Today starts in Barcelona the third edition of the Barcelona World Race 2014/15. All of the boats participating in the regatta are taking part in scientific projects with the Institute of marine Science, coordinated by the UNESCO-IOC. The results collected by the skippers will represent an important contribution to efforts being made by the scientific community and will play a fundamental role in the Barcelona World Race educational activities.
Four projects will be developed:
Today starts in Barcelona the third edition of the Barcelona World Race 2014/15. All of the boats participating in the regatta are taking part in scientific projects with the Institute of marine Science, coordinated by the UNESCO-IOC. The results collected by the skippers will represent an important contribution to efforts being made by the scientific community and will play a fundamental role in the Barcelona World Race educational activities.
Four projects will be developed:
1) The measurement of salinity levels and sea temperature
Involvement: IMOCA 60 One Planet One Ocean, the Institute of Marine Sciences (ICM) and the Fundació Navegació Oceànica Barcelona (FNOB)
This project involves collecting valuable data on sea salinity levels and the temperature of the surface seawater in areas for which little data has been available until now due to their considerable distance from traditional shipping routes. The project to measure salinity levels and the temperature of seawater is headed up by the oceanographer Jordi Salat (ICM), and was started during the previous edition of the regatta 2010-11 with the Fòrum Marítim Català yacht. For this edition of the race One Planet One Ocean will be in charge of collecting this data throughout the entire regatta course.
2) The measurement of the concentration of microplastics in the seawater
Involvement: IMOCA 60 One Planet One Ocean, Institut Químic de Sarrià (IQS), Institute of Marine Sciences (ICM) and the Fundació Navegació Oceànica Barcelona (FNOB)
Microplastics have a very damaging effect on the biological cycles of many species that ingest them and require specialist detection equipment to be identified. The One Planet One Ocean yacht will be specially equipped with a device to measure the levels of microplastics in the water. The equipment is made up of a system of filters and test tubes where samples are collected and particle levels are measured, obtaining data that is then sent via satellite. Headed up by chemist Salvador Borrós, from the IQS, the project will contribute to the important educational aspect of the race in raising environmental awareness.
3) The Citclops project
Involvement: all of the IMOCA 60s taking part in the Barcelona World Race 2014/15, Institute of Marine Sciences (ICM), Barcelona Digital Technology Centre (BDigital) and the Fundació Navegació Oceànica Barcelona (FNOB)
The Citclops (Citizen’s Observatory for Coast and Ocean Optical Monitoring), project of the 7th Framework Programme at the European Commission, is based on optical monitoring of the transparency, colour and fluorescence of the surface of the sea, to determine quality and, above all, the effects on plankton. Cameras fitted to the boats will record data in areas for where they is currently a lack of information. This process involves all of the IMOCA 60s taking part in the Barcelona World Race 2014/15 and is headed up under the direction of engineer and biologist Jaume Piera from the ICM.
4) Argo floats
All boats will also take part of the deployment of Argo floats, in collaboration with JCOMMOPS centre for coordinated observation of the oceans, IOC-UNESCO and the Fundació Navegació Oceànica Barcelona (FNOB). During the regatta, the skippers will be charged with the mission of launching a data-collection float (Argo) into the sea at certain points along the course. The information collected will then be transmitted via satellite and will be analysed by international ocean research networks.
More information about the regatta: www.barcelonaworldrace.org