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Deep Ocean Observing Workshop – About

 
Background

The National Science Foundation’s Ocean Observatories Initiative (OOI) is an integrated infrastructure facility composed of science-driven platforms and sensor systems that measure physical, chemical, geological, and biological properties and processes from the seafloor to the air-sea interface.

The OOI network was designed to operate for 25 years and address critical science-driven questions that will lead to a better understanding and management of our oceans and enhance our capabilities to address critical issues such as climate change, ecosystem variability, ocean acidification, carbon cycling, ocean crust formation and the deep biosphere, and impacts of seismic events.

The Deep Ocean Observing Strategy (DOOS) seeks to develop a common statement of requirements and an initial strategy for sustained global deep-ocean observations, with an emphasis on observations below 2000 m and additional attention to shallow processes and mechanisms (> 200 m) that influence greater depths. This strategy considers all Essential Ocean Variables (EOVs), regions, technologies, and societal imperatives in order to prioritize feasible and fit-for-purpose actions for the Global Ocean Observing System (GOOS) over the next 5-10 years. Overarching key science questions are elaborated here and the DOOS 2016 Workshop Report is available for further reading.

For more information on the relationship between the OOI and GOOS, please see the article by Eric Lindstrom in the 2018 OOI Special Issue of Oceanography Magazine.

Workshop Description

A three-day OOI-DOOS workshop will be held from August 27-29, 2018, in Seattle, WA. This workshop will provide an interdisciplinary forum to develop deep ocean science questions and identify societal needs that could be addressed using the existing OOI infrastructure. The workshop will provide an opportunity for participants to gather detailed information about OOI infrastructure, data availability, and discuss existing and prospective EOVs that deep-water observatories can address. Particular attention will be paid to the capabilities and utility of the OOI Cabled Array. Two days of presentations and breakout groups will be followed by one day for drafting concepts and project outlines.

Expected workshop outcomes could include identification of new cabled and stand-alone instrumentation and platforms needed to address DOOS goals and opportunities to leverage other regional ocean observing assets (e.g., the US Integrated Ocean Observing System – Northwest Association of Networked Ocean Observing Systems, Oceans Network Canada). Lessons learned from the experience of developing these assets could be discussed. This workshop will help build and expand the deep-ocean user community interested in the NE Pacific.

Early career and experienced deep-ocean observing scientists from multiple disciplines, OOI scientists, NSF program managers, the DOOS Steering Committee, and other stakeholders are encouraged to attend.

Some travel support may be available.

Expected Outcomes

  • Build and expand the deep-ocean researcher and stakeholder community for the NE Pacific.
  • Discuss deep ocean strategic interests in specifications for existing and prospective EOVs amenable to study by stand-alone and cabled observatories.
  • Identify societal needs and science questions requiring additional infrastructure, sensors and technological development for use in the NE Pacific.
  • Initiate proposals for pilot field demonstration projects to implement a DOOS using OOI infrastructure.

Workshop sessions

  • Information sharing regarding science goals and infrastructure
  • Working session on ideas related to possible demonstrations or pilot/process studies
  • Breakout groups and concept/project outline drafting sessions

Location
Seattle, WA

Dates
August 27-29, 2018

Participants
Up to 50 people

Planning Committee

  • Adam Soule
  • Deb Kelley
  • Jan Newton
  • Henry Ruhl
  • Felix Janssen
  • Paul Snelgrove
  • Kendra Daly
  • Patrick Heimbach

Workshop Coordination and Support
Liana Vaccari / Lvaccari@oceanleadership.org
Leslie Smith / lsmith@oceanleadership.org