EMODnet Chemistry and the wider ocean data ecosystem | European Marine Observation and Data Network (EMODnet)

EMODnet Map Viewer (2024 edition) as shown in Figure 9 of the paper

Featured in the latest EMODnet Chemistry report, the scientific article, “An overview of the ocean data ecosystem”, highlights the contribution of EMODnet’s Chemistry thematic to the ocean data ecosystem, as a key component of the wider EMODnet service. The concept of a data ecosystem offers a useful framework for strengthening the weakest link in the data value chain: data management based on FAIR and TRUST principles. Read this article to learn more about the actors, organisations, and infrastructures that make up the ocean data ecosystem as described by the authors of the paper.

The study, led by the University of Haifa, the Israel Oceanographic and Limnological Research Institute, and Aalborg University, Denmark, outlines key actors in the ocean data ecosystem and their respective roles, with particular focus on marine researchers as end-users. A key aim of the article is to strengthen connections among the various players to enhance how data are used to address scientific questions.

The authors emphasise that ocean data exhibit the characteristics of ‘big data’, moving through a complex lifecycle that includes collection, processing, storage, sharing, analysis and interpretation. It is also widely accepted that ocean research mainly focuses on data collection and analysis, while data management based on FAIR and TRUST principles remains underdeveloped. To improve this aspect of the data lifecycle, a clear definition of the actors involved and their roles is essential. The concept of a data ecosystem provides a useful framework for addressing this challenge, as the term “ecosystem” well represents the interdependence among the actors, organisations and infrastructures involved in all aspects of the data value chain.

To develop the ocean data ecosystem, the authors considered data value ecosystems established by various researchers in different fields, such as the European big data value ecosystem, reviewing 90 scientific articles and over 100 websites.

The resulting ocean data ecosystem comprises five main actors (Fig. 1): (1) ‘Stakeholders’ (e.g. marine researchers and research institutions, regional and international ocean observing organisations and frameworks); (2) ‘Societal elements’ (e.g. key principles, key initiatives, goals and targets, policy and regulation); (3) ‘Interoperability tools’ (e.g. licenses, standards and marine ontologies, best practices and frameworks in ocean science); (4) ‘Data sources and product offering elements’ (e.g. marine science data sources and their product and service offerings); (5) ‘Emerging solutions’ (e.g. data integration solutions). The authors also developed an online ocean data ecosystem relational model. The map is a long-term reference, open, and may be updated and extended. To facilitate contributions and comments from the public, a public issue system is available.

Figure 1 A diagram showing the main actors in the ocean data ecosystem model according to the paper

EMODnet is first recognized as a key initiative that contributes to the societal, regulatory, organisational, and technological context. The authors describe these initiatives as coordinated efforts to promote effective data management, sharing, and stewardship within the data ecosystem. The work refers to projects aimed at enhancing the uptake of EU ocean data sharing initiatives and their applications, for example, by creating synergies among data infrastructures such as EMODnet, Copernicus, BlueCloud, SeaDataNet, and the Global Ocean Observing System Operations, which provide access to integrated information, maps, and tools on global ocean observation efforts.

Regarding interoperability, EMODnet Chemistry is recognised for employing several strategies to achieve this. High value is placed on the use of OGC-compliant formats in its product offerings and DataCite DOIs to provide persistent, unique identifiers. Additionally, EMODnet Chemistry implements and further develops SeaDataNet standards, vocabulary, and services. As an example of synergies with the Copernicus Marine Service, the use of EMODnet Chemistry data in their models and products is reported.
For details on this topic, you can refer to the use case entitled “EMODnet Chemistry Datasets provide high quality harmonised and integrated data to the Copernicus Marine Service Thematic Assembly Centre products”.

Key EMODnet services, such as the map viewer and the products catalogue, are highlighted in the section dedicated to data sources and product offerings, particularly those based on a federated data management approach. EMODnet also contributes to the ocean data ecosystem by adopting emerging solutions, referring to various efforts to leverage advanced technologies and methodologies to address challenges facing the ocean data ecosystem. Notably, EMODnet was an early adopter of the Environmental Research Division Data Access Program (ERDDAP™) in Europe, and since 2023, all EMODnet thematic areas have offered some ERDDAP services. ERDDAP was initially developed and used by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) as a visualisation and data conversion tool, enabling multiple data subsets from different sources to be merged into a single workspace. Since 2024, EMODnet’s Chemistry offering of aggregated, harmonised and validated datasets on many marine chemistry parameters, such as eutrophication and ocean acidification, has also been available via an ERDDAP installation with oceanographic data. Finally, EMODnet, together with Copernicus Marine Service, forms the common cloud-based data lake of the European Digital Twin Ocean (EDITO).

Insights into emerging solutions implemented by EMODnet are described in the following news articles on the EMODnet portal:

The authors conclude the article by noting that “while in the early 2000s oceanographic data were largely confined to research institutions, with limited standardisation and few mechanisms for data sharing, the development of data repositories and interoperability tools, including platforms such as SeaDataNet, PANGAEA, DataOne, and EMODnet, has substantially enhanced data accessibility.”

The authors make a final point regarding (ocean) data literacy : “Becoming familiar with the ocean data ecosystem enables stakeholders to share data and services, thereby enhancing research outcomes by extracting value from the increasing volume of shared data.”