Mediterranean stations

Why Timeseries Observations? Atlantic Stations Mediterranean Stations: 1- The Mediterranean M3A Network 2-  How does it work ? 3-  How do we plan to use them in Mersea? 4-  Deployment plan 5-  Status         The E2-M3A system of the south Adriatic based on the BOMA buoy

1- The Mediterranean M3A Network

The MERSEA project will operate a network of 3 time-series stations in Mediterranean Sea. The concept of moored multi sensor systems able to provide real-time physical and biochemical measurements for the needs of the Mediterranean Forecasting System has been described by the MFS Science Plan (Pinardi and Flemming, 1998). Such a prototype system, the Mediterranean Moored Multi-sensor Array (M3A), was designed and developed during the FP4-MFSPP project. It was deployed in the Cretan Sea (Eastern Mediterranean) in January 2000 providing multi-parametric data in a pre-operational mode. The main characteristics of the M3A system are the following:

• Mooring in deep ocean (over 1000m ) 

• Measuring capability of a) physical parameters down to 500m b) biochemical parameters down to 100m and c) air-sea interaction parameters at surface 

• Raw data transmission to the corresponding data centre in "real time" and pre-processed data transmission to scientific users in near real time (NRT). 

The aim of the system is to provide physical and biochemical data sets for a) calibration and validation of numerical models developed for the different sub-regions of the Mediterranean Sea b) interpretation of satellite ocean color data and c) assimilation into operational physical and ecosystem models.

The M3A concept has been further developed during the FP5-MFSTEP project. The two main goals achieved during that project were: 

• To improve the functionality of the prototype system (E1-M3A) and upgrade its capabilities (new underwater and satellite communications, new bio-optical measurements, elimination of bio-fouling techniques, new surface buoy). This provided a higher quality and more extended set of real-time data. 

• To expand the network with one more buoy in the Eastern Mediterranean (E2-M3A) and one buoy in the Western Mediterranean Sea (W1-M3A). The three stations together will be the backbone of the validation of the basin scale forecasts (for currents) and they will serve as subsurface extrapolation data set for surface satellite color data and for assimilation in ecosystem models.

During the FP6-MERSEA project the operation of the M3A network is being consolidated and coordinated with the Atlantic Ocean network. The activities of the project include maintenance of the stations during dedicated cruises, near real time and delayed mode quality control and dissemination of data through the central MERSEA information system. 

The prototype E1-M3A system of the south Aegean Sea	The W1-M3A system of the Ligurian Sea based on the ODAS-Italia1 Buoy