Experienced and new data stewards enjoying the EMODnet Chemistry training course in Trieste (© EMODnet Chemistry)
OGS and MARIS, project coordinator and technical coordinator of EMODnet Chemistry, respectively, warmly thank all trainers and attendees who participated in the invitation-only training course held on 28 and 29 April in Trieste, Italy.
The meeting aimed to explain how to manage all types of data and metadata to organisations committed to providing measurements to EMODnet Chemistry. The course is a key deliverable of the current EMODnet Chemistry phase running from 3 October 2025 to 2 October 2027 (subject to renewal until 30 June 2029). The event registered 55 participants from 25 countries; the majority (43) attended the course in person at the International Centre for Theoretical Physics. The partnership was pleased to welcome a colleague from Ukraine, who could not be in Trieste in 2024 for security reasons. The first day was led by OGS and six other key project partners from the United Kingdom, Sweden, Germany, the Netherlands, and France. It was dedicated to theoretical information on EMODnet Chemistry procedures, standards, and software, with a guided hands-on activity. The second day focused on issues related to data population and data quality for each European sea region, and on assisting data providers experiencing difficulties in these areas. It was led by OGS, MARIS, and the regional coordinators (RCs) from Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Greece, France, and Romania. The RCs are responsible for producing aggregated, harmonised, and validated data collections in collaboration with the data providers.
EMODnet Chemistry is based on the SeaDataNet network of National Oceanographic Data Centres, leveraging its well-established standards, services, and tools to ensure high-quality marine data management across Europe. As dedicated support for SeaDataNet has gradually decreased, initiatives such as this training course have become increasingly important. Involving new staff in hands-on activities led by experienced data stewards strengthens the operational capacity of centres contributing data to EMODnet Chemistry, ultimately improving overall data quality.
Alessandra Giorgetti, Head of the NODC at OGS and EMODnet Chemistry Project Coordinator