Picone M., Orasi A., Nardone G.
Sea Surface Temperature monitoring in Italian Seas: analysis of long-term trends and short-term dynamics

The aim of this paper is to give an overview of the various elements that contribute to the observation of Sea Surface Temperature in Italian Seas. Long term time series are collected since the 19th century but are affected by a large systematic errors. Despite the lack of accuracy, their contribution to the analysis of trends is fundamental into the climate change context. On the other hand, recent systematic observations are more accurate and continuous in space and time. Short term time series better define the status of the temperature during the last years in term of variability and dynamics.

M. Ravaioli, C. Bergami, F. Riminucci, S. Aracri, S. Aliani, M. Bastianini, A. Bergamasco, C. Bommarito, M. Borghini, R. Bozzano, F. Brunetti, C. Cantoni, E. Caterini, V. Cardin, C. Cesarini, R. R. Colucci, E. Crisafi, A. Crise, R. D’Adamo, A.G. Di Sarra, C. Fanara, A. Giorgetti, F. Grilli, L. Langone, M. Lipizer, M. Marini, S. Menegon, T. Minuzzo, S. Miserocchi, E. Partescano, E. Paschini, F. Pavesi, P. Penna, S. Pensieri, A. Pugnetti, F. Raicich, A. Sarretta, K. Schroeder, T. Scirocco, A. Specchiulli, G. Stanghellini, A. Vetrano
The Italian Fixed-point Observatory Network for marine environmental monitoring – IFON

The Italian Fixed-point Observatory Network (IFON) integrates well-established ocean infrastructures managed by various national research institutions (CNR, OGS, and ENEA). The implementation of this network was one of the aim of the SP5-WP3 of the Flagship Project RITMARE. In the first four years of the project, the state of art of the 15 operative sites has been completed and 2 more stations are operative from 2015-2016. For each site, the technical characteristics and methods of transmission have been described, and for some sites, several upgrades were accomplished in order to develop, integrate, and consolidate the network. Periodically, oceanographic cruises for the maintenance and implementation of the sites were carried out. After the definition of the minimum requirements, the criteria for the validation of physical and biogeochemical data were determined. They include a selection of existing rules, procedures and recommendations on automatic data Quality Control (QC), and their validation in Near Real Time (NRT). These procedures are intended to unify the validation criteria of the parameters collected daily from the network and to provide the scientific community with a homogeneous and comparable set of data of the Italian seas. Within the WP3, a relocatable observing system for emergencies at sea was implemented. Some new instruments were bought and some others were upgraded. In addition, the IFON was enriched with an air-sea observatory in Lampedusa Island with a new buoy deployed during summer 2015.

Fanelli E., Sbragaglia V., Azzurro E., Marini S., Del Rio J., Toma D., Aguzzi J.
Seasonal changes in coastal fish assemblages by multiparametric video-observatory monitoring

Multiparametric cable video-observatories can offer a great opportunity for the simultaneous monitoring of biotic and abiotic components of an ecosystem, responding to the monitoring strategic needs of the EU Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD). Here, we used images and oceanographic/atmospheric data provided by Northwestern Mediterranean OBSEA cabled observatory as EMSO shallow water (i.e. 20 m depth) testing-site to highlight seasonal variations in coastal fish assemblages and identify the key environmental drivers. Significant variation was observed in fish composition across the seasons of 2014 in response to wind direction, sun azimuth, air temperature, and chlorophyll a (i.e. recorded in situ and by satellite one month before the real observation). Our results highlight the importance and power of multiparametric biological and environmental monitoring on the benthopelagic coupling to rule temporal changes in coastal fish communities.

Sofia Catalucci, Roberto Marsili, Michele Moretti, Gianluca Rossi
Comparison between image analysis techniques for boat shape measurements

The aim of this paper is to define performances and metrological characteristics of simple and economical photomodelling techniques for boat shape measurements, an innovative technique developed recently. Compared with the technique based on a Creaform ScanGo 50 structured light 3D scanner with metrological certification, the investigation wants to verify the potential of this recent technique and to be as reference for photomodelling performance metrological evaluation.

L. Blois, C.A. Blois, M. Caponi, A. Lay-Ekuakille, N.I, Giannoccaro
Advanced Remote Sensing Method for Landslide Modeling and Prediction

The effects of landslide and erosion can be detected and monitored by airborne-based systems, and in particular by satellite using InSAR (interferometry by Synthetic Aperture Radar). The interferogram is applied here as an innovating tool to predict mid and long term effects of landslide and erosion. SAR images are generally found to be contaminated with a special type of highly unordered and chaotic noise pattern termed as speckle noise. When an object is illuminated by a coherent source of radiation and the object has a surface structure that is roughly of the order of the wavelength of the incident radiation, the wave reflected from such a surface consists of contributions from many independent scattering areas. Even though, the research has used them with appropriate sub-techniques improve their efficiency in landslide and erosion detection.