Action #5: New sampling strategies, new technologies, best practices

Objectives: Design new sampling strategies, evaluate novel technologies, improve estimation algorithms, and revisit best practices to promote the biological measurements in low-biomass areas. Increase links with industry and other technology-related projects. Plan with other RI common benefit sampling strategies.

Action Lead and other Partners (with contact persons): HCMR (Frangoulis), CNRSMIO (Thyssen), NIVA (King), SYKE (Seppälä, Ylöstalo)

JS3 Platforms included: Core platforms: PCL, Ferrybox, HCB. Additional non JERICO-S3 platforms: UBPC, mesocosms

Other data sources and external partners for implementation: ΝΑ

Overall timetable of action:

Dec 2020 to April 2022: Lab tests, field tests at UBPC

Sep 2021 to Aug 2022: Field tests on Ferrybox and HCB

Jan 2022 to May 2022: Validation of carbonated system regional algorithms (see action #1)

Description of action: 

Key PSS features. Benefiting from PSS multiplatform, multisensor approach and experience to test new sampling strategies, technologies, practices. Capacity to support EBVs provision. Capacity to adopt new technology. Collaboration elements: linking with industry, transfer knowledge between PSSs, linking with other technology-related projects, linking with other RIs.

The action will screen new technologies of phytoplankton automated observation and PP estimation (considering the review of recent sensor developments task 7.3) with potential application in oligotrophic waters. It evaluates and identifies optimum optical sensors (including optimum combinations) for phytoplankton sensing under low phytoplankton biomass. It aims to test selected phytoplankton and carbonate system-related sensors under oligotrophic conditions.  These will include phytoplankton abundances and biomass at high frequency and assessment of PP estimates from automated sensors. The outcome will contribute to Actions #2, #3.

In addition, the Action helps in adopting the optimum sampling/deployment strategies for carbonate system, i.e. which variables are needed at the least and at what frequency to get a description of the system (outcome to Action #1, link to WP1).

Best practices used or developed: As in Actions #1, #2, #3. Action will consider procedures and best practices from Τ5.3

Data flows: As in the Actions #1, #2, #3

Data QC routines: New QC tests evaluated, e.g. a multi-platform approach QC (neighbour test)

Improved QA practices for sensors

Data management issues: As in the Actions #1, #2, #3

Expected results:  Based on the tests done in the Action, one can define best sensors for in situ tests on FerryBox and HCB (outputs to action #2). The action allows improving regional algorithms for estimates of carbonate system variables, using carbonate system data (output to Action #1). Action provides feasibility and comparability of methods and best practices in oligotrophic conditions (Eastern Mediterranean). 

Users of results: scientists (from the Mediterranean and other oligotrophic seas), sensor manufacturers.

Dissemination of results: Test results will feed Actions #1 and #2. A publication (white paper) of the most successful practices for oligotrophic waters will be considered (e.g. at Ocean Best practices).

Links: action considers the review of recent sensor developments and provides needs of the multisensor package (task 7.3) and receives/provides procedures and best practices (Τ5.3). The Action aims to use TA to improve linkages with industry and to link with other technology-related projects to screen all related new technology (e.g. NAUTILOS, MINKE, GROOM II). Action will contribute to tests of new practices for sensor validation using mesocosms linking to the AQUACOSM-plus (see action #3).