EUROPEAN UNION

Sixth Framework Programme

Full Proposal

Full Proposal - Part A

Coordinator’s Name: Johannes Karstensen

Applicant Legal Entity: KDM/IFM-GEOMAR

Address of Legal Entyty: Wischhofstr 1-3, 24148 Kiel, Germany

Telephone: +49431 6004156 Fax: +49431 6004152

E.mail: jkarstensen@ifm-geomar.de

Proposal summary

ProposalAcronym:

MODOO

Proposal Title:MOdular Deep Ocean Observatory (MODOO) and its application in the Porcupine Abyssal Plain area

Duration in months:21 month: 01. March 2009 to 30 November 2010

Key-site(s): Porcupine Abyssal Plain (SW off Ireland)

Scientific and/or Technological areas:

SArea 1, SArea2, SArea 3, SArea 4

TArea 1, TArea 2, TArea 4

Partners (institutions and SMEs):

IFM-GEOMAR (KDM): Leibniz Institute for Marine SciencesNERC-NOCS: National Oceanographic Centre SouthamptonMI: Irish Marine InstituteNIOZ: Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea ResearchUNIABDN: University of AberdeenAWI (KDM): Alfred Wegener Institute

ESONET NOE2nd CALL FOR PROPOSAL FOR

DEMONSTRATION MISSIONS

Budget

Expected Activities:(please tick off one or more items of the list)

□ X Monitoring

□ X Data management

□ X Methodology integration

□ X Sea operations

□ Public outreach

□ X Infrastructure integration

□ Other (please specify)Personnel costs:(Personnel costs are only thecosts of the actual hoursworked by the personsdirectly carrying out workunder the DMs)

237.983,00 Euro

Other indirect costs:(Means eligible direct costsnot covered by the abovementioned categories of costs)

151.530,00 Euro

Maximum reimbursable indirect costs:(For DMs the reimbursementof indirect eligible costsdepends on the contractingtypes: if the contracting is AC the indirect costs are a flat rate of max 20% of the direct eligible costs; if the contracting is FC the indirectcosts are calculated as thereal costs).

107.062,00 Euro

Requested ESONETcontribution(The requested ECcontribution shall bedetermined by applying theupper funding limitsindicated below:Maximum reimbursementrates of eligible costs• Demonstration activities =100%• Management activities =100%

399.935,00 Euro

Max Total Pages: 20 pages including annexes

EUROPEAN UNION Sixth Framework Programme

Full Proposal

Full Proposal – Part B

Coordinator’s Name: Johannes Karstensen

Applicant Legal Entity: KDM/IFM-GEOMAR

Address of Legal Entyty: Wischhofstr 1-3, 24148 Kiel, Germany

Telephone: +49 431 6004156 Fax: +49 431 6004101

E.mail: jkarstensen@ifm-geomar.de

Proposal description

ProposalAcronym: MODOO

Proposal Title:MOdular Deep Ocean Observatory (MODOO) and its application in the Porcupine Abyssal Plain area

Duration in months: 21 month: 01. March 2009 to 30 November 2010.

Section 1: Objectives

This proposal aims to demonstrate the functioning of a MOdular and mobile Deep Ocean Observatory (MODOO) with real-time data access. The MODOO concept is linking and operating existing stand-alone observatories as such that they merge into a single observatory. MODOO is mobile (or re-locatable) as it can be moved to regions where it is required, MODOO is modular as its architecture allows other stand-alone systems to connect to MODOO.

For this Demo-Mission MODOO will be operated at the Porcupine Abyssal Plain (PAP), 350 nm off southwest Ireland, one of the ESONET NoE's key sites. At the PAP site exists the longest running multidisciplinary open ocean time-series in Europe. The science is dedicated to improve our understanding of the complex oceanic processes from surface waters to the seafloor. Short-term variability of the oceans is examined, including physical mixing, ecosystem dynamics and nutrient cycling. Also longer-term trends in the Earth’s climate are investigated. MODOO will make use of the existing water column mooring infrastructure at PAP, which forms part of the EuroSITES network of European Eulerian ocean observatories and develop this within the objectives of ESONET beyond the current state-of-the-art. MODOO will demonstrate one of the deepest acoustic links from the deep seafloor to the surface integrating the existing water column observatory with a benthic lander observatory into a single, real-time accessible observatory. The major scientific objective of the installation is:• Which processes initiate and control the fate of sinking material from the surface ocean to the deep sea floor? (SArea2, SArea 3, SArea 4)

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ESONET NOECALL FOR PROPOSAL FOR

DEMONSTRATION MISSIONS

The deep sea ecosystem at the PAP site is largely part controlled by particle and organic matter fluxes from above. Consequently, upper ocean interannual or longer variability can rapidly influence the ecosystem almost 6km below the ocean surface and in this way bringing climate change to this apparently remote location. The role of ocean stratification, transport, nutrient supply, and phytoplankton availability, will be simultaneously observed with MODOO. MODOO will demonstrate that the synergy of an advanced water column observatory with an advanced seafloor observatory provides a solution for the investigation of multidisciplinary processes in the euphotic zone through to the seafloor.

MODOO has also room for guest scientific missions: (1) one mission uses photography and passive sound recorders to investigate deep sea marine life. (2) The other guest mission utilizes seismometers and high precision bottom pressure sensors in relation to Tsunami Early Warning systems in the PAP region (SArea 1).

MODOO will link directly with industry to achieve this. To this end, MODOO will incorporate primarily commercially available components to allow for easy adaptation of the system. The technological objective of MODOO is the easy and reproducible integration of hardware and software components. Sensor standardization is required to ensure that individual data sets are comparable in quality and have at least one common variable (time) (TArea 1). The nature of the proposed concept is expected to substantially enhance the efficiency of the individual stand alone observatory systems (TArea 2). In particular we will demonstrate the interoperability of the stand-alone systems by making them compatible with the aid of defined standardizations (e.g. data flow, sensor operation, sensor standardization). Central hardware components of the observatory are the “Data Collection and Dissemination” (DCD) nodes. Theses DCD nodes link the observatories among each other via acoustic telemetry and with the “rest of the world” via satellite telemetry, connected to an appropriate data dissemination system (TArea 3). As MODOO is a concept to be applied to any non-cabled environment a satellite based data telemetric is required. Connection to the DCD node will also be done from moving platforms as ships and an autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) (TArea 3). The water column observatory at PAP is part of the EuroSITES project and this proposal is based upon synergies between EuroSITES and ESONET NoE – e.g. in respect to standardization, data dissemination, networking of expertise and the use of common infrastructure and servicing facilities (TArea 4). In addition, many of the personnel involved in MODOO are directly involved in EuroSITES and this will strengthen the work to be achieved. The Porcupine region has been identified as one of the twelve ESONET regions for possible development of a subsea cable system (CeltNet) and thus is an ideal test bed for MODOO. ESONET NoE provides a unique opportunity to approach the scientific and technological challenges of the proposed study.

Section 2: Relevance with respect to the objectives of ESONET NoE

a) Quality and effectiveness of integration (scientific, technological and infrastructure networking and integration)The major objective of MODOO is integration: First MODOO will integrate existing stand-alone observatory components into one observatory system. The baseline for this integration is along a common variable: time. This is true for scientific and technological integration. To ensure accurate timing the DCD nodes both have a time base with a nominal drift of 0.03 ppm per year (about 0.95 sec per year). In addition the surface telemetry system will be update its internal clock by comparison with GPS time. It should be noted that for the core scientific mission a time drift of a few seconds is not critical when looking for the vertical propagation of events. However, comprehensive analysis of tidal signals require a high accuracy of time and it is even more critical to have exact time information when it comes to geodynamical applications (e.g. in future deployments). Another aspect of MODOO which requires integration is the multi-disciplinarity in the group – bringing together scientists from many backgrounds with different vocabulary, approaches, objectives: physical and chemical oceanography, biogeochemistry, marine biology and geoscience. This was evident already during the preparation of this proposal but as the group is based on individuals which are used to work in multidisciplinary groups, designing common

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observing strategies to maximize the benefit for the core scientific mission as well as considering the requirements of the guest missions was not a problem. Networking opportunities are being exploited through the submission of an Exchange of Personnel proposal to ESONET NoE (MODOO connect): Four visits to four partner institutions will take place during the preparation phase of the project to train partners and to share scientific and technical expertise on data telemetry (acoustic and satellite).Outside the MODOO partners group other systems and projects will benefit from the availability of MODOO data such as the operational systems of IBI-ROOS and MyOcean. MyOcean objective is to define and to set up a concerted and integrated pan-European capacity for ocean monitoring and forecasting. MyOcean is the first step towards the Marine Core Service, one of the three GMES “Fast Tracks Services”. GMES is a joint initiative of the European Commission and of European Space Agency designed to establish a European capacity for the provision and use of operational information for Global Monitoring of Environment and Security. For large scale operational system as MyOcean the deep ocean is notoriously under-sampled as the cornerstones of the observational system: satellite data retrievals, Argo floats, and ships of opportunity programs, do not sample below 2000m water depth - as we do it in MODOO and other ESONET NoE Demo misisons. Through the science programs at the PAP sites (e.g. long history of sediment trap data, carbon uptake instrumentation) integration in other science programmes will be possible, the most natural example is EuroSITES. By serving the guest missions requirements we will also demonstrate the flexibility of the system. The acoustic link opens the opportunity for other future application as ship and AUV base acoustic data retrieval at installations where no surface telemetry is feasible.

b) Expected impact and durability of the achieved results: development, dissemination and application of project resultsThis project is designed to demonstrate the functioning of a fully integrated deep ocean observatory from the sea surface to the sub-sea floor including real-time data dissemination as well as remote (satellite) instrument control (e.g. event control). The system is designed to be mobile (in contrast to a cabled system) but mimics the basic functioning of a cabled system e.g. real time data access, remote sensor control. The purpose of this is to use the system to pre-survey an area for the most suitable cable based nodes – as such it has the potential to have a high impact on future cable based systems. This design ensures durability of the achieved results for future applications. The development proposed are mainly of intellectual nature as the system components have been widely used before. No new hardware is developed for the proposed system but existing hardware is modified to offer the full spectrum of expected functionality (e.g. integration of an inductive link to the mooring DCD node). Through their mobile and modular character, systems like MODOO are integral part of any global ocean observing strategy. One future application of a MODOO concept is integration on other full water depth mooring as for example in the Central Irminger Sea, one other EuroSITES nodes, which moreover is one of the planned Deep Water observatory nodes of the U.S. Ocean Observing Initiative (OOI). A joint deployment of MODOO via the EU and with support from the US OOI could be envisioned.Dissemination of the scientific as well as technological results will take place in well established ways via publication and reporting – to ESONET NoE as well as EuroSITES. Through the novel approach that is taken here we expect direct scientific impacts originating from the unique data set that will be obtained. In particular the role of the winter deep mixed layer in possibly accelerating (or not) the vertical flux of matter though the twilight zone is one very existing part of this experiment.

c) Standardization (overall organisation, procedures, methods, and equipment) and interoperability MODOO addresses standardization in several stages: In respect to data acquisition the instrumentation will be standardized according to procedures developed in other projects as ANIMATE, MERSEA, OCEANSITES but with reflection on achievements and recommendations from ESONET NoE WP 2. Technically the system aims to use standard interfaces (RS232) to be open to a wide spectrum

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of instruments to be connected to the system. As part of the DCD node tests a wide variety of instrumentation will be tested with the nodes for future applications.On the hardware side the realization of the data acquisition and dissemination is realized in the DCD nodes. The data flow, which is if relevance to ESONET NoE WP1, is standardized in conjunction with the efforts in EuroSITES (see figure 11). Data flow and quality control of real-time and delayed mode data is realized through this link.One of the objectives of MODOO is interactive sensor control enabled through the bi-directional telemetry system. Such a system will make true interoperability in respect to scientific goals feasible. This functionality allows the researcher to optimize the system during the mission to the scientific requirements needed.

d) Synergy with European and national funded initiativesListing the synergy between MODOO and other European and national projects will always be incomplete. Given the many years to even a decade of observational work that has been done at the PAP site it is not possible to give a list (and maybe not very helpful at this stage). However in case of European and international projects one may mention: European Ocean Observatory network (EuroSITES) is a FP7 Collaborative Project which aims to form an integrated European network of deep-ocean (>1000m) observatories. MODOO integrates with EuroSITES in respect to infrastructure (water column observatory) and hardware, data flow (data centre at NERC-NOCS, data handling, standardization) and a share of expertise. Through EuroSITES a link will be provided to the Coriolis data centre (see Figure 11). Data exchange will takes place in “standard” formats preferentially Oceansites NetCDF Format (www.oceansites.org). Through Coriolis the real time data will be fed into the GTS and is e.g. available for integration into assimilation algorithms of operational oceanography systems (e.g. FP7 MyOcean). For regional operational purposes the data will be provided to the Iberia Biscay Ireland Regional Operational Oceanography (IBI-ROOS). Here a link takes place with EuroGOOS and hence with GOOS and GCOS. IBI-ROOS lists a number scientific and societal benefits.In addition we will mention here the importance that MODOO may have in respect to non-cabled real-time data access of geodynamical data. Also no official cooperation between MODOO and the “North-East Atlantic, the Mediterranean and Connected Seas Tsunami Warning and Mitigation System” (NEAMTWS) is envisaged the concept of MODOO to obtain seismicity and ocean bottom pressure measurements can be considered as baseline data for such a system component in the Porcupine area. Finally the deep sea marine life observations through passive sonar and photography is expected to contribute to CeDAMar (Census of the Diversity of Abyssal Marine Life).

e) External fundingTwo approved cruise in relation to MODOO will to take place, one for the DCD node test in the Baltic Sea, one for the deployment of the system in conjunction with EuroSITES. Both cruises are funded on national level. National funding covers the cost for many staff members involved in the MODOO work. A number of details about external funding are listed in Section 4 under the points synergy and cost effectiveness.

Section 3: Scientific and Technological excellence

a) Contribution at the expected impact of the ESONET NoE (relevance of the expected scientific and technological advancements)One of the major objectives in ESONET NoE is to enhance our understanding of complex, multidisciplinary processes that take place on various timescales in the deep ocean environment. The MODOO proposal is a first step towards an integrated ocean observatory in the Porcupine region, incorporating studies of the ocean interior, seafloor and subseafloor.

Scientific advancements Scientific core missionMuch of the transport of mass and energy from the upper ocean to the sea-floor is controlled via the sinking of particles. Thus it is important to understand the functioning of this export. In

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particular the time scales of sinking and the origin and pathways of the particles is of interest as these factors are crucial to determine the impact of rapidly changing climate on a specific deep-sea ecosystem. The major source of the particles is the photosynthetic production of phytoplankton in the euphotic zone. The material which finally sinks can either be direct phytoplankton biomass or a conversion of it into certain aggregates. To investigate whether a region shows a strong vertical coupling between the surface ocean and the sea-floor or whether it is dominated by lateral fluxes, the variables for controlling the particle export have to be analysed: the characterisation of the particles themselves, particle composition, form and the ability of the environment to re-suspend the particles, the role of ocean transport, and finally the local stratification of the water column. In regions with low stratification and deep mixing, as the Arctic and Antarctic, a very close coupling between surface and deep ocean have been found. It is this coupling and its variability which is the major scientific objective of this proposal.

Figure 1: The ESONET Porcupine Abyssal Plain node and the MODOO deployment location (similar to EuroSITES PAP

mooring location).

The Porcupine Abyssal Plain (PAP) time-series station off southwest Ireland (Figure 1) is the longest running, multidisciplinary marine time-series in Europe. Since 1989, regular measurements of a variety of physical and biogeochemical parameters have been undertaken at PAP (see http://www.noc.soton.ac.uk/pap/pubs.php for a rather complete list on publications). Of particular interest in this proposal is the seasonal to interannual variability of downward particle flux that has been documented for the PAP site. The variability has been attributed to changes in surface productivity (Figure 2, left), but longer time series of particle fluxes (Figure 2, right) also show a pronounced interannual variability which can be related to climate modes as the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO).In most parts of the ocean outside the boundary current regions the strongest water currents and the strongest vertical stratification can be found in the upper ocean. For the sinking particles this is where most of the horizontal drift, away from the vertical and towards a lateral transport, is expected. As stronger the lateral fluxes as less-local/more-widespread is the sinking of particles. The PAP region is characterized by very deep winter mixed layers of 600 to 700m thickness. The vertical motion associated with the deepening of the mixed layer provides an 'express way' for particles to escape the normally well stratified surface ocean. Particles can quickly pass through much of the so called 'twilight zone', the depths between the euphotic zone and 1000 meters. The twilight zone is crucial for the efficiency of particle export as rapid biological consumption and re-mineralization reduce the efficiency of sequestration.

Figure 2: (left) Time series (7/2003 to 6/ 2005) of mixed layer Chl-a concentration (green line) and particle flux from trap data (black bar) at PAP site (Körtzinger et al. 2008). (right) Inter-annual variability of particle flux at the PAP site from 1990 to

2005.

Combining the PAP observatory with a benthic lander, MODOO is the ideal tool to monitor the critical variables that influence the vertical flux of particles. Our observation strategy comprises a combination of critical physical and biogeochemical variables: Optical instruments located in the euphotic zone and near the sea-floor will provide time series of backscatter intensity at a single point, representing ‘only’ a small volume sample. The backscatter information from four

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beams of an Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler (ADCP) will be used to obtain backscatter density of a much larger volume (in the order of 8 meters vertical thickness) but also over a much larger distance (up to 500m). In addition to the vertical information, the ADCP backscatter data will be used to investigate the horizontal homogeneity of the backscatter signal by comparing the time series of the four individual beams. This will allow to elaborate the near station 'patchiness' of the observations. One ADCP will be mounted at about 150m depth on the mooring in a downward looking mode. This instrument will provide information from most of the 'twilight zone'. A second, high frequency ADCP will be mounted on the lander for a detailed survey of near bottom processes. Here we are particularly interested in observing possible re-suspension of material e.g. through the influence of tidal currents, which are expected to be the most significant motions at this location.In addition to backscatter information, the water currents and thus the horizontal transport will be obtained from the ADCP data. They will provide information about the relative importance of lateral transport processes and facilitate conclusions on how “local” and small scaled the observations are. ADCPs allow us to monitor most of the twilight zone and of the bottom boundary. To get full water depth information single point rotor current meters (RCM) placed at specific water depths will record the respective current regime. Another important physical process that controls the particle sinking is the vertical stability of the water column. Stability will be recorded with a number of MicroCat CTD's mounted on the mooring and concentrated in the upper 1000m. Another CTD will be mounted on the lander. A number of biogeochemical parameters will be available from the PAP EuroSITES configuration: Chlorophyll-a time series near the surface in the euphotic zone will give an estimate of phytoplankton biomass production. Oxygen, nutrients (Nitrate+Nitrite) and pCO2 are accompanied observations which will allow to differentiate near-surface local (biogeochemcial) and remote (physical) forced changes on the phytoplankton production. Planned in-situ measurements of oxygen consumption (as part of the EuroSITES science program) may provide local respiration and from this also re-mineralization efficiency to be estimated. All the above listed sensor data will be oriented along a common time line which will allows to view and analyse the data in a comprehensive way. Fundamental to the integration of the datasets are the DCD nodes, one on the mooring and one on the lander. DCD nodes store data on a local disc and provide an accurate time stamp through a very precise internal clock. If required, we will also make use of additional third party data, as remotely sensed Chlorophyll-a, sea surface temperature data or atmospheric data. Argo float profile data will be used to bring the moorings upper ocean (2000m) T/S data into a wider spatial context.

Guest scientific missionDeep Sea Marine life (SArea4 – Marine Ecology)Life in the deep sea almost entirely depends on the fall out of organic matter from the surface layers. Consequently, the abundance, biomass and composition of deep sea marine life is suspected to be closely linked to the patterns of surface productivity and its link with the deep sea (see scientific core mission). In the PAP region strongest surface deposition of phytoplankton has been observed in early spring (April/May) and late summer (September). From discrete sampling of the deep sea environment at PAP sudden changes in deep sea marine life species have been observed. During the period 1997 to 2000 a sudden infestation of the Northeast Atlantic Ocean abyssal plain by sea cucumbers Amperima rosea (Figure 3) and brittle stars Ophiocten hastatum was detected.Figure 3: Holothurian (sea cucumber) Amperima rosea on the seafloor

at PAPThe changes in composition of the deep sea fauna have been attributed to changes in fluxes of organic matter to the deep sea influenced by the North Atlantic Oscillation. Although the Porcupine Abyssal Plain location is the best monitored deep sea abyssal location in Europe there is an urgent need to establish continuous monitoring at this location to record changes over time in the oceans around Europe. Within MODOO we will monitor the deep sea marine life by collection of sea floor photography and the recording of deep sea sound. Low resolution copies of the photographic images will be accessible on daily basis in quasi real-time via the acoustic underwater and surface telemetry.

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There will be a technological demonstration on the remote control of the imaging system via the acoustic telemetry link (see technological advancements). A passive bioacoustic sensor will monitor the natural sounds generated by animals within its detection range, as well as the background noise level. Data from the passive bioacoustic sensor and other instruments on the Lander will allow us to investigate animal reaction to noise disturbances, and the natural acoustic behavior of deep ocean animals.

Geohazards (SArea1 – Geosciences)As part of the MODOO deployment geodynamical sensors (ocean bottom pressure and seismometer) will be deployed with the lander. The device is a Longterm OBS for Tsunami and

Earthquake Research (LOBSTER). Seismicity data from the region is sparse and the experiment will provide a baseline data set for further studies. The instrument will be tested as part of the telemetry system although not sending data in real-time but in case of an event. Here we will 'simulate' the event by accessing the LOBSTER in predefined intervals.

Figure 4: Ocean Bottom Seismometer (OBS) with 3 axis seismometer and hydrophone (1&2 locator (flashlight, signal flag), 3 acoustic releaser, 4 syntactic foam, 5 data recorder, 6 batteries, 7 weight)

Expected Technological advancementsThe preliminary design for CeltNet involved a series of nodes linked via sea-floor cables (Figure 5). However, for financial and technical reasons it may be more appropriate for nodes in deeper waters to operate as standalone nodes with communication links and near real-time data transfer. Other ESONET sites, like MoMAR and the Arctic may also require standalone and re-locatable solutions, e.g. to monitor the effects of receding ice. Data telemetry for non-cabled systems is therefore an important topic for the design of the ESONET NoE observatory network. MODOO will demonstrate the functioning of a re-locatable system with underwater acoustic telemetry as well as surface buoy telemetry of scientific and engineering data.

Figure 5: Cabled observatory CeltNet (planned) and location of the PAP/MODOO deployment site

InfrastructureThe MODOO

MODOO consists of two observatory components (Figure 6): a steel/plastic wire mooring and a benthic lander. The mooring is equipped with a bi-directional telemetry buoy which connects via the mooring wire to inductively linked instruments. One of this “instruments” is a so called “Data Collection and Dissemination” (DCD) node. This node acoustically links the lander data with the surface buoy via the mooring wire. The lander also has a DCD node where lander instruments are connected to. The central components: DCD nodes, mooring, telemetry buoy, and lander will be described now.

Figure 6: Schematic of MODOO communication components, steel wire mooring (left) with inductive coupled sensors; Lander (right) with directly connected sensors. There is an acoustic communication between the two “Data Collection and Dissemination” (DCD) nodes

Data Collection and Dissemination (DCD) nodeThe central hardware which links the observatories components

into one system is constructed around acoustic telemetry modems. These devices, the “Data

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Collection and Dissemination” (DCD) nodes will not 'only' be used for the communication between them, they will also control sensors, store data, apply a precise time stamp to all data, compress/uncompress data for efficient transmission, and check the quality of transmitted data. Given the central importance of this device for the project we decided to use a fully commercial product. First market investigations indicated that some companies have devices available that fit our requirements.The MODOO partners have formulated a list of basic requirements on functionality and endurance of the DCD nodes:

• Endurance: up to 16 month deployment • Housing either glass sphere or cylinder (6000m rated), housing hosts also required

energy source• Acoustic transducer implemented, directivity 35°/-3dB• Mooring DCD node shall have an inductive modem coupler to link the DCD node to the

mooring wire• Mooring DCD node communicates (bi-directional) with surface telemetry buoy via

mooring wire • Mooring DCD node communicates (bi-directional) with Lander DCD node• Mooring DCD node shall send data along mooring wire by request from surface buoy

(once a day)• Lander DCD node takes up to 6 external devices via connectors (SEACON AW)• Lander DCD node ports are programmable, RS 232 and RS 485 interfaces• Lander DCD node established communication for data transfer with mooring DCD node• Lander DCD node logs and saves data from connected devices (with an appropriate

time stamp)• Lander DCD node control connected instruments (event control) via mooring DCD node/

surface telemetry link

The PAP mooringhe MODOO DM will make use of an existing mooring which is located at the PAP site as parts of the EuroSITES project. At the PAP site there two sort of deep sea moorings deployed: deep water sediment trap moorings, and since 2002 a full water depth mooring multidisciplinary mooring with surface telemetry. MODOO will connect to the latter (see figure 7) using an inductive coupled DCD node. The PAP mooring has a total length of about 6200m while the deep sea part is mainly Polyester/Polystell robe, the upper 1300m are made of Norselay® steel wire.

Figure 7: Drawing of the EuroSITES full water depth PAP mooring with surface telemetry buoy as it will be deployed in summer 2009. The MODOO

DCD node will be added to this PAP mooring and is connected via an inductive link. For clarity the mooring line is drawn in three pieces (points A & B are

connected) Surface telemetry systemThe data logging and telemetry system (Figure 8) on the PAP mooring was originally developed at NERC-NOCS for the RAPID program but has also been used for the PAP mooring (first time in 2007). The system is based around a Persistor CF2 computer board linked to an Iridium

9522 modem, a Seabird inductive modem, a GPS receiver, a compass/pitch/roll unit and internal voltage/current/temperature monitors. The buoy contains a solar charging controller and high-intensity LED recovery lamps that can be switched on remotely. The computer’s clock is regularly compared to the GPS clock and is adjusted to stay within +/- 1 second accuracy. All data received from inductively coupled sensors (in MODOO one will be a DCD node) is time stamped with this clock, as are all the other data logged in the system.

Figure 8: Surface telemetry buoy with Iridium 9522A, Seabird SIM, Trimble Lassen GPS, pitch/roll/compass, solar panels for battery recharge.

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The Iridium modem is programmed to send regular position and engineering data reports via SBD email messages, while scientific data is transferred using the dial-up mechanism. Commands can be sent to the unit via email messages according to a predefined command set for sensor control from shore (event tripper). The system has successfully communicated with MicroCAT sensors at depths of up to 4960m.

The Benthic Boundary lander (BoBo)The BoBo lander (Figure 9) was developed as stand-alone long-term monitoring system (van Weering et al., 2000) that in its MODOO configuration will carry a Seabird 16 CT probe (3m above the bottom) with one Seapoint optical backscatter sensors (1m above the bottom) and a new combined OBS-Fluorometer sensor (Wetlabs; 2m above the bottom) connected to it. A 1200kHz downward looking ADCP is fixed in the frame 2m above the sediment surface to measure bottom currents in high resolution (5cm vertical bin size). At the same time the backscatter values of the four acoustic beams give additional 3D information about the amount of re-suspended material when correlated with the OBS sensors. In addition a Technicap PPS

4/3 sediment trap with a rotating carousel of 12 bottles (250 ml) is mounted in the frame with the aperture (0.05m2), 4 m above the bottom. A pan/tilt camera and three lights can be mounted in the frame at 2 m above the seabed. The camera can be programmed to record video images in six different settings and/or positions (these images are only accessible after retrieval). A power-unit supplies both, CT and ADCP with power and combines the RS232 connections of both sensors in one underwater plug to establish the link to the DCD node. The lander itself is a steel construction with three legs, flotation and two releasers needed for later retrieval (compare Figure 9). The two guest sensor packages for Deep Sea Marine Life ad Geohazard will be fixed to the frame at the best suitable position.

Figure 9: BoBo lander after deployment

The BoBo lander will be deployed either as free fall lander (released at the sea surface) or, to get a defined and more accurate positioning, it will be lowered on a wire and dropped approx. 50m above the bottom by using a acoustic releaser. Retrieval of the lander works by releasing weights via one of the two acoustic releasers. Due to the incorporate flotation the lander will surface and can be picked up by the ship. If needed, deployment and retrieval can be done more than once during the project. The system was already repeatedly used for long-term monitoring of up to 1 year.

System geometryThe Lander will be placed in 5500m deep wate and in a maximal horizontal distance of approximately 3000m from the mooring anchor to ensure save ship operations. We will mount the mooring DCD node at a depth where ambient noise can be expected to be low (away form the surface) but which still guarantees good acoustic transmission. The sound speed profiles (Figure 10) indicate a deep SOFAR channel at around 1500m but with seasonal movement by some hundred meters. Using the sound speed profiles and performing a simple ray trace analysis of the sound paths (based on a 30° transducer opening) indicates that for this geometry some directional orientation might be required (Figure 10).

Figure 10: (left) Sound speed profiles PAP site. (right) Ray traces for instruments at 1000m (upper) and at 4900m depth (lower) as for DCD nodes. Colour indicates sound speed variability

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Data retrieval from moving platformIn respect to applying the MODOO concept to situations were no surface telemetry system is available an alternative download solution should be envisioned. In this first MODOO application we will therefor demonstrate data download from the DCD nodes from moving platforms: from a ship as well as using an Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV). The ship based download will be tested during the Baltic Sea cruise (Sept. 2009). For the AUV based download we intent to install an underwater acoustic device similar to those developed in the MODOO project into an Bluefin Robotics AUV, owned and operated at AWI. During a show case cruise in spring 2010 into either the Baltic or the North Sea we intent to demonstrate data download. These AUV test are relevant to later envisioned “under ice” data retrieval in relation to the long-term measurements and monitoring at HAUSGARTEN observatory (not part of MODOO).

Data management and public outreachThe MODOO project will provide an opportunity to extend the range of the data management already being undertaken under the auspices of EuroSITES and link it more closely to ESONET NoE principles. The standard water column measurements of temperature, salinity, current speed and direction, nitrate, fluorescence, oxygen will be received in near-real time, and will be augmented by measurements from the instruments on the lander which will provide a further suite of data providing currents, oxygen, temperature, bottom pressure, and low resolution images. The bandwidth of the acoustic link will determine how frequently these different data sets can be sent, but the data management system will be a demonstration of the use of methods which will be extensible to other sensors and data types, and also may be applicable to a cabled observatory.Data managed systematically, using available standards, will be both archived securely with relevant metadata and be accessible for further processing to make it available to developing semantic web technologies. EuroSITES will test the use of these technologies and MODOO will benefit from the experience. The extended range of data and metadata will be processed to provide a showcase for these emerging display media.The data management has two distinct acquisition streams: real-time data and delayed mode data. The real-time data will be delivered via the Iridium satellite system in dial-up mode. This technique is preferred to SBD (short burst data) mode as it is less costly. Technically, a dedicated Sun servers at NOCS receive the incoming phone calls from the Iridium modems. A NOCS developed protocol transfers binary data in 2kB blocks with the first few bytes of each message identifying its origin. The message is passed to a C-code program which decodes it and creates a number of ASCII files. The converted files are automatically copied to a network drive from where they are securable and accessible for further processing. The real-time data will be quality controlled before it is displayed on the observatory web sites and made publicly available for FTP retrieval.

Figure 11: Schematic of data exchange. The central part of the data collection, storage and dissemination is the

EuroSITES data centre at NERC-NOCS.

Data in OceanSITES format will be available from the Coriolis data centre, Brest, France. The Coriolis data centre in turn converts the data to be accessible via the GTS network. The delayed mode data only become available after mooring recovery (in June 2011) which is planned after the end of the MODOO demo mission. The downloaded data will be processed within the context of quality control and standardization first addressed in FP5 and FP6 projects ANIMATE and MERSEA. The processing of the MODOO data will demonstrate the process of convergence of data output requirements between projects such as EuroSITES and ESONET NoE WP2. The data set will be used to explore the potential for interoperability opportunities, combining as it will both water column and sea-floor data.To allow for interoperable data from the mooring and the lander, similar calibration techniques

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will be applied to the sensors. Concepts already developed in previous projects (ANIMATE, MERSEA) will be reapplied. This will contribute to the ESONET NoE WP2. e.g. the calibration of sensors which measure the same variables, from different companies, to one standard.PAP is a EuroSITES observatory so all the data collected within MODOO will be made accessible through www.eurosites.info. The observatory based pages will also provide a platform for full description. The data may also be distributed via the outreach area which has been developed within EuroSITES and ESONET (through the ESONEWS newsletter). Results and dissemination material will be made available to all ESONET partners enabling wide visibility and awareness of the MODOO precepts of demonstrating collaboration, effective use of resources and furthering observatory potential among institutes and projects.

b) Detailed work plan The work plan is divided into three phases: (i) a preparation phase, (ii) an implementation phase and (iii) an assessment phase. For logistical reasons some work plans are coordinated with the Exchange of personal proposal to ESONET NoE indicated by: (in collaboration with MODOO connect). MODOO will end after 22 month which shall be the end of (estimated October 2010). However, the system shall be still in the water at that time. The further processing and interpretation of high resolution delayed mode data is also a part of MODOO and one step to ensure sustainability of the project. There are 5 Milestones identified for this project: During the preparation phase milestones are related to purchase and test of DCD nodes, as this is critical to connect the system components. During the implementation phase milestones are the deployment, the reception of real-time data as well as the use of bi-directional telemetry for sensor control – all related to successful data retrieval. During the Assessment phase we will produce reports on the performance of the system and its components. For the handling of the DCD nodes we have applied for training as part of the ESONET NoE Exchange of Personal program under the key word: “MODOO connect”. MODOO will have intellectual benefit from MODOO connect as this will allow to transfer knowledge in an efficient way between partners.

month/Date Milestones

Month 1 Mar. 2009

Start of project

Preparation phase

Month 1Mar. 2009

Review specification of DCD nodes

Month 1Mar. 2009

Order and Purchase of DCD nodes WP 3, M 1DCD node purchase

Month 3-6May 2009

Lab test of DCD nodes:test different sensors on lander DCD node (port, protocols), test functioning of inductive link of mooring DCD node: data retrieval, two way communication (in collaboration with MODOO connect)

Month 6Sept. 2009

Shallow water test of DCD nodes (RV ALKOR, Baltic Sea/Gotland)Test of communication between submerged and near-surface DCD nodes:data retrieval, two way communication

WP 3, M 2Sea test

Month 7Oct. 2009

Ship both tested DCD node to from IFM-GEOMAR to NOCS (mooring) for demonstration (in collaboration with MODOO connect) and lab tests

Month 8-10Nov. 2009

Test DCD nodes with NOCS surface telemetry buoy system:Inductive coupling of mooring DCD node, Communication with lander DCD node Bi-directional communication test including interrogation of sensor (e.g. camera control) (in collaboration with MODOO connect)

Month 8-10Nov. 2009

Preparation of BOBO lander: Adaptation of cables and connectors (if required) Prepare to host partner sensors

Month 12 Feb. 2010

Ship the tested lander DCD node from NOCS to NIOZ for integration into lander (in collaboration with MODOO connect)

Implementation phase

Month 13-14Mar. 2010

Complete assembly of lander system at NIOZ

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Month 13Mar. 2010

Ship the assembled lander system from NIOZ to NERC-NOCS

Month 13-15Mar. 2010

Lab test of systems at NERC-NOCS, DCD nodes with NERC-NOCS surface telemetry buoy system: Inductive coupling of mooring DCD nodeCommunication with lander DCD node

Month 13-15Mar. 2010

Preparation real-time data system to handle reception of MODOO real-time data according to standards (e.g. definition of valid ranges)

Month 16Jun. 2010

MODOO deployment cruise (shared with EuroSITES; RV DISCOVERY)

Month 16Jun. 2010

MODOO system in operational mode WP 1 to 4M 3 Operation

Month 16June 2010

Receive and preliminary processing of real time data:Quality control of real time data (based on international standard if available), QC Real time data is made public available (Coriolis data centre via EuroSITES)

WP 4M 4Access data

Month 16-20June 2010

Control of selected sensors via satellite/acoustic underwater telemetry system (demonstrate event triggered control)

WP 4, M 5 Event control

Assessment phase

Month 16-21June 2010

Analysis of reliability of hardware components based on real-time engineering data

Month 16-21June 2010

Preliminary analysis of real time data during expected late summer bloom event (scientific core program)

Month 21Oct. 2010

Report to ESONET NoE

Month 22Nov. 2010

End of ESONET NoE WP 4 demonstration mission MODOO

June 2011 Recovery of system cruise (shared with EuroSITES)

Section 4: Quality and efficiency of the implementation and management

a) Management (structure and procedures).The project will be coordinated by a council composed of one representative from each partner. Where applicable, the representative will be the work package leader, otherwise a representative shall be selected by the partner. Communication amongst the partners will be ensured via a number of pathways and depending on the importance of the topic: email, telephone or video conferences, as well as small group meetings if required. If possible, meetings of the whole project will be organized around ESONET NoE assemblies. There will be a dedicated project web page (with direct link to the ESONET NoE web page).The work package leaders are responsible for directing the work towards the declared milestones and deliverables as set out in the proposal. The WP leaders will also form the natural link with the respective ESONET NoE work packages. The management will be organized in a dedicated work package WP5 coordinated by J. Karstensen (IFM-GEOMAR).

WP no. WP title WP leaderWP1 Lander component Jens GreinertWP2 Mooring component Richard LampittWP3 Scientific and technological integration Fiona Grant, Johannes KarstensenWP4 Data management and outreach Maureen PagnaniWP5 Management Johannes Karstensen

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b) Quality of the Consortium with respect to the declared goalsThe consortium is composed of academic research institutions with a long standing scientific expertise in physical, biological, chemical oceanography and geodynamics. The highest level of expertise in the design and operation of moored and lander based observatories are represented in the consortium. All institutions, as well as the individuals below, have demonstrated expertise in participating in similar projects over several years. The partners have demonstrated their ability to work towards the declared goals (scientific analysis as well as realization of technological advancements) in a structured and timely fashion.

Partner No

Acronyms Full name Contact e-mail Country

1 IFM-GEOMAR

Leibniz Institute for Marine Sciences

Johannes Karstensen

jkarstensen@ifm-geomar.de Germany

2 NOCS National Oceanographic Centre Southampton

Richard Lampitt

rsl@noc.soton.ac.uk United Kingdom

3 MI Irish Marine Institute Fiona Grant

fiona.grant@marine.ie Ireland

4 NIOZ Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research

Jens Greinert

greinert@nioz.nl Netherlands

5 UNIABDN University of Aberdeen Monty Priede

i.g.priede@abdn.ac.uk United Kingdom

6 AWI Alfred Wegener Institute Michael Klages

Michael.Klages@awi.de Germany

Partner no. 1 IFM-GEOMAR, Germany, J. Karstensen, O. Pfannkuche, A. PinckThe Leibniz Institute of Marine Sciences at the University of Kiel (IFM-GEOMAR) was founded in January 2004 through the merger of the Institut für Meereskunde (IfM) and the Research Center for Marine Geosciences (GEOMAR). The institute is a member of the Leibniz-foundation and employs approximately 400 scientific and technical staff. The institutes’ mandate is the interdisciplinary investigation of all relevant aspects of modern marine sciences, from sea floor geology to marine meteorology. Research is conducted worldwide in all oceans. The institute has four major research divisions: ocean circulation and climate dynamics, marine biogeochemistry, marine ecology and the dynamics of the ocean floor. The institute operates four research vessels, several major laboratories and an attractive aquarium. IFM-GEOMAR cooperates with a number of small companies active in marine technology and science, partly founded by former staff members of the institute. J. Karstensen holds a PhD in Physical Oceanography; Senior Scientist in the research division 'Ocean circulation and Climate Dynamics. Special interests: large scale circulation with emphasis on the interaction between physical processes and biogeochemical cycle. Involved in development and application of new technologies for physical oceanography studies - moored applications as well as remotely operated vehicles (gliders). A. Pinck is an Engineer (telecommunications engineer) at research unit ‘Physical Oceanography’ (IFM-GEOMAR). Proposal relevant expertise: Mooring and glider technology, autonomous data logger and inductive connection of instruments for surface telemetry applications, mooring components.

Partner no. 2 NERC-NOCS R. Lampitt, K. Larkin, J. Campbell, M Pagnani J Hughes, B. BoormanNOCS is one of Europe’s leading centres for oceanographic science. A joint venture between the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) and Southampton University with 450 staff and 480 students. With a turnover of about 50 million Euros per annum NERC-NOCS boasts a wide range of activities from teaching, research, engineering, outreach and operation of NERC's fleet of research ships. NERC-NOCS is a partner institute within the ESONET Network of Excellence and coordinates EuroSITES, a 3 year FP7 Collaborative Project to integrate the deep ocean observational capacity in Europe. NERC-NOCS will bring expertise in mooring and telemetry engineering and technology together with scientific and logistical expertise in fixed-point ocean observatories. NERC-NOCS will also facilitate the link between ESONET and relevant ocean observation projects across Europe including EuroSITES and the international context including the contribution to the Group on Earth Observation (GEO). Dr. Richard Lampitt has 28 years of experience as a marine scientist with particular interest in the downward flux of material and factors that affect this flux. He is a senior scientist within the

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Department of Ocean Biogeochemistry and Ecosystems with extensive experience of EU funded projects. Richard is currently a scientific steering committee member within ESONET and coordinates the EuroSITES project. Dr. Kate Larkin holds a PhD in Marine biogeochemistry and is a scientist within the research group Ocean Biogeochemistry and Ecosystems with expertise in EU projects and deep ocean Eulerian observatories. J. Campbell has an MSc in systems engineering and has been designing, building and operating oceanographic instrumentation since 1980. Initially specializing in sonar systems, he has also developed optical instruments and more recently a range of data logging and telemetry systems applicable to deep ocean moorings. These have been used by the EU Ferrybox program and the RAPID mooring array. He leads a team within the Underwater Systems Laboratory at NERC-NOCS. M. Pagnani joined the ANIMATE project as Data Manager in 2002 working in the Information Technology Group of NERC-NOCS, and brought wide ranging experience from previously working in statistical analysis in both Edinburgh University and in the commercial environment, and from creating and maintaining operational systems for the container shipping business. She implemented the use of the OceanSITES format as the distribution medium for ANIMATE and developed the real-time quality control procedures and manual now used in MERSEA. Maureen now leads the data management for EuroSITES, conducting the quality control and data processing for time-series data from deep ocean observatories.

Partner no. 3 MI, Ireland, F. Grant, S. Fennell, G. NolanThe Marine Institute is the national agency responsible for Marine Research, Technology Devel-opment and Innovation (RTDI). Its role is to assess and realise the economic potential of Ire-land’s 220 million acre marine resource; promote the sustainable development of marine in-dustry through strategic funding programmes and essential scientific services; and safeguard the marine environment through research and environmental monitoring. The Marine Institute has significant involvement in operational oceanography and marine observations and has de-ployed marine observation infrastructure in Irish seas including data-buoys and environmental monitoring equipment. The Institute operates the national RVs, a new ROV and has recently initiated a catalytic national innovation project, SmartBay, which is an inter-disciplinary and inter-agency project designed to test and demonstrate new marine technologies and to link and demonstrate the emergence and availability of new technologies with a wide range of monitoring and management applications. The IMI was responsible for the national Seabed Survey of Ireland and also is responsible for its successor (INFOMAR) targeted at shallower waters. IMI is involved in many current EC projects (e.g., ESONET NoE, EMSO, ECOOP and MarinERA). The IMI coordinated the ESONIM project and are also WP leaders for Implementa-tion Strategies in ESONET NoE.

Partner no. 4 NIOZ, The Netherlands, J. Greinert, H. De Stitger, B. KosterThe Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research (NIOZ) is the oldest sea going research institute in the Netherlands founded in 1876. It is responsible for the national equipment pool (moorings, sediment traps, coring equipment) and holds large scale infrastructure as the Netherlands research vessels RV PELAGIA and RV NAVICULA and maintains the equipment pool for geochemical analyses and XRF-core scanners that are used by other research centers and universities in the country. With close to 220 people working in 5 departments (Physical Oceanography, Marine Geology, Marine Organic Biogeochemistry, Marine Ecology, Biological Oceanography), NIOZ is the largest institute for sea research with a strong technological department specialized in prototype developments but also commercialization of developed tools and techniques. The mission of NIOZ is to gain and communicate scientific knowledge on seas and oceans for the understanding and sustainability of the planet, and to facilitate and support marine research and education in the Netherlands and Europe. The Marine Geological department involved in MODOO has two decades of experience in lander technology and its application and is/was involved in many EU, ESF and NOW funded projects as HERMES/HERMIONE, GeoMound, MoundForce and the recent Microsystems. Dr. Jens Greinert holds a PhD in Marine Geology and is a Senior Scientist at NIOZ in the Marine Geology Department. Other appointments: IFM-GEOMAR until 2005, New Zealand and Belgium (Gent) during three years Marie Curie Fellowship. Special interests related to this proposal: long term observations of bubble release at cold seep sites using hydro-acoustic methods for bubble

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detection which are placed at the seafloor via lander technology. JG has a broad knowledge of using and combining different monitoring tools as CTDs, ADCPs in lander technology and is particularly interested in hydro-acoustic. JG will be the lead scientist of the lander work package in the MODOO proposal (2nd call of demonstration missions in ESONET NoE). Bob Koster is an Electronic engineer with 17 years of experience in developing, building and operating marine scientific equipment. His expertise in benthic landers (BOBO), seismic equipment, online under-water imaging systems and the Avaatech XRF Core Scanner (NIOZ development). The latter being an X-ray fluorescence, non-destructive device for sediment core analysis at sea and onshore labs. The BOBO landers are autonomous, pre-programmed devices for near-seabed sediment transport dynamics studies. Bob Koster is continuously involved in the development of new and the improvement of existing equipment.

Partner no. 5 UNIABDN, United Kingdom, I.G. Priede, P. Bagley, A. Jamieson, A. HolfordAberdeen is an International university built on serving one of the most dynamic regions in Europe with a major activity in offshore and sub sea technology. Oceanlab, opened in September 2001, is a unique facility designed for development, testing and servicing of deep ocean autonomous vehicles and other instrumentation. The Oceanlab team has been responsible for over 500 deployments of autonomous platforms at depths ranging from 500m to 10,000m in the Atlantic, Indian and Pacific Oceans and in the Mediterranean Sea. They have pioneered the tracking of deep sea fish using ingestible code activated transponders from an autonomous hydrophone array operating at depths of 6000m. Current research activities include the use of novel hydrophone technology to investigate the acoustic communication of deep sea fish. Oceanlab also provides deep sea test facilities which are used regularly by the oil & gas industry.

Partner no. 6: AWI, Germany, M. Klages, U. Hoge, S. LehmenheckerThe Alfred Wegener Institute for Polar and Marine Research (AWI) was established in 1980 as a public-law foundation. The institute is one of the sixteen national research centres of the Helmholtz Foundation in Germany. All major disciplines of the earth and life sciences are represented thus interdisciplinary research approaches are a main element in its research strategy. The AWI Foundation for Polar and Marine Research comprises the following research establishments: the Alfred Wegener Institute for Polar and Marine Research in Bremerhaven, the AWI Research Unit in Potsdam, the Helgoland Biological Institute (BAH), the Marine Research Station on Helgoland and the Wadden Sea Station in List/Sylt. In 2008, the Foundation has 850 employees including a large number of graduate students. The research mission of the AWI is to improve understanding of the complex relations between the oceans, ice, atmosphere, the sea floor and the biosphere. AWI promotes polar and marine research through its own research work in the Arctic, Antarctic and at temperate latitudes. AWI coordinates polar research in Germany and provides the equipment and logistics necessary for polar expeditions as well as deep sea research. AWI comprises major infrastructure for marine sciences in Germany. The AWI has been a partner in many EU projects and supports actively European research as a key research institution for polar and marine sciences as well as for scientific data base management. As data center, PANGAEA - The Network for Geological and Environmental Data - was initiated in 1993. Michael Klages is a marine biologist with experience in field and laboratory investigations on benthos organisms of both polar regions since 1987. His main research interests focus on biodiversity of benthic ecosystems and crustacean ecology. Among his participation in about 17 expeditions into either the Antarctic or Arctic he was chief scientist onboard the French RV "L'Atalante" in 2001 and 2005 and onboard RV "Polarstern" in 2003 and 2007. During three of these expeditions the French ROV "Victor 6000" was used, in 2007 it was the “QUEST” of MARUM at University of Bremen. The results of his investigations are published in more than 50 peer-reviewed journals or books. He is head of an interdisciplinary research group working on Arctic deep-sea biodiversity. The group is responsible for the operation of several free falling landers and a 3000 m depth rated Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV). U. Hoge (development engineer) in the research unit Climate Sciences new Technologies. Underwater Vehicles and Deep-sea Technology (Responsibilities: Mooring technology, ROV and AUV, payload development). S. Lehmenhecker is Informatics Engineer of the Deep-Sea Research

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Group at AWI. He gained a professional training in electronics at the Wasser- und Schifffahrtsamt Bremerhaven and in applied computer science at AWI. Proposal relevant expertise: AUV technology, under water telemetry, mooring and lander technology.

c) Technical feasibility.As already outlined, the MODOO components are mainly based on standard instrumentation and hardware solutions. As such the feasibility of the proposed work is ensured, especially taking the technical expertise and experience of the respective institutes (IFM-GEOMAR, NIOZ and NERC-NOCS) into account. For the DCD nodes a pre-survey of the market was very encouraging. A German company (Develogic) offers acoustic under water modems available which closely fit our requirements (as defined above). Slight modifications of the acoustic telemetry system are required as well as the integration of an inductive coupler for data transfer via the steel wire of the mooring to the satellite telemetry system. Additional instrumentation being deployed are well are well proven.MODOO relies on three cruises, two during the demo mission phase, and one after ESONET NoE for recovery of the system. The first cruise will be in September 2009 to the Baltic (Gotland Basin with RV ALKOR, Chief scientist O. Pfannkuche) were the DCD nodes will be wet tested. This cruise is approved. The second cruise is in June 2010 and will be the deployment cruise of the MODOO lander and the MODOO/PAP mooring. This cruise is shared with EuroSITES and application is done. The third cruise is planned for summer 2011 – again this cruise is shared with EuroSITES. Cruise applications shall be written soon (NOCS). There is a 'back-up' option for an additional cruise through the MI making use of the RV Celtic Explorer.

Preliminary list of instruments directly connected to the lander DCD node:Instrument Model Retrieval

ModeData type (ascii/binary)

File size two-way comm.

Comments

CT (ConductivityTemperature)

e.g. SBE 19 autonomous Hex-ASCII or ASCII or XML

1Kbyteevery day

yes two-way RS 232 communication

Turbidity and fluorecesne

Wetlabs Autonomous ASCII 1Kbyteevery day

no Wired link to CT and power unite

ADCPcurrents/backscatter

Teledyne RDI workhorse 1200kHz

autonomous (via CTD)

binary or Hex-ASCII

1.5Kbyte per ensemble

yes Wired link to power unite

Still camera e.g. Imenco SDS1210

request binary (JPG)ASCII (commands)

40Kbyte every day

yes Camera control over RS232 port

Oxygen logger Aanderaa Optode

autonomous ASCII 0.1Kbyteevery 4h

no RS-232

T/C recorder SBE37 IM request or autonomous

ASCIII 0.1Kbyteevery 4h

no RS-232

Appr. file size 100 kByte

d) Cost effectivenessThe project relies mostly on use of existing equipment and infrastructure that has been acquired through other projects or national funding in the past. This includes the PAP mooring with surface telemetry buoy and the BOBO lander system. Given all the instrumentations is available and ship time comes from other projects or through national funding only 30% of the project costs are charged to this project.There will be two pieces of equipment procured as part of the project – however, the local rules at partner institutions allow only part of the equipment to the purchased from MODOO. The data collection and dissemination (DCD) nodes will be purchased by IFM-GEOMAR (with 55% contribution from EC expected). The DCD nodes are of central importance as they provide the “softlink” between the observatory components. A combined fluorescence/turbidity sensor for particle detection will be purchased by NIOZ (with a 20% contribution from EC expected). Both, the DCD nodes as well as the sensor are important components of the system and as such there is a benefit for the whole consortium from purchasing these equipment.

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ReferencesAsper, V. L., W. G. Deuser, G. A. Knauer and S. E. Lohrenz (1992) "Rapid coupling of sinking particle

fluxes between surface and deep ocean waters", Nature, 357, 670–672.Buesseler, K.O., C.H. Lamborg, P.W. Boyd, P.J. Lam, T.W. Trull, R.R. Bidigare, J.K.B. Bishop, K.L. Casciotti,

F. Dehairs, M. Elskens, M. Honda, D.M. Karl, D. Siegel, M.W. Silver, D.K. Steinberg, J. Valdes, B. Van Mooy and S. Wilson (2007). Revisiting Carbon Flux Through the Ocean's Twilight Zone. Science, 316: 567-570

Greinert, J. (2008): Monitoring temporal variability of bubble release at seeps: The hydroacoustic swath system GasQuant. Journal of Geophysical Research, 113, C07048, doi:10.1029/2007JC004704.

Hartman, S.E., K.E. Larkin, R.S. Lampitt, M. Lankhorst, D. J. Hydes, (2008), Seasonal and inter-annual biogeochemical variations at PAP (49°N, 16.5°W) 2003-2005 associated with winter mixing and surface circulation

Karstensen, J., U. Send, A. Pinck, M. Busack (2007), A small and lightweight telemetry buoy module for open ocean moorings, Geophysical Research Abstracts, Vol. 9, 07449.

Körtzinger, A., Send, U., Lampitt, R.S., Hartman, S., Wallace, D.W.R., Karstensen, J., Villagarcia, M.G., Llinas, O., DeGrandpre, M.D., (2008). The seasonal pCO2 cycle at 49°N/16.5°W in the northeastern Atlantic Ocean and what it tells us about biological productivity. Journal Of Geophysical Research, Vol. 113, C04020, doi: 10.1029/2007JC004347.

Lampitt, R. S. (1985) "Evidence for the seasonal deposition of detritus to the deep-sea floor and its subsequent resuspension", Deep-Sea Res., 32, 885–897.

Lampitt, R.S., W.R. Hillier, and P.G. Challenor (1993b) Seasonal and diel variation in the open ocean concentration of marine snow aggregates, Nature, 362, 737-739.

Lampitt, R.S., Bett, B.J., Kiriakoulis, K., Popova, E.E., Ragueneau, O., Vangriesheim, A., Wolff, G.A., (2001). Material supply to the abyssal seafloor in the Northeast Atlantic. Progress in Oceanography, 50, 27-63.

Richter, T.O., van der Gaast, S., Koster, B., Vaars, A., Gieles, R., de Stigter, H.C., de haas, H., van Weering, T.C.E., 2006. The Avaatech XRF Core Scanner: technical description and applications to NE Atlantic sediments. In: Rothwell, R.G. New techniques in sediment core analysis. Geol. Soc.: pp 39-50

Vangriesheim A., Springer B., and Crassous P., 2001.Temporal variability of near-bottom particle resuspension and dynamics at the Porcupine Abyssal Plain, Northeast Atlantic. Progress in Oceanography 50 (1-4): 123-145

van Weering, T. C. E., Koster, B., van Heerwaarden, J., Thomsen, L., & Viergutz, T., 2000. New technique for long term deep seabed studies. Sea Technology, 2: 17–25.

Yasuhara, M., T Cronin, P deMenocal, H Okahashi, B Linsley. (2008) From the Cover: Abrupt climate change and collapse of deep-sea ecosystems. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 105(5), 1556-1560. DOI: 10.1073/pnas.0705486105

Annex 1: Work description with identification of tasks.

The project is structured in 5 work packages to achieve the objectives (outline before)

Nr WP title WP leader Summary of Activities

WP1 Lander component

Jens Greinert

Set up of lander system, ensure successful implementation of instruments, deployment/recovery operations

WP2 Mooring component

Richard Lampitt

Implementation of acoustic modem in EuroSITES PAP mooring (Hardware, software), implementation of acoustic modem into EuroSITES PAP surface telemetry system.

WP3 Scientific and technological integration

Fiona Grant,Johannes Karstensen

Integration of activity into ESONET NoE scientific and technological objectives considering ESONET NoE achievements.

WP4 Data management and outreach

Maureen Pagnani Integration of MODOO real-time and delayed mode data in to the EuroSITES data stream (standardization interoperability); outreach

WP5 Management Johannes Karstensen Managing the project, provide partner communication pathways, Internal and external (ESONET NoE) reporting (e.g. deliverables), organize meetings

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Annex 2: Deliverable list

WPx DeliverableNo

Deliverable title date Nature Disseminationlevel

D 1.1 Adapted BOBO lander to host extra instruments (including DCD node)

9 R PU

D 1.2 Test BOBO lander for deployment including data records and telemetry

12 O PU

D 1.3 BOBO lander and tested transmission of data via MOODOO

18 R PU

D 1.4 Integration and expectation of passive acoustics with other sensors on the BOBO lander

20 R PU

D 2.1 Document describing NERC-NOCS Iridium telemetry system

2 R PP

D 2.2 Tested DCD nodes delivered to NERC-NOCS 7 O PP

D 2.3 Telemetry buoy modified to communicate with DCD nodes 10 D PP

D 2.4 NIOZ lander delivered to NERC-NOCS 13 O PP

D 2.5 Test data sent from lander via DCD nodes and Iridium link to NERC-NOCS

15 D PP

D 2.6 Successful deployment of lander and mooring at PAP site 16 O PP

D 2.7 Successful data transfer from sensors and lander over several months

18 O PP

D 3.1 Report on procedures for sea operations 14 R PU

D 3.2 Test of DCD nodes at lab, sea 14 R PU

D 3.3 Report on technological development in MODOO DM (including DCD nodes)

14 R PU

D 3.4 Report on contribution of MODOO to external, international initiatives and programs (part of final report)

21 R PU

D 3.5 Evaluation report on system performance and recommendation for future work

18 R PU

D 4.1 MODOO web presence established 4 O PU

D 4.2 Test data processed 12 O PP

D 4.3 Test outputs from data received via satellite 15 O PP

D 4.4 Live data processed and presented on web/ftp 17 O PU

D 4.5 Report on MODOO Data Management systems performance (part of final report)

21 R PU

D 5.1 7 month progress reports 7,14 R PU

D 5.2 Final report 21 R PU

Type of deliverable : Report (R) , Prototype (P), Demonstrator (D) or other (O).

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Annex 3: Planning (with milestones)Date Description Milestones

Jul. 2008 to Dec. 2008

Preparation of the proposal, definition of goal, preliminary list of DCD node requirements,

Dec. 2008 Submission of MODOO proposal to ESONET NoE WP 4

Month 1 Mar. 2009

Start of MODOO project

Month 1Mar. 2009

Review specification of DCD nodes

Month 1Mar. 2009

Order and Purchase of DCD nodes WP 3, M 1DCD node purchase

Meeting (in conjunction with ESONET NoE meeting)

Month 3-6May 2009

Lab test of DCD nodes:test different sensors on lander DCD node (port, protocols), test functioning of inductive link of mooring DCD node: data retrieval, two way communication

Month 6Sept. 2009

Shallow water test of DCD nodes (RV ALKOR, Baltic Sea/Gotland)Test of communication between submerged and near-surface DCD nodes:data retrieval, two way communication

WP 3, M 2Sea test

DCD node Meeting

Month 7Oct. 2009

Ship both tested DCD node to from IFM-GEOMAR to NERC-NOCS (mooring) for demonstration and lab tests

Month 8-10Nov. 2009

Test DCD nodes with NERC-NOCS surface telemetry buoy system:Inductive coupling of mooring DCD node, Communication with lander DCD node Bi-directional communication test including interrogation of sensor (e.g. camera)

Month 8-10Nov. 2009

Preparation of BOBO lander: Adaptation of cables and connectors (if required) Prepare to host partner sensors (including Seismometer and passive sonar)

Month 12 Feb. 2010

Ship the tested lander DCD node from NERC-NOCS to NIOZ for integration into lander

Month 12-13Feb. 2010

Complete assembly of lander system at NIOZ

Month 13Mar. 2010

Ship the assembled lander system from NIOZ to NERC-NOCS

Month 13-15Mar. 2010

Lab test of systems at NOCS, DCD nodes with NOCS surface telemetry buoy system: Inductive coupling (mooring DCD node) Communication with DCD node

Month 13-15Mar. 2010

Preparation real-time data system to handle reception of MODOO real-time data according to standards (e.g. definition of valid ranges)

Month 16Jun. 2010

MODOO deployment cruise (shared with EuroSITES; RV DISCOVERY)

Month 16Jun. 2010

MODOO system in operational mode WP 1 to 4M 3

Month 16June 2010

Receive and preliminary processing of real time data:Quality control of real time data (based on international standard if available), QC Real time data is made public available (Coriolis data centre via EuroSITES)

WP 4M 4

Month 16-20June 2010

Control of selected sensors via satellite/acoustic underwater telemetry system (demonstrate event triggered control)

WP 4, M 5

Month 16-21June 2010

Analysis of reliability of hardware components based on real-time engineering data

Month 16-21June 2010

Preliminary analysis of real time data during expected late summer bloom event

Meeting (for assessment)

Month 20Oct. 2010

Report to ESONET NoE

Month 21Nov. 2010

End of ESONET NoE WP 4 demonstration mission MODOO

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June 2011 Recovery of system cruise (shared with EuroSITES)

Annex 4: Staff effort per partners (man-months, one table)

Partner WP1 WP2 WP3 WP4 WP5 TOTAL

IFM-GEOMAR 0,5 0,5 4+1 project(+4 permanent)

0 2 project(+2 permanent)

8

NERC-NOCS 1 2,5 0,25 2,25 0 6

NIOZ 8.5 (6 MM technician)

0,25 0 0,25 9

MI 0 0 6,9 0 0 6.9

UNIABDN 1 0 0 0 0

AWI 0 0 2.5 0 0 2.5

TOTAL 2,5 3 20,9 2,25 4,25 32,9

Annex 5: Financial information: overall budget (personal, investment, missions, consumables, ships days; ESONET NOE contribution required (one table).

Partner (cost model)

Personal

Invest-ment

travel consumables

Ship and instrument not charged to project

Overhead

Total costs

ESONET NoE contribution required

IFM-GEOMAR(AC)

32.000 19.525 *DCD nodes

7.000 26.200 Ship: 110.500Instrumentation (seismometer, MC, optode): 40.000

16.925 245.000(incl. AC personal)

101.670

MI(FC)

39.200 0 6.780 1.000 Ship: 238.000(optional)

31.400 316.380 50.000

NOCS(FC)

67.000 0 6.250 11.875 Ship: 65.000Mooring: 312.500

0 331.780 85.445

AWI(AC)

9.483 0 1.200 0 AUV (2 days) 2137 12.820 12.820

NIOZ(FC)

60.300 3.700 *turbidity

8.000 32.000 145.500 Lander & sensors

44.600 293.000 110.000

Aberdeen (FC )

30.000 0 8.000 20.000 25.000Accoutic sensor

12.000 105.000 40.000

TOTAL 237.983 23.225 37.230 91.075 914.000 107.062 1.303.980 399.935* The equipment (DCD nodes and the combined turbidity/fluorescence sensor) is required to be purchased in the MODOO project and this investment is for the benefit of the consortium as a whole and only in part charged (national depreciation rules apply).

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