The Oceanic Platform of the Canary Islands (PLOCAN) has taken a further step in consolidating its cabled observatory as a leading scientific and technological infrastructure for marine observation. Within the framework of the Blue Upgrade project, PLOCAN has completed the deployment of two oceanographic monitoring systems on its Offshore Platform: the EGIM (EMSO Generic Instrument Module) developed by RTSYS and the FerryBox system developed by 4H-Jena. Both systems are designed for continuous operation and the generation of high-resolution data on the physical, chemical, biogeochemical, acoustic and visual state of the ocean. This upgrade represents a significant technological advancement for PLOCAN’s ocean observation capabilities, further strengthening its position as a strategic scientific infrastructure for ocean research and the validation of marine technologies.
The EGIM module incorporates high-precision sensors for measuring temperature, salinity, pressure, dissolved oxygen, ocean currents, underwater sound, and visual observations of the marine environment through an underwater camera.
The FerryBox system, in turn, performs automated continuous-flow seawater analysis, providing data on temperature, salinity, oxygen, chlorophyll, pH, and dissolved and atmospheric carbon dioxide. These parameters are essential for monitoring processes such as ocean acidification, biological productivity, and carbon exchange between the ocean and the atmosphere.
The combination of both technologies enhances PLOCAN’s observatory with an integrated multidisciplinary cabled observation platform capable of generating high-quality, high-resolution time series. The standardisation of the data produced facilitates interoperability and integration into international ocean observing networks, contributing to European and global scientific initiatives aimed at improving the understanding and protection of the oceans.
Furthermore, these new technological capabilities reinforce PLOCAN’s role as a leading ocean laboratory for research, innovation and the development of data-driven marine solutions. The infrastructure not only provides advanced services to the international scientific community but also offers a unique environment for the validation of sensors, autonomous platforms and emerging observation technologies, fostering knowledge transfer and supporting the growth of the blue economy.
The integration of FerryBox and EGIM therefore marks another milestone in PLOCAN’s development as a strategic hub for marine science and technology, aligned with Europe’s leading ocean observation infrastructures and with global challenges related to sustainability and climate resilience.
The BlueUpgrade project has been funded by the European Union – NextGenerationEU under Spain’s Recovery, Transformation and Resilience Plan, through the 2021 call of the Ministry of Science and Innovation for Unique Scientific and Technical Infrastructures (ICTS).
