Observing ocean change: one measurement at a time.

The ocean is constantly changing, but many of those changes unfold beyond our immediate view. Understanding them requires continuous, long-term observation. As a key partner in EMSO-Portugal, CCMAR contributes to the design, deployment, and operation of an ocean observing system along the Iberian Margin, one of Europe’s most dynamic and environmentally sensitive ocean regions. Fully integrated within EMSO-ERIC, the European Multidisciplinary Seafloor and Water Column Observatory, this pan-European research infrastructure monitors essential ocean processes from the Arctic to the Mediterranean and the Black Sea. At the heart of CCMAR’s contribution lies the IbMa-CSV station, located south of Sagres at 200 meters depth. This autonomous water column observatory continuously monitors the upper 150 meters, collecting high-frequency, long-term measurements of temperature, salinity, oxygen, turbidity, chlorophyll-a, and ocean currents. These physical and biogeochemical parameters are essential to understand ocean circulation, ecosystem functioning, coastal dynamics, and the impacts of climate change. They also provide critical reference data for improving ocean and climate models. Through physical and virtual access, and dedicated data servers, CCMAR ensures these observations support the scientific community and contribute to Europe’s integrated ocean observing network. Through EMSO-ERIC, CCMAR strengthens Europe’s capacity to assess environmental risks, improve climate predictions, and support evidence-based decisions. 📩 Get in touch to learn more about accessing EMSO-Portugal data and facilities. Contact: [email protected] // #OceanObservation #EMSO #EMSOERIC #ResearchInfrastructures #ClimateScience #OceanMonitoring #IberianMargin #CCMARServices