GEOMAR

Introduction


GEOMAR is one of 19 Helmholtz Centres in Germany who undertake research in any aspect of science. GEOMAR is one of three marine centres within Helmholtz, mainly working in the open ocean, but in some cases also close to shore. GEOMAR covers a cacophony of aspects in marine research, ranging from physical oceanography, marine meteorology, geology and geophysics, benthic and pelagic biogeochemistry to biology and microbiology. Next to its scientific tasks, GEOMAR operates large scale equipment, among them three AUVs, two ROVs and smaller systems like mobile multibeam systems, a large number of lander-based and seafloor deployable camera systems and many others.

Role in BASTA


GEOMAR coordinates BASTA and is leading two additional work packages of the project (WP4 and WP5). At GEOMAR the project is conducted by the DeepSea Monitoring (DSM) group. Six computer scientists are currently working in the DSM group, who deal with different aspects of data science in the broadest sense, among them the application of artificial intelligence (AI). These capacities are used to develop AI algorithms for the smart processing of data from munitions surveys. GEOMAR furthermore owns two GIRONA 500 AUVs that are continuously developed further, to allow them to independently search for munitions. Finally, GEOMAR coordinates the stakeholder involvement processes with the aim of establishing quality metrics and workflows for technical munitions surveys.

Projects
 

UDEMM (2016 - 2019) Environmental monitoring of conventional munitions

ExPloTect (2019 - 2022) Near-real time assessment of munitions compounds