Seafloor observation infrastructure for Europe

Deep-sea monitoring enhances our understanding and prediction of important processes affecting ecosystems and the global environment. Furthermore, it provides real-time data related to major episodic events in progress, such as earthquakes and tsunamis not captured by conventional sea-going campaigns.

The EMSO (European multidisciplinary seafloor observation) project constitutes the preparatory phase required to establish the legal and governance framework for a planned research infrastructure (RI) linking 11 seafloor nodes from the Arctic to the Mediterranean.

This preparatory phase solves critical issues not addressed by other projects – for example, the harmonisation of national, European and industry funding with respect to scope, objectives and timing. It also deals with logistic constraints regarding available resources and environmental protection. In addition, it will investigate possible technical bottlenecks for which currently no off-the-shelf solutions exist.

The aim is to adopt the European Research Infrastructure Consortium (ERIC) as the legal framework for management of the EMSO. This was agreed and EMSO will be coordinated by a central coordinating body and secretariat, which will organise open access to the facilities.

Continual updating of the financial situation has highlighted the tremendous potential for future EMSO implementation as a result of sustained and significant national investment in fixed-point observatories. Furthermore, a business plan covering both the investment and the operational expenditures for the first decade of service was drawn up.

Logistics tools have been developed and scientists are creating common protocols. Technical issues addressed include the replacement of unreliable components, long-term protection of deep-sea sensors and power utilisation requirements.

Contact was established with several large projects in the marine field and all the environmental infrastructures. In addition, discussions have begun regarding the management and exchange of data.

EMSO has prepared the ground for implementation of a large European infrastructure of deep-sea observatories for real-time monitoring of environmental processes, including natural hazards in European waters. Open access and a central coordinating secretariat will ensure maximum benefit for all concerned.