AMRIT: Advancing European Ocean Observing with Unified Research and Innovation
Uniting 26 Institutions Across Europe
The AMRIT project brings together 26 leading European institutions with a shared mission: to strengthen European Marine Research Infrastructures (MRIs) and enhance ocean observation capabilities. With over €5 million in funding from the EU, AMRIT is spearheading the harmonisation, standardisation, and advancement of ocean observing activities to support the development of the European Ocean Observing System (EOOS).
Building the Future of Ocean Observing: The EOOS Technical Support Centre
At the heart of AMRIT’s efforts is the development of the EOOS Technical Support Centre (EOOS TSC), a comprehensive digital ecosystem designed to streamline operations at sea and improve data collection and monitoring. Through innovative tools tailored to the needs of operators, AMRIT aims to consolidate existing resources and address operational gaps. These user-friendly tools will support tasks such as:
- Parametrising the buoyancy of moorings.
- Automatically generating JSON files for glider deployments.
- Producing standardised CTD cast files with sample names.
The EOOS TSC ecosystem will revolve around an interactive dashboard (developed under WP7), providing real-time insights into operations and integrating data from various tools. These efforts are already underway, supported by a dedicated and skilled scrum team driving early-stage development.
Streamlining Metadata and Data Harmonisation
A critical component of AMRIT is modernising the flow of ocean observation data. Work Package 8 focuses on building APIs to automate metadata transfer from in situ instruments to the EOOS TSC dashboard. This work will expand existing data pipelines in European MRIs, extend coverage to previously unsupervised coastal nodes, and ensure standardisation across platforms. This harmonisation will foster collaboration between networks, enhance operational efficiency, and improve data accessibility.
Enhancing EOV Readiness and Data Usability
AMRIT will also address Essential Ocean Variables (EOVs) readiness through WP13-15. By examining the pathways from in situ observations to EOVs, the project will identify gaps in blended EOVs (data derived from multiple platforms) and develop best practices to enhance their usability. These improvements will bolster EOOS’s capacity to deliver actionable insights for ocean observation and research.
Sustainability Beyond the Project
A key goal for AMRIT is ensuring the longevity of the EOOS TSC as a service. WP16 focuses on creating a sustainable framework to maintain and operate the centre beyond the project’s lifespan, ensuring its continued impact and support for the ocean observing community.
Keeping Stakeholders Informed and Engaged
The communication team (WP4-6) plays a vital role in sharing AMRIT’s progress and achievements with stakeholders. Through strategic outreach and dissemination efforts, they ensure that AMRIT’s innovations and outcomes are accessible and impactful to the broader ocean observing and policymaking communities.
A New Era for Ocean Observing
By uniting cutting-edge tools, robust data harmonisation, and a focus on sustainability, AMRIT is paving the way for a more integrated and efficient European Ocean Observing System. Stay tuned for updates as we work to revolutionise ocean observation and its role in understanding and protecting our marine environment.