The OGS is currently participating in the oceanographic campaign EMSO SA-2024 of the European Multidisciplinary Seafloor and Water Column Observatory
The OGS is pleased to announce its participation in the Southern Adriatic-2024 oceanographic campaign of the European Multidisciplinary Seafloor and Water Column Observatory (EMSO) oceanographic campaign Southern Adriatic-2024. Yesterday marked the official launch of the mission, which will be carried out in the southern Adriatic Sea until 6 November 2024. The National Institute of Oceanography and Applied Geophysics (OGS) will play a central role in this initiative together with the Italian CNR.
The main objective of the EMSO SA-2024 campaign is to facilitate comprehensive long-term monitoring of ocean processes and climate change in the southern Adriatic Sea. For this purpose, the European research infrastructure EMSO ERIC provides an integrated network of underwater observation platforms equipped with sensors for continuous data acquisition of physical and biogeochemical parameters.
The EMSO ERIC network comprises various Regional Facilities located at strategic sites in the Northeast Atlantic Ocean, Mediterranean Sea and Black Sea. Each Facility is equipped with a range of multidisciplinary sensors positioned on the seabed and at various depths in the water column. This enables continuous monitoring of key marine parameters and thus a better understanding of natural hazards, the status of marine ecosystems and the complex dynamics of climate change.
The EMSO SA-2024 campaign is coordinated by the Institute of Polar Sciences of the CNR (CNR-ISP) under the leadership of Stefano Miserocchi. It is supported by the OGS, the Institute of Marine Sciences of the CNR (CNR-ISMAR) and the British Antarctic Survey (BAS), the British organisation responsible for scientific research on Antarctica.
During the ongoing oceanographic mission, logistical maintenance work will also be carried out at the South Adriatic Pit Observatory (E2M3A), in particular with regard to anchoring of the submarine observation platforms and retrieving data and samples already obtained. In addition, new hydrological surveys using CTD probes and detailed analysis of the water column will be carried out on site. The EMSO regional facility for the South Adriatic comprises two sites, namely E2M3A (operated by OGS) and sites BB and FF (operated by CNR-ISP), all of which offer state-of-the-art marine monitoring capabilities. More specifically, the E2M3A facility has been consistently acquiring data since 2006, providing invaluable insights that are essential for understanding climate processes and ocean connections within different timeframes.
The EMSO SA-2024 campaign is supported by the research vessel Gaia Blu, operated by the CNR. The vessel, which set sail yesterday from the port of Bari, has a length of 84 metres and a gross tonnage of 2,000 tonnes. The R/V Gaia Blu is an excellent mobile platform for oceanographic research and has already been used for more than 80 missions with over a thousand scientists on board.