Currentmeter mooring (BB, EE, FF) equipped with multidisciplinary sensors positioned on the seafloor and along the water column to continuously measure physical and biogeochemical parameters, allowing for the understanding and description of marine ecosystems, climate change monitoring, and providing information on natural hazards. Thanks to n. 2 sediment traps, vertical fluxes of particulate material are measured. Installed to monitor the seasonal arrival of dense water from the northern Adriatic (Adriatic Deep Water - AdDW; e North Adriatic dense Deep Water - NAdDW) and its interannual and long-term variability due to climate change.

This system has been active since 2004 and funded by several scientific projects (EU-EuroSTRATAFORM, EU-HERMIONE, PRIN-OBAMA, EU-Perseus, EU-CoCoNet, Ritmare Flag Project (SP5-WP5-AZ3), and Marine Strategy (D. L. 190/2010)). Additionally, these oceanographic moorings are part of the Italian fixed point observational network (IFON) and are supported by the CNR Planning and Grant Office.

Since 2021, the BB and FF sites have become part of the EMSO-ERIC (European Multidisciplinary Seafloor and water column Observatory European-Research Infrastructure Consortium) as the southern Adriatic observational node, consisting of the BB and FF moorings and the E2M3A observational site managed by OGS Trieste. Participation in EMSO-ERIC also includes measuring vertical fluxes of particulate material through two sediment traps in the deep mooring of the E2-M3A observatory (managed by OGS Trieste) located in the center of the southern Adriatic basin.

Participation in EMSO-ERIC is also supported by the activities of the Italian Joint Research Unit of the consortium (EMSO Italia). Lastly, the BB mooring is part of the Continuous Long-term Measurement Network of temperature and salinity of deep Mediterranean waters (CIESM Hydrochanges Program).

The instruments used are equipped with internal memory and power supply. Oceanographic data are downloaded in delayed mode during the maintenance of the moorings, which occurs semi-annually or annually. During maintenance, the moorings are recovered to download data, collect samples from the traps, replace batteries, and verify functionality before redeployment. These maintenance activities have been carried out using various CNR research vessels (R/V Urania, R/V Minerva Uno, and N/O G. Dallaporta) or ships of opportunity within the experimental activities of the aforementioned projects.

Personnel involved: Stefano Miserocchi (stefano.miserocchi AT cnr.it), Leonardo Langone, and Patrizia Giordano