Integrated Marine Observing System

Around 420 people from 50 nations travelled to Brisbane for ICRI 2024, with more than 500 people joining online. IMOS Executive Director, Michelle Heupel, demonstrated the real-world application of ocean observations in the panel “Research infrastructures success stories in supporting research translation.” Research Infrastructures (RIs) constitute major strategic assets across all scientific disciplines, research fields and national, regional, and global scales. They support the research needed to produce breakthrough discoveries and address societal challenges. For international cooperation and collaboration among RIs, it is necessary to develop and implement governance and funding models that build trust, manage risk and enable infrastructures to keep up with technological developments. The Brisbane Statement arises from the 2024 International Conference on Research Infrastructures (ICRI 2024). It encourages all RI stakeholders to actively consider the role of RIs in addressing global challenges, and how strengthening international RI collaborations can help solve them. Read the statement here 🔗 bit.ly/4g9p1Uh #ICRI2024

New research shows how marine heatwaves have hidden depths. Australian Institute of Marine Science oceanographer Dr Jessica Benthuysen and co-authors found that researchers are developing their understanding of the 3D structure of marine heatwaves using observations and models. In a recently published paper, scientists described how a range of data sources were used to capture temperatures and how they changed during a marine heatwave on the Great Barrier Reef in February 2020. These included temperature loggers on reefs, AIMS weather stations, and IMOS moorings. Scientists also instigated the targeted deployment of IMOS ocean gliders to understand how deep the marine heatwave reached as part of the IMOS Event Based Sampling Facility. Learn more 🔗 bit.ly/49jiBPT #NCRISImpact

IMOS is internationally regarded as a world leader. Now in its 19th year, the program has continued to operate and perform at this high standard while continuing to innovate and grow. The IMOS 2023-24 Annual Highlights is now available, which showcases new initiatives and achievements. Read it here 🔗 bit.ly/4g3Gb5p #NCRISImapct

IMOS has been enhancing our connections and partnerships with First Nations, and recently worked with designer Tarquin Singleton, Yirrganydji, to create a piece of Sea Country artwork. The beautiful, bespoke artwork exemplifies the role of IMOS in fostering collaboration between indigenous wisdom and modern science to provide an inclusive understanding of our marine environments. “Yirrganydji country is located from Cairns to Port Douglas making us rainforest and saltwater people. Growing up in two world heritages the Great Barrier Reef and the Wet Tropics Rainforest is something to be proud of and has heavily influenced my work. My designs are heavily influenced by my heritage and combine the elements from traditional Indigenous art with modern art.” - Tarquin Singleton Meet the designer and learn more about the artwork 🔗 bit.ly/3ASd7Pn Ingeous Studios

Help shape the future of marine science in Australia 🐬 The National Marine Science Committee is calling on the marine science community to contribute to the development of the National Marine Science Strategy 2025–2035. They are seeking contributors to: • Lead or participate in the development of White Papers that identify the science and pathways needed to address critical national priorities. • Collaborate on key focus areas such as climate resilience, food security, integrated ocean management, ocean accounting, sustainable resource management, cultural heritage, and more. Submit your expression of interest by 29th November 🔗 bit.ly/4eziRvf #AusMarineScience #NMSC #NationalMarineScienceStrategy #Australia #MarineScience

It’s Ocean Acidification Week, and this year’s theme highlights the critical knowledge needed to restore humanity's connection with the ocean. To support this effort, IMOS delivers measurements of carbon dioxide, pH and dissolved oxygen levels in the ocean and atmosphere around Australia using fixed moorings, drifting biogeochemical Argo floats, in situ water sampling and ship-based sensors. These IMOS observations are essential to improving our understanding of ocean acidification in Australian coastal and oceanic waters, informing national strategies and policy regarding climate change adaptation, and contributing to global monitoring efforts. As part of the week's activities, the Global Ocean Acidification Network (GOA-ON) is hosting a virtual symposium. This event brings together researchers from around the world, featuring sessions, plenary speakers, and engaging talks focused on advancing ocean acidification research. Register here 🔗 bit.ly/3CKzvum #NCRISImpact

The biennial International Conference on Research Infrastructures (ICRI) is the major professional forum for the global research infrastructure community. ICRI 2024 brings together experts from diverse backgrounds and scientific disciplines to explore trends, challenges, and issues of significance to the international RI community and help translate discoveries into real-world outcomes. IMOS Executive Director, Michelle Heupel will be joining a panel focusing on successful best-practice cases of how RI can support translation and contribute to societal benefit. To attend virtually free of charge, register here: https://icri2024.au #NCRISImpact

IMOS ocean observations inform the State of the Climate 2024 report 🌩️ The 2024 State of the Climate report for Australia has been released by the Bureau of Meteorology and CSIRO, which found changes to weather and climate extremes are happening at an increased pace across Australia. The report draws on the latest monitoring, science and projection information to describe variability and changes in Australia’s climate. Ocean observations and data provided by the Integrated Marine Observing System (IMOS) have informed several sections of the report, covering sea surface temperature, ocean heat content, sea level and ocean acidification.   IMOS facilities contributing to the State of the Climate 2024 report include Argo floats, Ships of Opportunity, Deep Water Moorings, Ocean Gliders, National Mooring Network, Animal Tacking, and Satellite Remote Sensing. #NCRISImpact

IMOS is collecting specimens of micro-crustaceans such as copepods, amphipods, decapod larvae or krill at the eight IMOS National Reference Stations (NRS) around Australia, and using them to explore the capabilities of advanced technologies like micro computed tomography scanning. Computational Tomography (CT) is a technique that is applied to human health allowing experts to ‘see’ inside someone’s body. In this case, the device has been re-designed to create high resolution models of specimens as small as zooplankton, which has not been done previously in Australia. The zooplankton are held in a liquid medium to keep their body integrity. X-rays are used to take several consecutive images, or ‘slices’, across the specimen’s body. Sophisticated software then assembles all the images creating a 3D reconstruction of the organism. This technology makes it possible to examine zooplankton in unprecedented detail. Very small bodies are difficult to study by dissection, but by using modern image processing software, scientists can highlight structures, organs and tissues with very high precision and in a relatively short time. #NCRISImpact CSIRO

The 2024 Ocean Best Practices System Workshop is underway 👏 The OBPS workshop offers several key sessions that directly align with IMOS objectives, focusing on best practices and innovative approaches to ocean observations. These sessions play a vital role in enhancing our understanding of marine environments and fostering collaboration across the ocean observation value chain. Key sessions include: • GHRSST Data Specifications: Best Practices for Sea Surface Temperature Data Producers • WMO Rolling Review of Requirements for Essential Ocean Variables and Climate Variables • Blue-Cloud Data-intensive Workbenches for Selected Essential Ocean Variables (EOVs) • Best Practices to Foster Strong Industry-Science Partnerships These sessions not only support the use of IMOS data but also highlight global best practices, providing valuable insights for advancing ocean science and management. We encourage our community to join these sessions and engage in the conversation to help drive impactful collaborations and innovations in ocean observation. Register for the final plenary session here 🔗 bit.ly/3BGnwxs #NCRISImpact