The Integrated Carbon Observation System (ICOS) is a pan-European research infrastructure which provides harmonised and high-precision scientific data on carbon cycle and greenhouse gas budget and perturbations.
The ICOS Ocean Thematic Centre (OTC) is responsible for helping, in collaboration with the ICOS Carbon Portal and the ICOS Head Office, the operational element of Marine ICOS, the network of observing platforms (VOS, fixed stations and repeat hydrography) represented in the Monitoring Station Assembly, deliver its core mission of providing the data needed to quantify the changing role of the ocean in the global carbon cycle. Specific elements include:
- Designing and maintaining the network of stations and reaching out to external users of the data;
- Assisting with and quality controlling data collection and availability and preparing and updating protocols;
- Training ocean site Principle Investigators (PIs) and technical staff;
- Evaluating new sensors and methodologies;
- Seeking new partners to complete the array and underpin its robustness.