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marinematters
IMOS
ISSUE 35 | NOVEMBER 2020
Long-term research shows
ocean acidification ramping up
on the Great Barrier Reef
Ship of Opportunity
operations during
the pandemic
The New Technology Proving
Low Cost Wave Buoy project
advances to its next phase
RV Investigator recovers and deploys
IMOS deep water moorings in the
Southern Ocean after a significant
Peter Jansen, CSIRO
delay due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
For more IMOS News | imos.org.au/news
director’s
corner
Welcome to the November 2020 edition of Marine Matters
This edition of Marine Matters provides Beyond the news and updates, this issue We highlight a number of data features
an update on progress within IMOS has a strong focus on Facilities and in this issue to keep the community up
during 2020, despite the ongoing their recent achievements. Implications to date on changes and improvements.
disruptions caused by COVID-19. There of COVID-19 have created numerous These include exciting new products
have been a number of changes in issues for travel and vessel operations, for multi-satellite sea surface
IMOS in 2020 which are worth noting. but we are pleased to report that after temperature, improved accuracy of
There have been some significant several months’ delay IMOS deep water seal tracking data, and an update on
changes within the IMOS Office this moorings in the Southern Ocean were biogeochemical Argo data streams.
year. We welcomed Dr Paul van Ruth successfully turned around on the first
IMOS continues to support collection
as the IMOS Senior Science Officer RV Investigator research cruise since
of additional data on waves and we
and recently farewelled Jo Neilson as the pandemic began. Congratulations
are pleased to provide updates on
she starts her journey into retirement. to the Facility and the vessel operations
Waverider Buoys deployed by the
team for achieving this objective.
We have also had some changes in New Zealand Defence Force and
Node leadership with Dr Ana Redondo- In other mooring news, a recent results of the New Technology Proving
Rodriguez (SARDI) appointed as the publication based on IMOS data low-cost wave buoy project.
new Node Leader in South Australia from the Great Barrier Reef reveals
These aspects and several other
and Dr Andrew Lenton (CSIRO), Dr Bea increasing ocean acidification in the
highlights are featured for you in this
Pena-Molino (CSIRO), and Dr Robert region as a result of climate change.
edition. We hope you enjoy it.
Johnson (BOM) appointed as leaders These data reinforce the importance
of the Bluewater and Climate Node. of sustained observing and long- Dr Michelle Heupel
We welcome all of them and thank time series data to understanding IMOS Director
them for their contributions to IMOS. trends and change in our oceans.
Ocean Beach (Tas), Lea Walpole
2 marinematters
NEWS
The IMOS Annual Highlights Document
2019–20 is available now
The document showcases a selection as our operations, data streams and by industry and Defence, define dynamics
of science highlights illustrating the outputs mature and increase in their related to food security and biodiversity
many ways in which IMOS research relevance. Active monitoring of the use conservation and facilitate scientific
infrastructure was used over the past and users of our data outline the breadth research into these areas and more.
year for the benefit of Australians. of our community, the applicability
IMOS strives for continual improvement
and value of the observations we
The 2019-20 Annual Highlights document through exploring the potential of new
produce and reflect the strength of
for Australia’s Integrated Marine Observing technologies to improve our observing
our partnerships. Our collaborative
System (IMOS) can be downloaded from capability and test new ways to deliver
approach, high data quality and
the IMOS website. This web page has data for use by researchers, industry,
commitment to making our observations
links to the pdf of the document, as managers, policy makers and the
accessible underpin our outstanding
well as more detailed information about general public. As we enter the United
national and international reputation.
the uses and users of IMOS data. Nations Decade of Ocean Science and
Despite the disruptive events of the look toward 2030, IMOS will continue
In our 14th year of operation IMOS
2019-2020 year, which included extensive to deliver ocean observations for the
and our community have weathered
bushfires and the start of the global benefit of Australia and our regional
some significant changes. However,
corona virus pandemic, the IMOS neighbours who share our oceans.
we have collectively continued to
community rallied to continue to deliver
strive for excellence in the delivery, We hope you enjoy reading the IMOS
ocean observations which are critical
use and uptake of the IMOS program Annual Highlights document for 2019-
to numerous elements of Australian
and this document celebrates the 20 and thank you for your continued
life and wellbeing. IMOS observations
highlights and our achievements. interest and support. If you wish to receive
support weather and climate modelling
any further detail about IMOS progress
As IMOS grows and evolves we continue and forecasting, help inform ocean
during the year, please do not hesitate to
to move from strength to strength conditions relative to maritime operations
contact our office imos@imos.org.au. n
marinematters 3
NEWS
IMOS office New ARDC co-invested projects
STAFFING UPDATE will enhance data integration
between NCRIS capabilities to
support leading edge research
IMOS welcomes the investment from the Australian Research Data
Commons (ARDC) Cross-NCRIS Data Assets program.
IMOS is involved in two projects However, the scales, tools and data
successfully funded through the products used to study the ocean
Cross-NCRIS Data Assets program are very different to those used to
Jo Neilson retired from her role to support leading edge research: study microbes, and both research
as the IMOS Project Manager on disciplines require extensive, domain
November 13th. Jo has led the • Data nexus: coupling genomic
specific skills that have little overlap.
senior management of the office and oceanographic data to
since IMOS began 13 years ago enhance integration IMOS will lead this project in partnership
and has been a key contact for with Bioplatforms Australia. The project
• Ecosystem data integration to support
the IMOS Governing Board, our will drive the integration of large DNA
national environmental reporting
operators and the wider IMOS sequencing datasets that describe the
community. We thank Jo for all of composition and function of Australian
Data nexus: coupling genomic marine microbial assemblages,
her efforts and years of service
in helping IMOS grow into the
and oceanographic data with oceanographic datasets (e.g.
program we have today. We wish to enhance integration water temperature, salinity, nutrients,
Jo a very happy retirement. n dissolved oxygen, current direction)
Every millilitre of the vast ocean
that describe the form and dynamics
ecosystem provides a habitat for millions
of Australian ocean ecosystems.
of microorganisms that modulate ocean
health and ultimately control global climate. The integration of these very different data
types will accelerate our understanding of
Dr Paul van Ruth commenced
in his role as the IMOS Senior
Science Officer in mid-October.
Paul is looking forward to working
closely with the broader IMOS
community to ensure we continue
to deliver quality outcomes for
our stakeholders and promote
the sustainable management of
Australia’s marine resources. Paul
can be contacted via email. n
4 marinematters
NEWS
how changing environmental conditions Ecosystem data integration the Environment with use in the research
drive the microbial processes that sustain to support national sector, in related government programs.
the planet, while enabling non-microbial
environmental reporting The new national and highly visible
researchers’ direct access to key microbial
environment reference collection will have
insights that will enhance modelling of The Australian Government Department
application in areas including environmental
ecological and biogeochemical processes. of Agriculture, Water and the
accounts and impact assessments;
Environment produces the State of
This type of data integration does not land, inland waters, coastal and marine
the Environment report every five years
exist anywhere else in the world and management; agricultural development and
to meet statutory reporting obligations
will provide great advantages to the biosecurity; urban planning; infrastructure
and update all Australians and decision-
Australian research community. design; disaster and risk assessment.
makers on environmental state, pressures,
The output dataset will exploit a wealth trends and key issues. State of the Consolidating these assets in this way
of existing information to develop data Environment reporting relies extensively will serve as a showcase for NCRIS and
resources and tools that are compatible on high-quality national data. for the significant contributions NCRIS
with ideas and needs from the capabilities are making to understanding
This project will involve Atlas of Living
community, including human health and the Australian environment. High-quality
Australia (ALA), Integrated Marine
wellbeing; management of protected/ environmental information is also critical for
Observing System, and the Terrestrial
high value ecologies, and safeguarding Australia to meet its reporting obligations
Ecosystem Research Network (TERN)
Australian aquaculture and fisheries. under international conventions (e.g.
to develop new cross-facility data assets
United Nations Sustainable Development
to support national environmental
Goals, Aichi Biodiversity Targets, United
reporting. Integrated data products will
Nations Land Degradation Neutrality). n
have significant value beyond State of
marinematters 5
NEWS from the nodes
Change of leadership for the IMOS Bluewater and Climate Node
Dr Beatriz Peña-Molino, Dr Andrew Dr Beatriz Peña-Molino is a physical Andrew’s current and future research
Lenton and Dr Robert Johnson have oceanographer working for the Climate focuses on key three key impact areas:
recently become the new leaders of Science Centre at CSIRO in Hobart.
• quantifying the past, present
our Bluewater and Climate Node. Her interests span the high, mid and
and future role of the ocean in
low latitude oceans and their role in
the global carbon cycle,
climate. Her work has mostly focused
on observations from a wide range • exploring and understanding
of platforms, from in situ moorings to the impact of the carbon cycle
drifting Argo floats and remote sensing. changes on both climate and marine
diversity and productivity, and
Through her work she’s also developed
strong ties to the modelling community, • the potential role of technologies
and like the rest of the Bluewater in mitigating climate change.
and Climate node leadership
Andrew currently leads the Earth
team, she would like to use her role
System Science Portfolio within
at IMOS to further breach the gap
CSIRO’s Climate Science Centre he
between observations and models.
is also a member of many national
Beatriz received a PhD in Physical and international working groups and
Oceanography from the Massachusetts projects and is an Intergovernmental
Institute of Technology (MIT) - Woods Hole Panel on Climate Change author.
Dr Beatriz Peña-Molino Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) joint
Dr Robert Johnson is a biological
program (USA) in 2010. During her PhD
oceanographer at the Bureau of
Beatriz explored the interaction between
Meteorology (BOM) with expertise in
the Gulf Stream and the Deep Western
phytoplankton ecology, physiology, and
Boundary Current in the North Atlantic. In
productivity. His current role involves
2011 she came to Australia and joined the
making ocean science useful through
former Antarctic Climate and Ecosystems
the design and implementation of
Cooperative Research Centre, where her
ocean and remote sensing models
work focused on the circulation of the
into operations within the BOM.
Southern Ocean. Since 2017 she has been
employed by CSIRO, where she continues Rob applies this expertise to ocean
to work in the Southern Ocean, as well as remote sensing focusing on ocean colour
in the Indo-Pacific inter-basin exchange and sea-surface temperature satellite
program and contributes to Argo Australia. and airborne imagery. For the last little
while his work has been focused on the
Dr Andrew Lenton is an ocean carbon
use and development of tailored satellite
cycle modeler in CSIRO (Oceans and
Dr Andrew Lenton remote sensing algorithms and models
Atmosphere), based in Hobart. He
in the detection and quantification of
has extensive experience in modelling
phytoplankton in the Australian region.
the carbon-cycle at different temporal
Rob was awarded his PhD from the
and spatial scales, from individual
University of Tasmania for having
organism responses through to earth
developed novel ocean colour algorithms
system models. He also works closely
for the Southern Ocean and Antarctica.
with observations using them to
assess models as well as to use novel Our thanks to the outgoing Bluewater
observational approaches to advance and Climate Node leaders, Professor
our understanding of carbon processes. Pete Strutton and Dr Steve Rintoul,
who will remain involved in the science
Andrew was awarded his PhD in 2006
of the Bluewater and Climate Node.
from the University of Tasmania, and
he did postdoctoral work in France at If you would like to keep informed about
Pierre and Marie Curie University and the Bluewater and Climate Node please
Laboratoire des Sciences du Climat et de email communication@imos.org.au. n
Dr Robert Johnson l’Environment, before returning to CSIRO.
6 marinematters
NEWS from the nodes
New Node leader for the South Australian IMOS Node
We welcome Dr Ana Redondo Ana is a physical oceanographer at facilities in combination with ocean
Rodriquez from the South Australian the South Australian Research and modelling and other data sources, to
Research and Development Development Institute (SARDI) with deliver research outcomes to multiple
Institute into the leadership team experience in fundamental and applied stakeholders, including state government
of the South Australian Node. research. Ana studied Marine Sciences and the fisheries and aquaculture sectors.
at the University of Cadiz (Spain) and These outcomes include studies of the
completed a PhD in oceanography at regional circulation and its influence on
the University of Queensland in 2013. food web dynamics, marine connectivity
and the productivity of ecosystems
During her PhD Ana used a variety of
including fisheries and aquaculture.
oceanographic data, from ocean model
results to remote sensing, to relate the Associate Professor Charlie Huveneers, of
changes in the physical environment and Flinders University, remains as the Deputy
regional circulation of the Great Barrier Director of the South Australian Node.
Reef to conditions in the Pacific basin.
We thank the outgoing South
Ana joined SARDI in 2014 and became Australian Node Leader Dr Paul van
involved with the South Australian Ruth, who has taken up the position
Node. As part as the Southern Australia of IMOS Senior Science Officer
Mooring sub-Facility team, Ana assists in the IMOS office in Hobart.
across all facets of the South Australian
If you would like to keep informed about
Dr Ana Redondo Rodriquez Node including data collection, QA/
the South Australian Node please email
QC and strategic planning.
communication@imos.org.au. n
In Ana’s role at SARDI, she actively
uses IMOS observations from multiple
Emma Sommerville, IMOS
South Australian coastline.
marinematters 7
ON FACILITIES
Deep Water Moorings: RV Investigator recovered and
deployed IMOS deep water moorings in the Southern Ocean
RV Investigator completed a voyage in September which
had been delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The IMOS Deep Water Moorings were “We are grateful for the engineering management, and finally, Master Adrian
deployed into a harsh, remote location in expertise of the moorings group at CSIRO, Koolhof, and 1st, 2nd and 3rd Mates (A.
the Southern Ocean, which is particularly the skilful deck operations undertaken Roebuck, J. Hokin, and S. Edwards) for
vulnerable to extreme weather including by Phil De Boer, Tim Lane, Jim LaDuke excellent ship handling during mooring
very large waves, strong currents and and the crew of the RV Investigator operations and during transit to and
severe storms, presenting significant during some difficult weather conditions. from the site,” says Dr Shadwick.
technical and engineering challenges. We thank the MNF staff (Rod Palmer,
The moorings are operated through
Anoosh Sarraf, Phil Vandenbosch, and a partnership between IMOS, CSIRO
The two moorings, referred to as the
Francis Chui) for their support with the Marine National Facility, CSIRO, Bureau of
Southern Ocean Flux Station (SOFS)
CTD and computing and network access Meteorology, and the Australian Antarctic
and Sub-Antarctic Zone sediment trap
on board, MNF Voyage Managers Linda Program Partnership (AAPP). n
(SAZ) moorings were successfully
Gaskell and Lisa Woodward for voyage
recovered and replaced by new SOFS
and SAZ moorings which are scheduled
Jim LaDuke, CSIRO
to be recovered in April 2021.
IMOS is particularly pleased with
the successful recovery of the SOFS
mooring after an extended deployment
of 16 months and two winter
seasons due to the voyage delay.
Dr Elizabeth Shadwick, who leads the
IMOS Southern Ocean Time Series
(SOTS) Observatory sub-Facility and is
a senior research scientist at CSIRO,
was the Chief Scientist on this first
research voyage of the RV Investigator
since the shutdown of sea operations
due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Mooring recovery team. Phil de Boer, Daniel Morse, Peter Taylor, Tim Lane, Roderick Langham,
Elizabeth Shadwick, James Hogg, Lisa Woodward, Pete Jansen, and Linda Gaskell.
“We have sustained the longest time
series of Southern Ocean observations
Adrian Koolhof, CSIRO
operated by any nation, contributing to
the global effort to understand ocean
dynamics and their role in climate
and responses to anthropogenic
emissions,” says Dr Shadwick.
The sensor records and sample
collections achieved with moorings at
SOTS increase our understanding of
climate and carbon cycle processes in
Subantarctic waters – which are now
recognized as globally important in
removing CO2 from the atmosphere.
This voyage into the Southern Ocean will
produce science of global significance and
is made possible by the strong partnership
between Australia’s national Integrated
Marine Observing System and the CSIRO
Marine National Facility (MNF).
Recovery of the Southern Ocean Flux Station Mooring.
8 marinematters
FACILITIES
AODN: Waverider Buoys deployed by the New Zealand Defence Force are
providing critical information about conditions in the remote Southern Ocean
The wave climate data from the Southern Ocean site is now available via the AODN Portal.
The New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) added to a pre-existing data collection • The second deployment by HMNZS
routinely operates in the Southern Ocean, on the AODN Portal, forming part of WELLINGTON occurred on the
with their crews experiencing large waves the Waverider Buoys Observations – 2nd of March 2018, the highest
which are often poorly forecasted. Australia – Delayed (National Wave wave it recorded was 23.8 m on
Archive) collection. Once the QA/ the 9th May 2018, then on 27th of
To improve the safety of their sailors at
QC has been completed on data from July 2019 the battery stopped. To
sea the NZDF are working in partnership
the third deployment it will also be find this data filter on Site name:
with the academic community to improve
available via the AODN collection. Campbell Island Wave Rider Buoy
forecasts in the area. Moreover, the NZDF
on Step 2 of the AODN Portal.
is currently engaged in a shipbuilding IMOS with our collaborators such as
programme which requires a detailed the NZDF, looks to provide observations • The third deployment installed by
understanding of the wave climate for sea for the operational needs, safety HMNZS CANTERBURY on the 23rd
keeping analysis and ice belt design. and efficiency of marine industries, November 2018, collected data
particularly those who patrol and transit onsite until it broke free on 11th June
Unlike other regions, the Southern
the oceans for security, by making 2020, maximum wave height during
Ocean has limited ship traffic and
data available on the AODN Portal. operation is still to be assessed.
consequently there is a scarcity of wave
observations from volunteer observing Feedback and questions regarding
ships. The difficult conditions and remote History of the deployments the Wave buoy data or any product
location have resulted in limited scientific The Southern Ocean is known for being available via the AODN Infrastructure,
measurements of the wave climate. quite treacherous, possibly resulting are always welcome, please send to
in the three deployments to date; info@aodn.org.au.
The NZDF have been working to fill this
knowledge gap since February 2017 • The first was deployed by HMNZS This news item was written in collaboration
by measuring waves in the Southern OTAGO on the 8th of February 2017. with New Zealand Defence Force Staff. n
Ocean near Campbell Island. On the 20th of May 2017 it recorded
The NZDF have conducted three its maximum wave height of 19.4m,
deployments at the site (52°45.71′S, it then broke free on the 28th of July
169°02.54′E), with data from two of 2017, and was not recovered. To
the three deployments available via find this data filter on Site name:
the AODN Portal. The data has been Southern Ocean Wave Rider Buoy
on Step 2 of the AODN Portal.
marinematters 9
FACILITIES
Satellite Remote Sensing: IMOS multi-satellite sea surface
temperature (SST) composite products have been updated
The Bureau of Meteorology have reprocessed the products adding a further six years of data.
The IMOS Multi-sensor L3S composites
of sea surface temperature (SST)
have recently been reprocessed by
the Bureau of Meteorology and are
now available from the AODN Portal
back to 2012 (previously only back to
1 Jan 2018). They also contain data
streams from additional satellites
that significantly improves the spatial
coverage and accuracy of the products.
The Sea Surface Temperature (SST)
Satellite Remote Sensing Sub-Facility is
a collaborative effort with the Australian
Bureau of Meteorology to produce
high-resolution satellite sea surface
temperature (SST) products over
the Australian and Southern Ocean
regions, designed to suit a range of
operational and research applications.
The Multi-sensor L3S products are used
to nowcast coral bleaching (IMOS SST
products are used in ReefTemp) and
marine heatwaves (IMOS OceanCurrent),
and to study coastal ocean features
and short-term ocean phenomena such
as diurnal warming and upwelling.
Data links and further
information
The new IMOS Multi-sensor L3S
SST products are available from the
AODN Portal (this news item provides
the links to the individual products)
and AODN Thredds server.
These multi-sensor L3S products are
non-interpolated 0.02 degree composites
(equal area weighted averages) of 0.75 km
to 4 km resolution SST observations from
Recent plots from IMOS OceanCurrent demonstrate the (a) Sea Surface Temperature (SST) and
AVHRR and VIIRS infra-red sensors on
(b) corresponding SST Percentiles over the Australian region for 23 September 2020, derived
various polar-orbiting satellites (AVHRR on using the IMOS 6-day night-time 2 km Multi-sensor L3S SST data and CSIRO’s SSTAARS daily
NOAA-15/17/18/19 and MetOp-A/B, and 2 km SST climatology.
VIIRS on Suomi-NPP and NOAA-20). n
These illustrate the improved spatial coverage from including additional data streams from
NOAA-20 and MetOp-B (in addition to Suomi-NPP and NOAA-18). The Percentile maps are useful
in identifying Marine Heat Waves around the Australian and New Zealand coast. The 23 Sep 2020
map illustrates the strong marine heatwave at the time off the northwest coast of Australia.
10 marinemattersFACILITIES
AODN/Animal Tracking: IMOS improves the accuracy of our seal tracking location data
The IMOS Animal Tagging sub-Facility has developed a new quality control process to
improve the accuracy of data transmitted by Seal Satellite Relay Data Loggers (SRDL).
IMOS Animal Tagging scientists have Data Links and Further The Satellite Relay Tagging Program
created two new quality control packages Information – Delayed mode data will remain
for the software R to use with data available in the AODN Portal until all
transmitted from seal Satellite Relay Data Near real-time collection on the historical data have been added to
Loggers – foieGras and imosQCdev. AODN Portal. the new dataset collection. The IMOS
Delayed Mode on the AODN Portal. Animal Tagging team will run the QC
The foieGras package fits continuous-time
packages on the satellite locations of the
models in state-space form, estimating Both dataset collections are available historical records, supplying all records
most probable locations along animal as a set of csv files, including the with improved satellite locations.
trajectories from error-prone locations automated QC summary output.
observed via the Argos satellite system. Thank you to Ian Jonsen of Macquarie
The original format files for these two University and Clive McMahon from the
The imosQCdev package applies the dataset collections can be found on Sydney Institute of Marine Science for
foieGras models automatically to the the AODN data server (for the delayed their contribution towards this story.
new data received every 24-hours and mode and the near real-time).
appends the estimated locations to For any questions or feedback about
Conductivity-Temperature Depth (CTD) The two new dataset collections these dataset collections or any other
profiles and other data collected. The replace the Satellite Relay Tagging AODN Portal collections, please
data are available in near real-time Program – Delayed mode data contact us at info@aodn.org.au. n
mode on the AODN Portal, and also collection that provides access to
become available in delayed mode the data coming directly from the
on the AODN Portal when a second Sea Mammal Research Unit (SMRU,
level of supervised QC is completed University of St. Andrews, UK).
by the end of the Austral Summer.
Rob Harcourt, Macquarie University.
The IMOS Animal Tracking – Animal
Tagging Sub-Facility annually deploys
Satellite Relay Data Loggers (SRDL)
on several species of Southern
Ocean seals including Weddell
and Southern Elephant seals.
The data loggers are equipped with a CTD
and sometimes a fluorometer, collecting
high resolution ocean observations in
the deep Southern Ocean and Antarctic
waters. Animal activity such as dive depths
and duration, which are important for
understanding marine mammal foraging
ecology are measured by the data loggers.
Researchers are advancing understanding
of the world’s oceans and its top
predators, how these species interact with
their environment and predicting how they
may be affected by future changes through
analysis of combined oceanography
and marine mammal ecology data.
marinematters 11FACILITIES
BGC Argo: Update from the IMOS Biogeochemical Argo sub-Facility
The IMOS Biogeochemical Argo team would like to update the community on progress
and plans, discuss deployments, and offer our assistance to new users of the data.
In October last year, two Biogeochemical Australian Bight, the SE Indian Ocean like to extend an offer to potential users
Argo floats were deployed in the EAC off and the eastern tropical Indian Ocean. to draw on our experience. We are
Brisbane. You can look at their tracks We would welcome community input on more than happy to provide code and
and data via the AODN Portal or IMOS the relative priority of these locations, and expertise. The following web sites also
OceanCurrent (Float 5905441 and ideas for other deployment locations. provide resources for new users:
Float 5905442) https://biogeochemical-argo.org/
The IMOS Biogeochemical Argo
In early 2021, we intend to deploy deployments are of course part of a larger https://kimbaldry.github.
three floats close to Antarctica from RV international community that includes io/FriendlyExperts/
Investigator. The approximate location the SOCCOM project to deploy up to
Biogeochemical Argo data represent
of these floats is about halfway between 200 Biogeochemical Argo floats in the
a great opportunity for undergraduate
Davis Station and Heard/McDonald Southern Ocean (including the GAB).
and graduate teaching and student
Islands (67.5°E, 62.5°S). We are also
Data from older Biogeochemical Argo projects, and we are excited about
hoping to deploy three floats in the
deployments by CSIRO in the Indian helping new users to access the data.
northern EAC/Coral Sea in late 2020,
Ocean, in collaboration with India, are
but those plans have been impacted by Regards
also available via the IMOS data portal.
COVID and we are still seeking options. Pete, Tom, Christina and Bozena
Data QC protocols for biogeochemical
The current IMOS Biogeochemical Argo If you would like more information
data are evolving, and we realise that
project, which runs through mid-2022, please contact:
understanding the sensors, data, QC
will enable the purchase and deployment Peter.Strutton@utas.edu.au
and processing may represent a barrier
of about another three floats. Candidate Tom.Trull@csiro.au
to some users. For that reason, we’d
locations for deployment include the Great Christina.Schallenberg@utas.edu.au n
Dr Thomas Moore, CSIRO
One of the first IMOS Biogeochemical
Argo floats to be deployed.
12 marinemattersFACILITIES
National Mooring Network: Long-term research shows
ocean acidification ramping up on the Great Barrier Reef
The collaborative research conducted between AIMS and CSIRO
drew on over a decade of IMOS observations.
Ocean acidification is no longer a sombre support the growth of coral on the Reef. CO2, pH and aragonite saturation state
forecast for the Great Barrier Reef but a It’s never been more important to address data (2009–2019). These data were
present-day reality, a new study reveals. ocean acidification in plans to manage collected as part of Australia’s IMOS
the Reef”, said Dr. Bronte Tilbrook, a network at two long-term monitoring
The study, published in the international
Senior Principal Research Scientist at stations, located 650 kilometres
Journal Scientific Reports, shows
CSIRO who leads IMOS’ observational apart at contrasting locations.
carbon dioxide (CO2) and ocean
projects for CO2 and ocean acidification.
acidification are rapidly increasing on The researchers found the minimum
the Reef. Seawater CO2 has risen 6 Ocean acidification results from seawater CO2 concentrations measured today
per cent over the past 10 years and absorbing excess CO2 that has been were likely to already have passed the
matches the rate of CO2 increases in the emitted into the atmosphere. The CO2 highest CO2 levels expected 60 years
atmosphere, confirming the influence of dissolves in the seawater where it changes ago, even after accounting for the
atmospheric CO2 on seawater CO2 levels. the chemistry. This includes decreasing effects of temperature, nutrients, salinity,
the water’s pH, and reducing the aragonite and daily and seasonal changes.
“People talk about ocean acidification in
saturation state, which is critical for
terms of 50 years’ time, but for the first “We know now that oceans are taking
building the skeletons of reef-building
time our study shows how fast ocean up about 23% of the excess CO2
coral and other marine organisms. Under
acidification is already happening on from the air. They actually provide a
reduced pH conditions, their calcium
the Reef,” said Dr Katharina Fabricius, service to humanity by slowing climate
carbonate skeletons take longer to
lead author and Senior Principal change. But the price to pay is that
form and weaken, leaving them more
Research Scientist at the Australian the seawater’s carbon chemistry is
susceptible to damage and erosion.
Institute of Marine Science (AIMS). changing, and we didn’t know it was
While long-term data exist for CO2 and happening in dynamic coastal waters
The research, a collaboration between
ocean acidification trends in open oceans, at such fast rates,” Dr Fabricius said.
AIMS and CSIRO, drew on over a
there have been very few long-term data
decade of observations collected In another research first, AIMS and
on these trends in coastal waters around
as part of Australia’s Integrated CSIRO scientists have used data
the world, including the Great Barrier
Marine Observing System (IMOS) to from 1384 Reef sites to show coastal
Reef. Biological and physical processes
conclude that the Reef’s rich carbonate acidification’s negative impacts on three
like respiration create large fluctuations
seafloor is not buffering against ocean important indicators of Reef health:
in CO2 in coastal areas, making the
acidification as previously thought.
detection of trends more difficult. • the numbers of both baby coral and
“Our research shows that acidification coralline algae are plummeting as
The study has filled this important
is rapidly changing the conditions that CO2 increases across the Reef, and
knowledge gap by analysing 10 years of
• undesirable seaweed is thriving
at high CO2 locations.
AIMS
The study, published earlier this year in
the journal Global Change Biology,
found these baby coral and coralline
algae also decreased and seaweed
increased as fine suspended sediment
increased across the Reef — with the
greatest sediment concentration and
organism changes observed closer to
the shore. The researchers highlighted
effective water quality management as
an achievable solution to reduce coastal
acidification’s impact on the Reef.
This new item was originally published
as a media release by AIMS. n
The IMOS Yongala National Reference Station on the central Great
Barrier Reef with the AIMS research vessel Cape Ferguson.
marinematters 13FACILITIES
Expendable BathyThermograph (XBT):
Ship of Opportunity operations during the pandemic.
In a time where much of the program that have been able to continue To continue the collection of data along
oceanographic observing community operations uninterrupted through 2020. the PX32 and PX30 lines, we have
is unable to collect data in the usual enlisted the help of the ships’ crew
Under normal conditions, the CSIRO
way, the IMOS XBT Ship of Opportunity to undertake sampling at a reduced
operates three XBT lines (PX30, PX32
program has continued and adapted, frequency (every 4 hours). The crews of
and IX28) in high density, low frequency
where necessary, to maintain our Hansa Freyburg, Seatrade Orange and
mode, with an observation undertaken
observations as best we can. Seatrade Red have volunteered to collect
every 1-2 hours. Each line or transect
XBT data during their transits. After a
The Bureau of Meteorology operates is occupied four times per year.
brief pause on sampling in May-June
three XBT lines (IX01, PX02 and PX11/
This demanding sampling regime while arrangements were made and
IX22) in frequently repeated mode,
requires a ship rider to join the SOOP equipment modified, XBT observations
with observations undertaken every
vessel and collect the data while on recommenced from September 2020.
4 hours. Each transect is repeated
board. Travel restrictions and COVID-19
on a weekly or monthly basis. The IX28 line (Hobart to Dumont
health and safety requirements on
D’Urville, Antarctica) is completed
These observations are collected by ships’ board, means that ship riders are
from the l’Astrolabe during the Austral
crew and have therefore been able to currently unable to join our volunteer
summer months (October to March). This
continue their normal operations. They vessels to collect XBT observations.
season’s planning has been complicated
are the only organisation in the global XBT
OceanOps (www.ocean-ops.org)
Map of global XBT lines from 2016, showing Australia’s contribution in pink.
Note PX32 line is slightly North of the PX34 line and is not shown on the map.
14 marinemattersFACILITIES
by quarantine requirements for visits companies, vessels and crew for their
Mitch Gimm, Master, Northwest Sandpiper, Shell.
to Antarctica, plus federal and state contributions through this pandemic and
government quarantine requirements for their continuing support into the future:
for international travellers. Fortunately,
IX01: Swan River Bridge (K Line)
we have found a path forward and for
l’Astrolabe’s first rotation in November, PX02: OOCL Houston, OOCL Texas
Pat McMahon (CSIRO) will be on board and OOCL Panama (OOCL)
to collect our usual high density XBT
PX11, IX22: Northwest Sanderling
observations. We now expect that
and Northwest Sandpiper (Shell)
the program will operate as normal
for IX28 for this summer season. PX32: Hansa Freyburg (ANL)
In addition, the RV Investigator was able PX30: Seatrade Orange and
to sample part of the IX28 line (from 50S Seatrade Red (Seatrade)
to Hobart) during September 2020. IX28: l’Astrolabe (French Navy,
The CSIRO and the Bureau of LEGOS & IPEV) and RV Investigator Crew from Northwest Sandpiper
Meteorology kindly thank the following (Voyage in2019_v09) n (Shell) prepare to deploy an XBT.
Capt. C.P. Licardo, Master, Swan River Bridge, K Line
Pat McMahon, CSIRO
XBT system set up on Swan River Bridge
(K Line)
Dr Chris Chapman, CSIRO
XBT deployment tube extending from the bridge on the l’Astrolabe. View from the Seatrade Orange (Seatrade)
marinematters 15FACILITIES
The New Technology Proving Low cost Wave Buoy
project advances to its next phase
WRITTEN BY RYAN LOWE, DANIEL IERODIACONOU, JEFF HANSEN, AND IAN YOUNG
The start of November 2020 represents the first year (Figure 1). A major focus For example, in the Bonney upwelling
a one-year milestone for the two-year now has been on validating their ability zone in southwest Victoria, three
IMOS New Technology Proving Low Cost to deliver long-term data with 6-monthly mooring designs are being trialled with
Wave Buoy Technology sub-Facility, servicing across a number of different performance compared to a conventional
representing a collaborative effort among marine environments throughout wave buoy. The deployments are
researchers at the University of Western Australia with different wave climates, co-located in proximity to the IMOS
Australia, Deakin University, University tidal flows and biofouling regimes. Bonney oceanographic mooring
of Melbourne, Australian Institute of and Portland acoustic curtain.
Over the past year, measurements have
Marine Science (AIMS) and CSIRO.
concentrated on test sites maintained
Paul Tinkler, Deakin University
The project focuses on assessing off Western Australia (WA - maintained
the performance of a new generation by the University of Western Australia)
of small, low-cost wave buoys that and Victoria (Vic -maintained by
could help to efficiently expand wave Deakin University and University of
observations around Australia. The Melbourne), with initial data being
trials conducted at several sites around streamed to the community in near
Australia have focused on collecting real-time at the https://wawaves.org/
sustained observations from Sofar and https://vicwaves.com.au/ sites.
Ocean Spotter buoys, which are both
The Spotter buoys have been serviced
much cheaper and smaller (hence less
at 3-6 monthly intervals, with minimal
costly to deploy) than conventional
disruptions from the COVID-19 pandemic
wave buoys. To benchmark wave buoy
due to the ability to deploy and retrieve the
performance, the project has established
small Spotter buoys from small coastal
several test sites around Australia where
vessels (Figure 2). Due to the much
Spotter buoys are deployed directly
smaller size of these new buoys (~5 kg
adjacent to conventional wave buoys.
versus >100 kg for conventional buoys),
The ability of these new buoys to the project has also been focusing on
measure wave motions with comparable trialling new mooring designs that are
accuracy to conventional buoys has tailored to maximise performance. Figure 2: Port Fairy wave buoy servicing
(see www.vicwaves.com.au).
been established in the project during
Research vessel MV Yolla.
Figure 1: Comparison of
significant wave heights for
two Spotter wave buoys
deployed off Albany, WA
adjacent to a Datawell
Directional Waverider buoy.
16 marinemattersFACILITIES
Using the large volume of data A second drifting buoy was deployed from Australia off WA and the Northern Territory
collected over the past year, the the RV Falkor in January of 2020 in Bremer (NT). A new test site was recently deployed
project has also been helping to Canyon along WA’s south coast. The buoy off Ningaloo Reef, WA, with field support
develop new QA/QC procedures for has since drifted more than 2000 km, provided by the Minderoo Exmouth
wave buoy data delivery within IMOS, initially to the west and then north and Research Laboratory, which will compare
working closely with the AODN. now sits 350 km offshore of Exmouth in Spotter data against a conventional wave
WA’s northwest (see the current location buoy maintained by the WA Department
The QA/QC procedures have been
at https://wawaves.org/). The buoy of Transport. In late November, the team
developed with the larger national wave
continues to report quality near real-time will establish its final test site off NT, by
observation community, coordinated
spectral wave data hourly. comparing performance of a Spotter buoy
with the FOO Surface Waves Working
adjacent to a conventional wave buoy
Group and the AODN. Over the past Looking forward to the final year of
that will be deployed by AIMS as part of
year, the near real-time data from the Vic the project, a particular focus will be
the IMOS Wave Buoys sub-Facility of the
and WA project sites has been attracting expanding test sites in the northern part of
National Mooring Network Facility. n
significant stakeholder and public interest
(for example, 25K web visits to the https://
vicwaves.com.au/ website alone in 2020).
With the wide range of stakeholders
interested in real-time coastal
observations, as additional Spotter buoys
are being deployed at new sites around
Australia, further stakeholder engagement
and data uptake is expected to further
grow. This New Technology Proving sub-
Facility is doing the groundwork to trial
and operationalise this new technology
to enable standardisation across
deployments and integration across
Australia’s broader wave buoy network.
In addition to the moored buoys, the
New Technology Proving sub-Facility
has included the deployment of drifting
Spotter Buoys (Figure 3). A drifting
buoy was deployed in Perth Canyon in
November 2019. After deployment, the
buoy travelled to the south and spent
the winter of 2020 about 500 km SW of
Cape Leeuwin before deciding to come
home. In September, the buoy drifted
north and was remarkably able to be
recovered 100 m off the beach just south
of Perth. The buoy, which recorded
significant wave heights over 9 m, was
in very good condition and contained 11
months of raw displacement data (which Figure 3: Drifter tracks for two Spotter buoys delivering near real-
is not transmitted due to the file sizes). time wave data, released off Bremer Canyon and Perth Canyon.
marinematters 17IMOS POSTGRADUATE PROFILE
IMOS DATA STREAM USED: Previous studies in the region have
Ocean gliders, Ocean radar, examined the eddy dynamics mainly
Ocean moorings and SRS. using satellite imagery, shipborne
measurements and, numerical modelling.
Mesoscale eddies are ubiquitous features However, these studies have been limited
in the ocean with closed circular currents by low spatial and temporal resolution of
that are typically 50-300 km in diameter ocean observations and subsequently
and are considered to be the weather there is a limitation in understanding
of the ocean. They play an important of the three-dimensional structure and
role in physical and biogeochemical generation of mesoscale eddies.
processes in the ocean being effective
transporters of heat, salt, nutrients, Sharani’s study will use a variety
and other biochemical materials in the of oceanographic remote and in-
ocean. They are highly energetic rotary situ observations collected through
features and lasts for many weeks and IMOS using a variety of platforms
travel many hundreds of kilometers. that include High Frequency Radar,
ocean gliders, oceanographic
The West Australian ocean circulation
Sharani Kodithuwakku is dominated by the Leeuwin Current
moorings and satellite remote sensing
along West Australian coast.
The University of Western Australia (LC), a strong, narrow poleward flowing
current with both seasonal and inter- This will be the first study of its type
Project title: annual variability. It is considered to use such a rich array of oceanic
anomalous as it flows poleward, in measurements. The study consists of
Dynamics of Mesoscale eddies
contrast to other ocean basins, where the three major aims: (1) define the climatology
around Western Australia. of mesoscale eddies in Western Australia;
currents flow equatorward. These unique
oceanographic characteristics of LC (2) examine the internal three-dimensional
System together with changes in coastline structure of mesoscale eddies in the
orientation results in the most energetic Perth submarine canyon; and, (3) to
eddy field associated with eastern determine the role of topography on the
boundary current systems globally. generation of mesoscale eddies. n
Paul Lethaby, UWA
18 marinemattersThe AODN Portal provides access to all available
Australian marine and climate science data
and provides the primary access to IMOS data
including access to the IMOS metadata.
Director Michelle Heupel – Michelle.Heupel@utas.edu.au
Deputy Director Indi Hodgson-Johnston – Indiah.HodgsonJohnston@utas.edu.au
Senior Science Officer Paul van Ruth – Paul.vanRuth@utas.edu.au
Operations Manager Emma Sommerville – emma.sommerville@utas.edu.au
Communications Manager Marian Wiltshire – Marian.Wiltshire@utas.edu.au | communication@imos.org.au
IMOS Program Officer Jake Wallis – jake.wallis@utas.edu.au
Office Assistant Karen Pitman – karen.pitman@utas.edu.au
General enquiries: Integrated Marine Observing System (IMOS), University of Tasmania, Private Bag 110, Hobart, TAS, 7001
+61 (03) 6226 7549 T • +61 (03) 6226 2107 F
For more information about IMOS please visit the website www.imos.org.au
Thanks to: Michelle Heupel, Jake Wallis, Beatriz Peña-Molino,
Australia’s Integrated Marine Observing System (IMOS) Andrew Lenton, Robert Johnson, Ana Redondo Rodriquez,
is enabled by the National Collaborative Research Elizabeth Shadwick, New Zealand Defence Force, AODN, Helen
Infrastructure Strategy (NCRIS). It is operated by a Beggs, Katharina Fabricius, AIMS, Ian Jonsen, Clive McMahon,
consortium of institutions as an unincorporated joint Pete Strutton, Tom Trull, Rebecca Cowley, Ryan Lowe, Daniel
venture, with the University of Tasmania as Lead Agent. Ierodiaconou, Jeff Hansen, Ian Young, and Sharani Kodithuwakku.
marinematters 19You can also read
