise and analyse multiple sensor data. The task will use existing sensor data from cold seeps that are available at MARUM along with a long expertise in working in this field of science. The goal is to quantify the total flux fluid flux from a geological structure applying GIS-based analyses integrating geophysical, geochemical and visual data. Sites of fluid seepage have been successfully identified using multi-scale mapping techniques.⁽¹⁾ Previous work showed that the flux of fluids and chemical compounds are typically associated with micro-habitats⁽²⁾, which can be identified and mapped using sidescan sonar⁽³⁾ or video image mosaicking. The procedure of data standardization, integration into a GIS-based system, storage, visualisation and analyses is a painstaking undertaking that is up to now not routinely established. A major outcome of the research task is therefore to develop standard procedures and guidelines for the SENSEnet community.

⁽¹⁾ Sahling, H., et al. 2008. G3, 9, doi:10.1029/2008GC001978. ⁽²⁾ Sahling, H et al. 2002. Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser. 231, 121-138. ⁽³⁾ Sahling, H., et al. 2008. Mar. Geol., 249, 206-225.