2020 maintenance operations for the ALBATROSS oceanographic mooring line were successfully completed by the EMSO Western Ligurian team; usually scheduled during spring time, the activities were this year exceptionally postponed in September as direct consequence for the covid-19 pandemic.

The campaign included two phases: a recovery of the line, performed on 14-16th September, and a full re-deployment done ten days later, on 24-26th, after the sensors were carefully cleaned and checked and re-powered at the Mediterranean Institute of Oceanography and at the Technical Division of INSU  (Marseille, La Seyne, France). These procedures are essential to sustain real-time data acquisition at the site, between 500 and 2400m depth.

The ALBATROSS mooring line, together with the DYFAMED, LION and Nice nodes, are part of the EMSO ERIC Ligurian Sea Regional Facility. The complete infrastructure allows to study hydrogeological changes and biogeochemical properties in the Mediterranean in relation to climate forcings and anthropogenic impacts.

Learn more about the cruise and infrastructure at:
https://www.emso-fr.org/EMSO-Western-Ligurian-Sea/Maintenance-cruises

Image credit: MIO/DT INSU

Image credit: MIO/DT INSU

Image credit: MIO/DT INSU