[Ocean Digital Twin] Part 2: Where Does Ocean Data Come From? — Diversification of Observation and New Trends in 'Data Supply'
In the previous article, we outlined the overall concept of the ocean digital twin. To reproduce the reality of the ocean with data and use it for decision-making, the premise is that the data must first exist. Therefore, in this article, we will look at ocean data sources.
Viewing the Ocean from Space
One of the central sources of ocean data is artificial satellites. NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) in the United States and the Copernicus Marine Service in Europe continuously observe and publish sea surface temperature, wave height, ocean currents, and phytoplankton distribution, which are used daily by researchers and government agencies around the world. In Japan, JAXA's climate change observation satellite 'SHIKISAI' (GCOM-C) is equipped with 19 types of sensors to capture ocean color and water temperature with high precision. The weather satellite 'Himawari' can monitor the spread of volcanic plumes and red tides in real time.
However, transforming satellite data into meaningful information requires specialized analytical techniques, which has been a challenge due to the time and cost involved. A joint research project between JAXA and NTT is attempting to break down this barrier. NTT Space Environment and Energy Laboratories is developing technology that combines satellite data with image analysis AI to efficiently estimate the spread of 'river plumes'—where rivers flow into the ocean—and changes in the area of seaweed beds. River plumes contain nutrients washed out from land, and if their distribution can be grasped, the sphere of influence of human activity can be spatially visualized. This initiative, which lowers the barrier to satellite data analysis so that 'anyone can use it,' is also attracting attention in terms of the democratization of ocean data.
Data from Within the Ocean—Sensors and Field Observations
While satellites provide a wide-area overview, data from within the water is necessary to know what is happening inside the ocean. Various methods are combined, such as buoys that measure water temperature, salinity, and dissolved oxygen; Argo floats (automatic vertical profiling ocean observation instruments); sensors installed on the seafloor; and water sampling by research vessels.
In Japan, the JODC (Japan Oceanographic Data Center) collects and manages domestic and international ocean observation data and provides it to research institutions and government agencies. Such data infrastructure from public institutions is indispensable as a 'compilation of records' for tracking long-term changes.
Regarding seafloor topography, GEBCO (General Bathymetric Chart of the Oceans) is widely used as a global standard open data set. Operated jointly by the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) and the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO (IOC), this program provides free access to datasets covering terrain such as underwater mountain ranges, deep-sea basins, and trenches, and is utilized for evaluating ocean current movements, tsunami risks, and coastal disaster prevention planning. As the world standard for 'seafloor maps,' it is one of the pieces of data that supports the geographical framework of the ocean digital twin.
Information on Living Things Found Just by 'Collecting Water'
Environmental DNA is bringing innovation to the observation of marine ecosystems. Living things leave DNA in the environment through skin, excrement, etc. It is a technology that allows us to investigate what kind of creatures are present simply by collecting and analyzing seawater on the spot.
The organization that has grown this method into a nationwide observation network is ANEMONE (All Nippon eDNA Monitoring Network), operated by Tohoku University. It covers over 1,000 locations nationwide, with over 2,800 species detected. Citizen volunteers participate in the observations, creating a system where even non-experts can contribute to big data on biodiversity just by 'collecting water'.
Similarly, BIOME is a platform that utilizes observation data from citizens. AI identifies photos of living things taken with smartphones, and the data is accumulated. More than 1.3 million users in Japan participate, and data on over 50,000 species is updated daily. Its strength lies in its ability to record the 'appearance of living things seen in the field,' which is difficult to capture with satellites or specialized equipment.
Commercialization of Ocean Data—The Emergence of TCarta
Private companies are beginning to enter the field of ocean data development, which has traditionally been handled by public institutions. A prime example is the American company TCarta. The company utilizes satellite remote sensing to provide Satellite-Derived Bathymetry (SDB) and coastline data as a commercial service, targeting ocean areas around the world, including unmeasured coastal zones. It is attracting attention as an 'ocean data product' capable of supporting a wide range of applications, such as navigation safety, energy infrastructure planning, and environmental assessment.
The rise of such private data businesses opens up the possibility of filling the data gaps in coastal areas where development has been delayed, and indicates a trend of transforming ocean data from a 'public good' into something that 'circulates in the market'.
The Data Is Ready. Now, How Do We Use It?
Satellites, sensors, environmental DNA, citizen science, and private data—the sources of ocean data are rapidly diversifying, and the volume is increasing. However, an ocean digital twin cannot be established just by increasing the amount of data. A system is needed to organize the scattered data into meaningful spatial units and compile it into a form that can be compared and evaluated.
Next time, we will introduce a 'way of dividing space' for that purpose—the concept of the Coastal Framework.
List of articles in this series
Part 1: From 'Measuring' the Ocean to 'Understanding' It—The Gateway to the Ocean Digital Twin
Part 2: Where Does Ocean Data Come From? — Diversification of Observation and New Trends in 'Data Supply' (This Article)
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