OCEANSensor draws together European companies and research organisations developing, marketing and deploying marine biogeochemical sensors. OCEANSensor aims to improve and utilise the latest sensor, platform and communication technologies for marine biogeochemical observations. The project will refine existing sensor technologies, develop new applications, and demonstrate complete technology solutions for new, in situ marine sensors and observation systems for biogeochemical parameters in coastal and oceanic waters. The outcome of OCEANSensor will be a suite of marine in situ sensors for pH, pCO2 and O2 (fluorescent optodes), nitrate (UV hyperspectral), phosphate and silicate (electrochemical), and phosphate and ammonium (lab-on-chip technology) with upgraded Technology Readiness Levels and featuring enhanced metrological performance. The project will combine the new sensor technologies with those commercially available, and develop novel observatory packages for novel remote applications in marine systems. We will develop and demonstrate a novel benthic flux quantification system to be deployed for example for carbon capture and storage CO2 leakage monitoring. In addition, we will demonstrate the sensors for water quality and biogeochemical observations on platforms including moorings, ARGO floats, surface roaming vehicles and an easily accessible cabled observatory. The project will contribute to the successful implementation of the EU Marine Strategy Framework Directive and United Nation´s Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 14. A key goal is to open up new application fields of the technologies, and cover a larger community of end-users. OCEANSensor will strengthen the position of European industry and research organisations working with biogeochemical sensors.

The ocean is a major component of the global carbon cycle absorbing about a quarter of anthropogenic CO2 emissions every year, modulating the rate of accumulation of carbon in the atmosphere and hence global warming. Increased levels of CO2 in the ocean cause a decline in seawater pH, also known as ocean acidification, with now well-known potential ecological consequences. Sustained, long-term in situ observations are, therefore, crucial to better understand and predict the impact of climate change on ocean ecosystems, increase resilience and develop sound mitigation and adaptation strategies. Furthermore, long-term sustained in situ ocean observations are required to support environmental and climate policies, such as the European Green Deal, and related policies aiming to reach net zero carbon and achieve a sustainable blue economy. To meet this challenge, GEORGE will advance the global technological competitiveness of European ocean observing research infrastructures (EMSO, ICOS, Euro-Argo) through the development and demonstration of a state-of-the-art biogeochemical, multi-platform observing system for characterisation of the ocean carbon system. GEORGE will advance the technology readiness level of novel sensors enabling for the first time systematic autonomous, in situ seawater CO2 system characterisation, and CO2 fluxes on moving and fixed platforms. These sensors will be integrated on state-of-the-art platforms augmented with the latest in autonomous technology enabling new observing capability. Technologies, methods and SOPs for carbon observing will be harmonised across a framework for multi-platform, cross-ERIC ocean observing, from sensor to data repositories. GEORGE will build capacity in ERICs through the provision of training in the use of new technologies and SOPs on data handling and reporting to staff and member organisations. Technology will be co-developed between industry and ERICs ensuring direct route to market and potential for scalability.