Platforms and sensor technologies deployed in situ to collect environmental data (including physical, chemical and biological observations) in support of aquatic environmental research and management activities. These facilities, including marine/freshwater research centres, provide a base for trans-disciplinary research and training, with access to marine and freshwater field sites, and equipment (including research vessels that may carry large exchangeable underwater equipment/instruments ) for survey and experimental opportunities and often supporting environmental observations and the collection of long-term time series data sets (a.o. on biodiversity). Typical equipment includes: Buoys; Argo; gliders; autonomous underwater vehicles; remotely operated vehicle (Victor); Tide gauges; deep sea laboratories.
Ship-time for stock assessments, polar supply, naval research, and educational courses and nonacademic research are not considered in this context.
NOTE: For this inventory the atmospheric measurement facilities are kept as a separate category. This implies that some marine research centres will also fall under this category if they host an atmospheric measurement site.
