Technological innovations for coastal ocean observation: outcomes of the JERICO-S3 project

(1) PLOCAN, Spain; (2) Ifremer, France; (3) Université de Bordeaux, France; (4) Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya, Spain; (5) COVARTEC, Norway; (6) NIVA, Norway; (7) SOCIB, Spain; (8) 52North, Germany; (9) Université du Littoral Côte d'Opale, France; (10) IEEE, France; (11) CNR, Italy

With the JERICO-S3 project, the community of the European Research Infrastructure JERICO, yielded significant advancements in coastal observation technology and infrastructure, aiming to enrich our understanding of coastal ecosystems through multidisciplinary observation and interoperable systems. The outcomes illustrate progress in scalable and high-resolution coastal monitoring solutions, addressing physical, chemical, and biological marine processes. The project focused on the development and deployment of sensor packages and the JERICO e-infrastructure pilot that support multidisciplinary observation, embedded processing, and environmental data sharing frameworks.

Key innovations include the development of three specialized sensor systems designed for distinct ecological niches:

• Plankton Dynamics Sensor Package (PSP): This package utilizes a coastal adaptation of the EMSO Generic Instrument Module (cEGIM). The system can measure synchronously physical, chemical and biological variables at high resolution in standalone mode with on-board intelligence and allows standard real-time data flow critical to track phytoplankton and Harmful Algal Blooms.
• Autonomous Coastal Observing Benthic Station (ACOBS): ACOBS observes benthic ecosystems, focusing on time series simultaneous acquisitions of both diffusive and total oxygen fluxes and benthic biological activity, integrating techniques like: (i) oxygen micro profiling and repeated incubation in a new automated benthic chamber, and (ii) assessments of benthic biological activity and sediment reworking through sediment profile imagery.
• Water-Sample filtering & Preservation device (WASP): Integrated with Ferrybox systems, WASP enables automated environmental DNA (eDNA) sample collection and preservation, thereby supporting eDNA monitoring​​ in conjunction with other water chemistry essential ocean variables.

In addition, the JERICO Coastal Ocean Resource Environment (CORE) digital ecosystem was developed to consolidate and enhance access to JERICO resources, including data, software, and analytical tools. This pilot e-infrastructure aims to integrate FAIR principles and data science methodologies, enabling open access and facilitating scientific collaborations​​. The newly developed pilot digital environment could also provide a basis for a global coastal observation portal. These achievements highlight JERICO’s role in enhancing Europe’s coastal observation capabilities.