The SUBMERSE project, an acronym for SUBMarine cablEs for ReSearch and Exploration, addresses the innovative use of submarine optical fiber cables to advance Earth and marine sciences. Over the past five years, European research infrastructures have pioneered techniques like Distributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS) and State of Polarization (SoP) to monitor Earth's systems. However, these methods have been limited by isolated experiments, high deployment costs, and restricted data accessibility. SUBMERSE seeks to overcome these barriers by creating a standardized, scalable research instrument that integrates DAS and SoP technologies into existing submarine telecommunication cables.
Objectives
The project has six core objectives:
Standardized Architecture: Develop a unified concept that combines DAS and SoP techniques into a single system for continuous data acquisition.
Prototype Deployment: Install standardized instruments in at least three geographically diverse locations, ensuring long-term ocean-bottom monitoring.
Open Data Production: Generate large-scale datasets accessible through open science principles, enabling integration into European data platforms like EOSC and Copernicus.
Cost Reduction: Demonstrate cost-efficient use of existing telecom infrastructure instead of dedicated submarine fibers.
Knowledge Development: Collaborate with research communities and industry to enhance technological understanding and create new market opportunities.
Capacity Building: Provide training for stakeholders on data collection, processing, and reuse while fostering public engagement.
Pathway to Impact
The project aims to revolutionize Earth observation by integrating state-of-the-art technologies at a continental scale. By enabling continuous, multi-user access to high-quality submarine optical fiber data, SUBMERSE will:
Advance research in fields like seismology, oceanography, and climate science.
Support societal applications such as earthquake and tsunami early warning systems.
Foster innovation in industrial sensor calibration and submarine cable design.
Contribute to global climate action through long-term environmental monitoring.
The project also emphasizes sustainability by developing governance models, economic strategies, and training programs to ensure the infrastructure's long-term viability. By uniting European research infrastructures, industrial partners, and civil society under a single framework, SUBMERSE will strengthen Europe's position as a leader in marine Earth observation.
Through its ambitious objectives and collaborative approach, SUBMERSE is poised to open new scientific frontiers while addressing pressing environmental challenges on a global scale.
