A fixed-point ocean observatory is an ocean observing autonomous system of automatic sensors and samplers that continuously gathers data from deep sea, water column and lower atmosphere, and transmits the data to shore in real or near real-time.
Fixed-point ocean observatories are typically composed of a cable anchored to the sea floor to which several automatic sensors and samplers are attached. The cable ends with a buoy at the ocean surface that may have some more sensors attached.[1] Most observatories have communicating buoys that transmit data to shore, and which allow changes to the acquisition method of the sensors, as required.
These unmanned platforms can be linked via a cable to the shore transmitting data via an internet connection, or they can transmit data to relay buoys which are able to provide a satellite link to the shore.
An example for a network of observatories is the Ocean Observatories Initiative.
A typical multi-disciplinary observatory is equipped with sensors and instruments to measure physical and biogeochemical variables along the water column. Additionally the surface buoy can hold several sensors measuring atmospheric parameters at sea level.[2] Main measured variables:
| Sea surface | Sea-surface temperature (SST)Sea-surface salinity (SSS) Sea level Sea state Sea ice Current Ocean colour (for biological activity) Carbon dioxide partial pressure (pCO2) Dissolved oxygen | |
| Sub-surface | TemperatureSalinity Current Nutrients Carbon Ocean tracers Phytoplankton Turbidity Pressure (used to measure depth) | |
| Atmosphere (Surface) | Air Temperature Atmosphere Pressure at Sea Level Relative Humidity Wind Speed Wind Direction Solar Radiation |
In order to do so, typically the ocean observatories are equipped with instruments like:
Ocean observatories can collect data for different purposes from scientific research to environmental monitoring for marine operations or governance for the benefit of economy and society as a whole.Ocean observatories provide real-time, or near real time data allowing to detect changes as they happen, such as geo-hazards for example. Furthermore continuous time series data allow to investigate interannual-to-decadal changes and to capture episodic events, changes in ocean circulation, water properties, water mass formation and ecosystems, to quantify air-sea fluxes, and to analyse the role of the oceans for the climate.
The data collected by the several ocean observatories around the globe on the sub-sea-floor, seafloor, and water column, allows to improve our knowledge[3] of the ocean including:
Moreover networks of ocean observatories can also be used to input data into global ocean models and to calibrate them thus allowing for the investigation of future changes in ocean circulation and ecosystems.