In Situ remote portal

 In Situ Observing System
    - Float activities within Mersea
    - Timeseries activities
    - Vessels
    - Gliders
.Data Management
    - Argo
    - Gosud
    - OceanSITES
    - ENACT/ENSEMBLES
    - Quality Control
.Partners Duties

in-situ

Any space-based ocean observation and forecasting system is critically dependent upon in-situ ocean data, since satellites can only sense ocean properties at or very near the sea surface. Direct observations from the interior of the ocean are essential for direct assimilation into models, validation of the analyses and development of techniques for making best use of the satellite data. The ultimate products depend equally on the availability, contribution and success of satellite data, in-situ data, and models in order to merge this information with our dynamical system knowledge.

Mersea will not only collect data available from existing observing systems, but will contribute to the global observing system and also to the development and assessment of new technologies for the monitoring of chlorophyll, oxygen, carbon dioxide, and nutrients.

To fulfil the forecasting and analysis needs, we will have to ensure the availability of real time and delayed-mode global and regional in- situ data and products in the form required by the Mersea modelling, data assimilation, and validation systems.

 Near-real-time data will be processed, quality-controlled and delivered over 2004-2008. The data sources fall into 3 classes :

1. Existing operational systems like VOS lines. No observing efforts are required by Mersea.

2. Pre-operational systems/projects like ARGO (Gyroscope), Timeseries (Animate), and MFSTEP which will not continue to operate without a significant European contribution. Mersea has to demonstrate the capacity to operate these and use the data operationally, and thus lay the foundation for a future European maintenance of these.

3. Other existing observing system elements required for Mersea will be improved and integrated through R&D activities, and demonstrated in the operational system, like autonomous platforms collecting biogeochemical data and routine observations from research vessels.

All three streams will be consolidated to become fully operational by 2008.