PLOCAN, a partner of the MINKE project, represents the consortium at the upcoming CIPM STG-CENV Stakeholder meeting 2024, held from September 16th to 18th in BIPM Sèvres, France. PLOCAN presents the poster “Progress on Advanced Methods for Improving Ocean Observation Data Quality and Services,” which highlights the advancements achieved within MINKE’s Work Package 9 (WP9).
The poster authors include Samuel Marrero, Carlos Barrera, Susan Hartmann, Dominique Lefevre, Marc Le Men, Silvana Neves, Florence Salvetat, Jukka Seppälä, Eric Delory, and Jaume Piera. This contribution will provide valuable insights into improving ocean observation data quality and services, aligning with the project’s core objectives.
Changes have been observed in the oceans that may alter marine ecosystems and increase their vulnerability. To analyze these changes and their impacts, it is necessary to enhance data reliability by applying metrology in the marine sector. The “Metrology for Integrated Marine Management and Knowledge-Transfer Network” (MINKE) project brings together 16 key European marine research infrastructures and metrology institutes to coordinate their use and development. The goal is to propose an innovative framework for the ‘quality of oceanographic data’ for the different European actors in charge of monitoring and managing the EOVs and marine ecosystems.
One of the pillars of MINKE is its focus on uncertainty assessment and reduction, which requires measurements to be metrologically referenced and instruments to work within known specifications. The only realistic way to achieve these goals is through continuous, responsive, high-quality calibration activities. National Metrology Institutes (NMIs), Metrology Laboratories in Oceanographic Institutes, Industrial players, and Standardization Bodies all play crucial roles in ensuring the accuracy of data. However, until now, this work has been fragmented, hindering the rationalization of activities and the valorization of efforts.
MINKE aims at improving the quality and ethics of research on EOVs monitoring through the harmonization of protocols and the definition of common guidelines for research methods and data acquisition. Additionally, MINKE seeks to increase connections among marine metrology research infrastructures and between those infrastructures and other stakeholders, providing a basis for synergistic research projects and case studies to improve data reliability.
Work Package 9 (WP9) addresses case-dependent research questions related to biogeochemical (O2, carbonate, Dissolved Organic Matter), biological (phytoplankton, bioacoustics), and physical (absolute salinity, currents, underwater noise) EOVs. These activities are directly linked to recommendations made by international bodies, contributing to the standardization of measurement methods for EOVs through metrological concepts and methodologies.