OOI Presents a Decade of Ocean Observations at Ocean Sciences 2026
At Ocean Sciences 2026 in Glasgow, Scotland, the U.S. National Science Foundation’s Ocean Observatories Initiative (OOI) Lead Principal Investigator Jim Edson presented an overview of more than a decade of biogeochemical and physical ocean observations collected through OOI.
In his talk, Edson highlighted how sustained, research-quality observations from OOI’s global, coastal, and cabled arrays are helping scientists investigate ocean circulation, climate variability, coastal processes, and ecosystem dynamics. The observatory’s long-term time series provide a unique view of ocean conditions across diverse environments, from coastal margins to the open ocean and the seafloor. OOI’s openly available data support a wide range of research themes, including climate variability, ocean food webs and biogeochemical cycles, ocean–atmosphere exchange, coastal ocean dynamics, and geophysical and subseafloor processes. Recent advances in instrumentation and data systems are also expanding the observatory’s capabilities and enabling new approaches to ocean research, forecasting, and environmental stewardship.
Throughout the meeting, members of the OOI team connected with conference attendees at the OOI exhibit booth. Visitors stopped by to learn more about accessing OOI’s long-term datasets, data tools, and observatory infrastructure. The booth provided an opportunity for researchers, students, and educators to ask questions and explore ways to incorporate OOI data into their work. Team members also discussed the current landscape of federal ocean observing efforts and answered questions about coordination with other government agencies and offices.
Together, the presentation and booth discussions demonstrated how OOI’s sustained observations and open-access data continue to drive new discoveries and expand opportunities for the ocean science community.
Jim Edson, Lead PI of OOI, delivers an oral presentation at Ocean Sciences 2026. (c): Amber Coogan, WHOI
Jim Edson, Lead PI of OOI, speaks with visitors at the OOI exhibit booth during Ocean Sciences 2026. (c): Amber Coogan, WHOI
Jim Edson, Lead PI of OOI, speaks with visitors at the OOI exhibit booth during Ocean Sciences 2026. (c): Amber Coogan, WHOI