MER-PNRR

The service aims to develop a bio-geochemical modelling system capable of simulating the extension of marine plumes caused by discharges containing fecal bacteria. 

It is carried out within the framework of Interventions B32 and B35 of the PNRR-MER project and aims to develop a physical, biogeochemical, and transport modelling system capable of simulating marine ecosystem dynamics and the extent of plumes generated by sea discharges characterized by fecal bacteria pollution.

The MER project includes a total of 37 interventions. OGS's activities are part of the specific context of integrated observational systems, in particular the strengthening of the national system for monitoring marine and coastal ecosystems and their impacts. OGS carries out this activity as the lead institution of a temporary business grouping that includes the company eXact lab Srl and CINECA.

The service, divided into several activities, integrates oceanographic, biogeochemical, and dispersion data and models. It involves a variety of technical and scientific expertise and includes an initial planning phase during which the project management plan, the modelling system development plan, and the training plan for its use are defined.

Subsequently, a coupled physical and biogeochemical modelling system is developed, covering all national seas with a horizontal resolution of 500 meters. This system is available both in operational mode (with five-day daily forecasts) and for reanalysis and hindcast (respectively for the periods 2011–2020 and 2021–present). It effectively represents a high-resolution “zoom” of the Copernicus Marine Service products, which are the state-of-the-art for physical and biogeochemical modelling at the Mediterranean scale, though their horizontal resolution (approximately 4.5 km) may not be sufficient for studying and monitoring coastal processes.

The project also includes an additional ultra-high-resolution downscaling (100 meters) over 10 coastal sites of particular environmental and ecological interest.

At the conclusion of the activities, documentation and a description of the technical, infrastructural, and computational requirements for adopting the modelling system will be provided to ISPRA (Contracting Authority). This system will provide ISPRA with an advanced tool for monitoring environmental (physical and biogeochemical) conditions and for managing and forecasting fecal bacteria pollution in the sea, thereby enabling timely interventions and more effective environmental policies.