NSF Ocean Observatories Initiative (OOI) & SOEST/Ocean/PO Who in SOEST/Ocean/PO is currently involved? Some opportunities for additional involvement/funding. How can SOEST prepare for these opportunities? Caveat: Do we understand what we’re getting into? Briefly: What is the OOI? & Why do we need it?
Those of you who contributed to prior versions of the OOI (nee ORION) …. …. take a deep breath, … relax, and … prepare yourselves … …. take a deep breath, … relax, and … prepare yourselves …
Global: 3 sites (was 11) Regional: 5 nodes (was 9) Coastal: 2 sites (was 6) But … the fewer sites have more infrastructure and sensors...
Transformative Technologies & Capabilities (yes, they’re still intact, mostly) Continuous & plentiful power. High-bandwidth, real-time, 2-way communication. Mobile platforms - vertically & horizontally. Sustained presence in extreme environments. Sustained presence in contrasting environments. Sensor networks.
Enabled Experimental Paradigms (yes, they’re still intact, mostly) Continuous, rapid, temporal sampling over long time periods. Command and control; adaptive sampling. Event detection and rapid response. Simultaneous deployment of arrays of multi-disciplinary sensors over long periods of time. Deployment of power hungry sensors for long time periods. 4-D obs of variables & processes over long periods of time.
Courtesy: M. Levine, OSU Impacts: vertical nutrient fluxes stratification maintenance thermohaline circulation Many processes contribute. Action occurs near topography. Action occurs on small time scales and is highly episodic. So, need: sustained observations temporal & vertical resolution full-depth profiling horizontal delineation gliders; moorings multiple environments smooth; hilly; scarps shallow & deep adaptive sampling Sub-epipelagic Diapycnal Mixing
OOI Funding Opportunities Only OOI Funds (not individual PI research funds) $331M for 6-yr build out (average of $55M/yr) substantial fraction for infrastructure & sensor sub-contracts $331M for 6-yr build out (average of $55M/yr) substantial fraction for infrastructure & sensor sub-contracts $1 Billion for 20-yr O&M ($50M/yr) substantial fraction for instrument maintenance & data QA/QC, etc. $1 Billion for 20-yr O&M ($50M/yr) substantial fraction for instrument maintenance & data QA/QC, etc.
SOEST/Ocean/PO Involvement in OOI Infrastructure: Roger Lukas and Bruce Howe - Cabled Mooring w/Profilers
SOEST/Ocean/PO Involvement in OOI Infrastructure: Bruce Howe - gliders with acoustic modems 5+ gliders needed at each of 5 C-GSN sites.
SOEST/Ocean/PO Involvement in OOI Sensors: Doug Luther - HPIES
SOEST Potential Involvement in OOI O&M: Glider operations ADCP QA/QC
How Should SOEST Prepare? Glider facility should be nurtured and generate a documented performance record. To compete for awards for constructing infrastructure, such as gliders, or instruments, ESF needs to be strengthened, with clearly defined and well-regarded operating procedures, and scheduling & cost control. To bolster claim that we can handle continuous streams of data, providing QA/QC 24/7, the HIOOIS DMAC facility must be fully functional and successful. Be prepared for cost matching …
Caveat Maximus Contracts are for services, not research. Data are not proprietary. Maintaining data streams & facilities 24/7 could be a black hole for researcher time/effort. While bringing in funds, effort doesn’t necessarily increase SOEST’s prestige.