Cabled observatories for ocean research: a component of the ocean observatories initiative

To meet data collection requirements for modern ocean science research, new types of infrastructure are needed that are capable of providing long-term, high-resolution observation of critical environmental parameters. The Ocean Sciences Division of the U.S. National Science Foundation plans to initiate construction of an integrated ocean observatory network to provide the oceanographic research and education communities with new modes of access to the ocean. The ocean observatories initiative has three primary elements: 1) a regional cabled network consisting of interconnected sites on the seafloor spanning several geological and oceanographic features and process, 2) several relocatable deep-sea buoys that could also be deployed in harsh environments such as the Southern Ocean, and 3) new construction or enhancements to existing systems leading to an expanded network of coastal observatories. Just as the U.S. Academic Research fleet is accessible to all investigators, this initiative will begin building a network of ocean observatories to facilitate the collection of long time-series data sets needed to understand the dynamics of biological, chemical, geological and physical process.