ICT tools

One of the key results of the TIMMOD project implementation is the elaboration of a set of ICT tools for data handling and numerical modelling of the marine environment, including high-level implementation of ocean dynamics modelling, and development of web-based data tools. 

The conceptual schematics of the pilot MMDSP in TIMMOD Project, showing the relation of the primary Database, the GIS tool, and the Operational Forecast Platform (OFP) of modelling components (Delft3D + MIKE Eco-Lab fed by Copernicus and NOAA/ECMWF services) towards dissemination and alert tools (Mobile Data Tool) to the public is presented below.

The web-GIS tool presents a modern solution for handling and sharing three types of data:

  • Hydrodynamic and meteorological data (sea currents, salinity, temperature, wind).
  • Ecological data (biological, chemical, and physical parameters of seawater).
  • Data of fish and non-fish stocks.

The forecasting of several marine environmental parameters in two coastal areas around – Varna in Bulgaria and Batumi in Georgia - is accomplished by using complex datasets feeding and forcing the models’ setups by proper meteorological input (by NOAA/ECMWF) and oceanographic boundary conditions (by Copernicus) about the local hydrodynamics.

The atmospheric forcing input configuration that feeds the TIMMOD operational simulations of sub-mesoscale hydrodynamic circulation is post-processed and reproduced within the entire study area’s domain of the Black Sea Basin; examples of wind speed raster fields is provided in the contour surface maps.

The completed Deliverable D.T2.1.1 “Web-based open GIS tool for implementation of modelled data by stakeholders and end-users, including a database of hydro-environmental monitoring and modelling output and future projections” presents in detail the way to build and setup a novel GIS technology component of complex data dissemination based on: Quantum Geographical Information System (QGIS) for desk management; R Studio script libraries; rgeos Interface to Geometry Engine - Open Source ('GEOS'), using C 'API' for topology operations on geometries; Shiny a new R Studio app with easy interactive web applications (shiny.rstudio.com); Leaflet  technology.

An example of a) raster fields for BSB seawater Sea Surface Salinity (SSS) and Temperature (SST) with contour surface maps (upper graph), and b) vertical distributions over the water column on points along the computational domain boundaries (lower graph), in the Varna coastal area (pilot test case in Bulgarian waters), produced within the TIMMOD OFP for oceanographic modelling, is available:

The programming codes and building process within the R Studio working interface, e.g., arranging lists and relevant data structures in order to group GIS maps, created in Leaflet, are shown in the “Viewer” panel below; application refers to the coastal stations of field monitoring data in the Batumi pilot test within TIMMOD project.

This processing results to the following depiction outcome about Chemical and Phytoplankton parameters (PO4 and NO3 concentrations’ timeseries are shown here) in the Batumi coastal area’s part of the web-GIS app, supported in terms of dataset feeding by the TIMMOD Survey Pilot Demonstrations

For the Varna pilot test site, the TIMMOD web-GIS app offers the following monitoring field georeferenced datasets: a) dual map representation of physicochemical datasets, b) abundance of Turbot fish stock by Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE; kg/km2) in raster mode for 2017, c) vertical (along the water column) distribution of e.g., pH and other physicochemical parameters in selected field measurement points, d) SSS and SST point values, e) spatial polygons and spatial points projected for Rapana Venosa fields and Natura2000 areas. All the above are found via:

Supplementary to the web-GIS platform, a Database has also been created to support the interactive web-based platform of the TIMMOD Project. The Database is the 4th essential tool of the MMDSP within TIMMOD Project for the dissemination of hydro-environmental monitoring and modelling output (including forecasts). The Database tool combines several types of parameters, including hydrodynamic and meteorological data, ecological data in coastal areas, and fish and non-fish stock data.

As a means to assist the data-sharing processes between the members of TIMMOD project in the following, login info of the created FTP repository, called marineftp in AUTh’s mini-cluster infrastructure.

The open-source freely available FileZilla FTP client software can be  downloaded in order to establish connection to and management of the TIMMOD FTP repository/database. The aforementioned way to connect and manage the proposed database, based on the respective software, hinges on the choice to secure data, e.g., from cyber-attacks to freely available FTPs and its versatility/easy-use in the communication of Windows- and Linux-based O/S machines.

In the respective folders, the shared material by all TIMMOD PPs is concurrently uploaded, in unified formats, i.e., .dat, .csv, .xlsx, .tif, .shp, etc. files, from modelling input/output and monitoring results from the demonstration pilot surveys in Varna and Batumi. Other historically available datasets about river discharges, etc. are also uploaded there. 

To secure interaction stakeholders and end-users are provided with editorial rights to the FTP repository, and they are informed to provide georeferenced files and information for any kind of datasets one may upload.

The information for FileZilla login/connect is provided in the following link (password is available to interested parties, public end-users, and stakeholders only after registration via the TIMMOD website’s Database).

Web access is offered conditionally after filling a relevant rregistration form.

TIMMOD activities at a glance

Group Activity T1

Inventory and promotion of innovative environmental monitoring technologies for assessment of fish stock and non fish living resources. This activity aims at the elaboration of an Inventory of Innovative water monitoring technologies for monitoring of chemical, physical and biological parameters, and assessment of living resources.

Group Activity T2

Assessment and recommendation on advanced hydro-environmental numerical tools for data handling, real-time control and forecasting of marine conditions in the Black Sea. The main aim is to broaden the focus of traditional data processing and numerical modelling approaches by taking into account the holistic perspective in the analysis.

Group Activity T3

Pilot demonstration project on innovative monitoring using advance methods and instruments. Selecting innovative instrumentation, data handling and numerical modelling tools that are going to be demonstrated in two sea areas/test sites in Varna and Batumi.

Group Activity T4

Innovation Strategy to improve joint monitoring, data sharing and cross border information exchange systems in compliance with Marine Strategy Framework Directive and Data Collection Framework. This activity aims to develop common Strategy for supporting the implementation of modern technological upgrade in joint environmental monitoring, in service of the cross border cooperation and data sharing systems.

TIMMOD activities are in full swing. Please contact us to follow TIMMOD activities progress in detail, as well as if you wish to receive latest technical reports elaborated by the project team.

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