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First Brazil-Canada Joint Workshop on Ocean Science and Technology REPORT
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FIRST BRAZIL-CANADA JOINT WORKSHOP ON OCEAN SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 09-11 May 2012
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The First Brazil-Canada Joint Workshop on Ocean Science and Technology,
organized by the Brazilian Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation and hosted by CENPES, the R&D center of Petrobras, is an activity of the Ocean Science and Technology Working Group (Ocean WG) of the Canada-Brazil Framework Agreement for Cooperation on Science, Technology and Innovation. Its objective was to engage leaders from Government, research and industry sectors in Canada and Brazil to discuss existing technologies and future needs with the goal to establish a roadmap for joint R&D efforts with teams from both countries
The Workshop was organized into three priority themes identified by the Ocean WG: a) Ocean Observing Platforms and Environmental Monitoring; b) Sensor Technologies and Remote Sensing; and c) Modelling, Prediction and Forecasting. A special session on “Polar Research and Technology” was convened because of the opportunities identified for both countries to cooperate.
The Workshop participants identified a series of existing opportunities in both countries to cooperate among existing ocean observation platforms, researchers and students mobility, shared research themes and sensors technological development.
The following recommendations were retained for further consideration by the Oceans Working Group under the bilateral S&T Agreement:
1. The development and installation of a shared web portal to new and existing observing systems data;
2. Data fusion and integration with existing models; 3. To foster the research conducted at major rivers flowing onto continental
shelves and the blue ocean (e.g. the Amazon river plume) through a monitoring system – biogeochemical monitoring and modelling;
4. To study anthropogenic effects of fresh water influx in estuaries and effects of expanding ports - commonalities between Canada-Brazil;
5. To improve detection, model and prediction of oil spills and seeps; 6. To foster research on ocean renewable energy; 7. To search for showcases bringing Canada-Brazil together on key issues (ie
modelling oil spills in ice infested waters); 8. To collaborate in the establishment of best practices (observatory operations
and management, observatory science), training; 9. To foster the development of lowering cost/biodegradable biogeochemical
sensors; 10. To improve forecasting ice in polar regions; 11. To establish collaboration on polar research stations and monitoring systems; 12. To foster research on oceanographic processes under ice and ice edge, as well
as satellite monitoring of ice;
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13. To support those interested in applying for the ISTP call, and, in this sense, it was noted a possible project involving programs held in the Amazon Region;
14. To support applications and utilization of the Science without Borders Program in order to stimulate involvement of students, even into industry. In this sense, the following actions were identified:
a. Elaboration of Summer school programs in the areas of focus, as a mean to exchange students;
b. Preparation of a brochure/communique about the available opportunities in both countries;
c. Produce poster for Brazilian students about ocean sciences in Canada, including the possibility of pursuing career in ocean S&T pitch, to be widely distributed;
d. Ask C-CORU to identify areas for students to engage in Canada; e. Elaborate a reciprocal Program for Canadian students and Faculty; f. Structuring project(s) for students and researchers to engage g. Maintain an active group to facilitate linkages with students
15. To foster joint agreements for R&D funding between Canadian Universities and Brazilian funding agencies
16. To support Expression of Interest identified so far: a. Amazon programs b. Autonomous solar boats and underwater vehicles – integration of
automated control systems c. Establishing coastal observatory in Sao Paulo d. Joint development of observing systems in general e. Targeted bilateral program in ocean sciences seeking long-term secure
funding 17. To widely spread the information produced by the workshop.
Finally, the group called a tentative workshop to happen in Canada, possibly in Victoria, in late 2012 or early 2013.
More detailed information follows.
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FIRST BRAZIL-CANADA JOINT WORKSHOP ON OCEAN SCIENCE
AND TECHNOLOGY
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 09-11 May 2012
REPORT
1 SCOPE
The First Brazil-Canada Joint Workshop on Ocean Science and Technology was held in Rio de Janeiro, from May 09 to 11, organized locally by the Ministry of Science Technology and Innovation, from Brazil, and hosted by CENPES - Centro de Pesquisas e Desenvolvimento Leopoldo A. M. de Mello, the R&D center of Petrobras. The event is an outcome of the bilateral Work Plan from the Ocean Science and Technology Working Group (Ocean WG) of the Canada-Brazil Framework Agreement for Cooperation on Science, Technology and Innovation. Representatives of Government, academia and industry of both countries met in order to discuss existing technologies and future needs with the goal to establish a roadmap for joint R&D efforts. A list of attendance and contact info can be found in Annex I.
The Workshop was divided in three stages: in the first stage, presentations were given as a means to standardize knowledge of existing activities in both countries; the second stage was mainly composed of group discussions on potential bilateral activities and, at last, recommendations were built in the third stage. The adopted structure was organized in three identified priority themes, as follows: a) Ocean Observing Platforms and Environmental Monitoring; b) Sensor Technologies and Remote Sensing; and c) Modelling, Prediction and Forecasting. A special session was convened on the theme “Polar Research and Technology” because of the opportunities identified for both countries to cooperate. The adopted agenda can be found in Annex II.
2 WORKSHOP CONCEPT
Countries around the globe are investing billions of dollars to monitor and expand our knowledge of the vast and virtually unexplored oceans. Oceans affect our everyday lives, controlling global climate, acting as a transportation hub, and providing a rich source of resources for national economies. The oceans have provided seemingly unlimited resources for thousands of years, but now this is changing and mankind is causing significant changes to the oceans and the planet. We need to understand how and why. Improved monitoring of the ocean environment can help countries understand complex coastal ecosystems, secure their maritime borders and provide early warning of marine hazards such as tsunamis. Innovative new technologies have been developed address these issues.
Ocean observing systems represent a portfolio of technologies that provide sustained monitoring of the ocean environment. These technologies include sensor systems, observatory infrastructure, data management and archiving tools, models for prediction and forecasting, and systems for marine spatial planning and marine hazard assessment. Together these systems provide a layering of tools for informed decision making about the complex marine environment. For Canada one priority area is our most rapidly changing region, the Arctic.
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This workshop will engage leaders from research and industry sectors in Canada and Brazil to discuss existing technologies and future needs with the goal to establish a roadmap for joint R&D efforts with teams from both countries.
3 PRESENTATIONS
The event was initiated with an opening ceremony with words given by Dr. Janice Trotte, the Brazilian co-lead of the Ocean WG; by Ms. Jane Rutherford, Canada’s co-lead of the WG; by Dr. Oscar Chamberlain, General Manager from the host institution, CENPES; by Ms. Meena Bhullar, Vice Consul of Canada in Rio and by Capt. Edson Magno, from the Hydrography Centre of the Brazilian Navy.
Representatives from both countries presented an overall scenario of the activities of industry, academia and Government in ocean science and technology. With respect to the thematic sessions, the chair and the rapporteur, one from each country, summarized and presented general aspects of that theme in Brazil and in Canada. All the presentation files are available by demand.
Presenting for Canada:
Industry – Mr. Laurent Bellavance Executive Director of the Technopole Maritime du Quebec
Academia – Dr. Marlon Lewis Professor at the Department of Oceanography at Dalhousie University
Government – Ms. Jane Rutherford Trade Commissioner and Global Practice Lead Ocean Technologies of DFAIT - Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada
Presenting for Brazil:
Industry – Dr. Oscar Chamberlain General Manager of Technology Management of the Centro de Pesquisas e Desenvolvimento Leopoldo A. M. de Mello – CENPES, from Petrobras
Academia – Dr. José Muelbert Professor and Vice-Director of the Institute of Oceanography at the Federal University of Rio Grande
Government – Dr. Janice Trotte General Coordinator for Ocean Affairs and Antarctica of the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation
4 DISCUSSIONS
Discussions were coordinated in the thematic sessions and also within break out groups. Subsequently, the results were organized by the mentioned themes and summarized below.
A. Ocean Observing Platforms and Environmental Monitoring
Chair: José Muelbert Rapporteur: Scott McLean Speakers: José Muelbert (Brazil) and Scott McLean (Canada)
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Ocean observing systems were defined as integrated systems that provide sustained monitoring of the marine environment, providing data for research and informed decision making.
Platforms that form the basis for ocean observing systems include: moored buoys, drifting buoys, cabled observatories, AUVs, ferry boxes, and marine ICT systems.
Discussions: several initiatives from both countries were presented which included, among others, GOOS Brazil; the Pilot Research Moored Array in the Tropical Atlantic (PIRATA); the National Buoy Program (Brazil); GLOSS-Brazil, MOVAR; SAMOC; Ocean Tracking Network, cabled observational systems Neptune and Venus, Arctic Surveillance (bathymetry mapping under ice, environmental monitoring), port monitoring, Saint Lawrence Global Observatory and Project Cornerstone.
It was also highlighted that Brazil has many new initiatives that will focus on real time observing systems. The Sistema de Integrado de Monitoramento Costeiro (SIMCosta), involves a set of multiplatform meteo-ocean coastal observing systems sponsored by the Coastal Zone module of the National Institute of S&T for Climate Change (INCT-MC ZC) and Rede Clima. Its first phase will be composed of 4 platforms distributed in the South-Southeast Brazilian coast and will have the collaboration of the National Institute of S&T Integrated Oceanographic Center (INCT-Mar COI) and the Brazilian Long Term Ecological Research Programa (PELD). INCT-Mar COI will also establish the first OTN clouds of echosounders in southern Brazil. Real time observation systems were discussed, among them, the use of ferry boxes in ferry boats that cover the transportation between Vancouver and Vancouver Island. Petrobras mentioned the recent acquisition and future installation of ferry boxes in the vessels that attend the oil platforms in the Campos Basin region. There was a quick presentation about the National Institute of S&T of the Northern Brazil, INCT em Ambientes Marinhos Tropicais (INCT in Tropical Marine Environments), for this Institute aims to maintain a network for observations in the Tropical Atlantic including ocean-atmosphere interaction, climate variability and predictability, biogeochemical cycles, CO2 fluxes, acidification and influences in the living resources.
Discussions on research mobility and student interchange were held in which both countries could benefit from. The issue of using the data for transportation purposes was brought to light as Canada uses these real time data to support transportation in the Arctic. Another issue discussed was blue biotechnology as a future target of cooperation and a cross cutting theme, welcomed by all, since Canada and Brazil lack a strong institution that would link industry and academia. Finally, the subject of river basins and ocean linkages was discussed and a project between INPE and U.Victoria was mentioned for the plume of the Amazon River.
B. Sensor Technologies and Remote Sensing
Chair: Marlon Lewis Rapporteur: Rubens Lopes
Discussions: Canada and Brazil share the need to develop new technologies to address scientific questions and in concert, the desire to commercially exploit new sensors which will foster industries in both countries. It was pointed that Brazil seeks to improve its capabilities in building buoys and sensors, including innovative solutions that the market would incorporate.
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The linkage with the sensor development technology and science needs was stressed. In this sense, a collaborative work between academia and industry should be fostered, especially in relation to measuring ocean parameters necessary for advising decision making. The examples of the Brazilian Atlas-B and the FINEP-Coppe-Ambidados & Holos buoys were pointed as an initiative in finding solutions for scientific questions.
C. Modelling, Prediction and Forecasting
Chair: Paulo Nobre Rapporteur: Katja Fennel
Discussions: coupled models were described that are in use in both countries integrating ocean, ice, atmosphere, and land surface for climate research and operational support. The use of those models for prediction and forecasting extreme events was also noted together with the need for stronger networks of observational and forecast systems.
Several initiatives for both countries were pointed out. For Canada, the following systems were presented: operational forecasts of the coastal ocean, e.g., surges, currents (Dalhousie), coupled ocean-atmosphere modeling (GOAPP Network), Earth system modeling and climate change projections (Uvic, Environment Canada, UQAM), short-term predictions and long-term projections of marine risks (MEOPAR), projections of extreme events in the marine environment (LRET Network) and regional ecosystem modeling (OTN Canada Network, MEOPAR).
The Brazilian Network for Global Climate Research was discussed, which includes, among others mentioned above: Rede Clima, PIRATA and the Extreme Events Monitoring and Alert Center. The LRET Network based in Canada has an existing node in Brazil. It was noted that Brazil urges to develop its own prediction models to generate future environmental change scenarios that could also benefit from and integrate with multiple large national research programs, like LBA, PRODES, GEOMA, etc. For that, INPE’s experience was noted as a mean to develop a global climate system model because of the opportunity to take CPTEC’s Global Coupled Ocean-Atmosphere Model as the structuring building-block and use the GFDL/FMS coupler to add components such as: dynamic vegetation with carbon cycle; ocean carbon cycle; enhanced sea ice and pack ice; GHG and aerosols; atmospheric chemistry, etc.
Capacity building was discussed as a gap in both countries in order to form a new generation of land surface, ocean, atmosphere, chemistry, ie, climate modelers. Also, the need to improve the models resolution and the use of super computers was brought to discussion.
Finally, the suggested areas of focus could be ES Model development; river discharge effects on ocean biology & circulation; cryosphere modelling; Ultra-Very Large Data Mining; petabyte scale model output; petabyte scale satellite data and distributed ocean station data sets.
Funding Mechanisms
A short discussion table was held during the event to discuss the available funding mechanisms in Brazil. Representatives of FINEP (Studies and Projects Financing Agency) and CNPq (National Council on Scientific and Technological Development) talked about how both institutions support research in Brazil. The
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Science Without Borders Program was discussed and questions about its implementations system were answered. Finally, the recently launched call for proposals by ISTP was briefly discussed in plenary.
Polar Research and Technology (special session)
Chair: Les O’Reilly Rapporteur: Mauricio Mata Speakers: Jefferson Simões (Brazil) and Kim Juniper (Canada)
Opening remarks:
The Chair pointed that discussions that took place at the recent IPY meeting in Montreal showed how critical is to pay close attention to polar regions and suggested that this session should concentrate on identifying possible intersections between Canadian interests, mainly in the Arctic, and Brazilian research in Antarctica.
Jefferson C. Simões:
The Polar Regions, although far apart, share similarities in terms of science and technology. These regions are also linked through their importance to the climate system. In this sense, Brazil has made efforts over the last 30 years in several areas of Antarctic research through the Brazilian Antarctic Program (PROANTAR). Since the beginning, PROANTAR has been essentially a maritime program, taking advantage of two navy vessels, but has also operated the Brazilian Antarctic Station Comandante Ferraz, located on King George Island. PROANTAR currently has 30 projects and two associated National Institutes (INCTs): The National Institute for Science and Technology of the Cryosphere (INCT-Criosfera) and the National Institute for Science and Technology of the Antarctic Environment (INCT-APA). Lately, PROANTAR has also moved to develop research in the interior of the Antarctic continent, with an expedition that took place last Antarctic summer to set up a research module under the auspices of INCT-Criosfera: the Criosfera-1. Moreover, the Brazilian response to the call of the last International Polar Year was substantial and, during that period, the community received significant financial resources, which allowed PROANTAR activities to be taken to a higher level.
Unfortunate, there was an accident last austral summer, when a fire destroyed most of the Ferraz Station. Initially this was a setback to program, but now the Brazilian government has committed to building a new station and the scientific community is confidently looking forward to new developments.
The speaker elaborated on how the Brazilian community would/could interact with Arctic activities. Remote sensing of the cryosphere, sea-ice studies, environmental monitoring, polar teleconnections, ice-ocean interactions and geological evolution are fields that could gain from a bi-lateral collaboration. Joint work on the development of climate models could be another potential field of collaboration. On this topic, from the southern hemisphere point of view, some cold fronts generated near the Antarctic continent may influence the weather as far as the Amazon.
Finally, the speaker suggested that polar logistics and education should be included in any joint effort for collaboration.
Kim Juniper:
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The speaker presented the main activities of marine research in Canada’s Arctic. The presentation focused on ArcticNET, one of 14 Networks of Centres of Excellence (NCE) jointly funded by the 3 Research Councils of Canada and the Industry. ArcticNET had its first cycle from 2004 to 2011, and was recently renewed for a second cycle from 2011 to 2018. ArcticNET brings together scientists and managers in the natural, human health and social sciences with their partners from Inuit organizations, northern communities, federal and provincial agencies and the private sector. The main focus is to study the impacts of climate change and modernisation in the coastal Canadian Arctic. The strength of ArcticNET is in the network itself. It consists of 35 research projects in natural, human health and social sciences; 140 Network Investigators from 30 universities and 20 departments/agencies in Canada; more than 550 graduate students, research associates and technicians; and over 150 partner organisations from 14 countries. From the maritime point of view, the ArcticNET has built more than 10 years of expertise on the R/V Amundsen and thus has world-class field expertise on polar oceanography, glaciology, geophysics, marine pollution and ecology among others. Moreover, the speaker highlighted the ArcticNET/Canadian experience on under ice moorings and acoustic technology (to aid fish stock assessments, cetacean ecology and bathymetric studies). Still on ocean technology, ArcticNET has been using an ROV to visually investigate the ocean bottom at some research sites. Considered of utmost importance, ArcticNet meta-data are catalogued in the PolarDATA database through which they are readily accessible to the global research community.
The speaker also reported on the recent interests of the O&G industry in Beaufort Sea and how this sector has partnered with ArcticNET to develop projects focusing on observations of the areas of interest for hydrocarbon exploration in the Beaufort Sea. The O&G industry injected around CAD$25M into the project. These initiatives contributed to funding research personnel salaries, expedition costs, science equipment, etc. Among other lessons learned from this collaboration, the ArcticNet and its academic researchers were placed in the middle of a very active national debate about Arctic O & G development. ArcticNet environmental marine research in the Beaufort Sea and Canadian Arctic Archipelago will continue until at least 2018.
The speaker reported other programs in the Canadian Arctic line TAKUVIK, which is a Canada-France program to investigate Arctic Ecosystems and Geosystems, focusing on past, present and future changes related to climate variability and anthropogenic pressure. One of the main upcoming projects under the TAKUVIK umbrella is an investigation the dynamics of ice-edge blooms and their role in arctic biogeochemical fluxes and marine ecosystems. With the decreasing extension of permanent Arctic sea-ice, the research community expects that the dynamics of ice-edge blooms to change significantly thus affecting the polar ecosystem as a whole.
Finally, and of utmost importance to the present workshop, the speaker reported the Canadian preparations to build a new High Arctic Research Station in Cambridge Bay, which is currently in the design phase and should begin operations in 2017. He also described a mini-cabled underwater observatory to be installed in Cambridge Bay in 2012 or 2013 by Ocean Networks Canada, which operates a cabled observatory off the west coast of Vancouver Island.
Plenary discussion:
The Chair asked the rapporteur to consider possible missing themes. It was pointed out that a group of experts had been recently formed to think about and develop a new Southern Ocean Observing System, the SOOS (www.soos.aq). The rapporteur explained that the group was formed in 2011 with support from SCAR (the
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Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research) and SCOR (the Scientific Committee on Oceanic Research) with the main objective of promoting a sustained system for observations of the Southern Ocean. The first meeting of the SOOS Scientific Steering Committee was held in Salt Lake City, in February 2012 and, among other actions, it was decided that SOOS would coordinate a workshop on under ice measurements and technology, to be held in Hobart, Australia, later in 2012.
The discussion continued with the speakers and the audience focusing in exploring possible areas of collaboration between Brazil and Canada on the subject. Several ideas were raised ranging from education to measurements under sea ice. Jefferson suggested that investigation of sea ice variability in the Arctic and in the Southern Ocean could be a broad range theme that could serve for education, and for the development of climate models and political/economical aspects such as O&G research and exploration. This was well received by the audience, who added that Canada has advanced AUV technology with very long-range capacity under sea ice. Furthermore, this and other Canadian technologies can also measure key variables like sea ice thickness.
Another important point was raised during the discussions, which was related to Polar Research Stations. Both countries are building major polar stations at the same time, providing a definite potential point of collaboration, which could be extended to the equipping these stations and sharing equipment capabilities. Moreover, such collaboration could also be extended to equipping and sharing equipment on Polar Vessels.
The discussion continued with important questions coming from the audience, such as how will the community sustain a funds inflow to polar research. Jefferson answered saying that in Brazilian researchers needed to find ways to maintain National Sci&Tech Institutes currently funded by the federal government and Kim added that in Canada, ArcticNET is funded by both the government and the O&G industry. Janice argued that ocean observing systems and Antarctic observing systems are much alike when operating for long periods. In Brazil, we are trying to build consistency and an appropriate level of funding. However, we see now a downtrend in funding for Antarctic projects and the MCTI and academia are trying to reverse this trend by convincing politicians to raise the fund level. At the moment considerable resources are flowing to clean up the Ferraz Station site after the fire, and to rebuild the station. Leslie said that long term funding was also an issue in Canada, as the community is pushing to keep the Arctic and ocean agendas alive. Erli pointed out that potential areas for further collaboration in polar research are: marine biology, ecology and biodiversity, pollution and contamination of polar areas, and animal migration patterns, together with the exchange students and early career scientists. In this topic Jane added that APECS (Association of Polar Early Career Scientists) is a wonderful organization, very active in both countries, and certainly is a great focus for fostering collaboration.
5 OUTCOMES After the discussion sessions, groups were broken out so participants would
interact and build results from the previous plenary discussions by answering a questionnaire proposed by the organizers. This document can be found in Annex III. These results are here presented by each discussed theme.
A. Ocean Observing Platforms and Environmental Monitoring
Research Projects INCT – SimCosta (Sao Paulo to Rio Grande)
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USP/INPE – change buoys for PIRATA (Ambidados/Holos) – Atlas B, Poly buoy
LTER International – estuaries INCT AmbiTrop – northeast ecosystem monitoring SAMOC – climate change (South Atlantic) PIRATA – large scale ocean monitoring Brazil/Canada/Mexico/Argentina – Ecosystem comparison project (TMQ) PNBOIA – interest in long term archival (Navy) Guanabara Bay – COPPE buoys (Navy) MEOPAR – modeling prediction VENUS/NEPTUNE Canada – multi theme OTN – marine species tracking
Thematic areas: Societal needs Science needs Capacity building Infrastructure, people (education, training technical support, operations) Monitoring Needs: Climate change Anthropogenic impacts Long, short term monitoring programs needed – establish baselines Water quality Biodiversity Ecosystem based management
Project ideas: Polar monitoring system - both countries developing research stations - small scale systems like Cambridge Bay - longer term Marine Protected Areas (plans being implemented) - longer term – would have to involve Ministry of Environ Port/Coastal monitoring program - water quality - waves/currents - Santos, Itajaí, Rio Grande, Paranaguá Rio Grande region - anthropgenic effects of port, fresh water flow - similarity to work on VENUS in Strait of Georgia - currently have ADCP in port - combine science with port monitoring Santa Catarina - aquaculture, water quality monitoring port São Sebastião - small scale concept for biodiversity - offshore tanker traffic to main pipeline General data management issues - long term archiving and data access (existing systems) Offshore monitoring needs for oil and gas industry?
Project idea:
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Integrated monitoring program – network of assets (high priority) – Rio Grande do Sul, Santa Catarina, Parana, Sao Paulo OTN line Rio Grande (Dal connection) SimCosta (INCT project) – current funding (four states) Moorings supported with traditional ship based monitoring Sao Sebastiao biodiversity observatory (USP/CEBIMAR) Marine ecosystem monitoring Integration with geo-location of fish catches Opportunities for students Collaboration UVic/SLGO – data management/archiving – multi site GIS web portal Eventually add in port monitoring (Santos, Itajaí, Rio Grande, Paranaguá)
B. Sensor Technologies and Remote Sensing
There is a wealth of environmental sensors currently available for use in a variety of platforms, from long-term deep-water moorings to gliders and floats. Key processes including ocean circulation, heat transfer and hydrodynamic shear are now measured with existing instrumentation. In addition to lowering the price of the sensors above, a major challenge in marine sensor technology for the next 10-15 years is to measure biological and biogeochemical parameters in the ocean remotely, in real time, and with sufficient spatial and temporal resolution to resolve the most relevant scales and processes. Next-generation marine sensors must be able to provide continuous biogeochemical data as part of early-warning systems. A significant step forward is to increase our ability to sense, detect, identify and quantify organisms, their habitats, activities, and their chemical and physical environment remotely. This will demand a large effort in sensor development and in building-up novel solutions, for example, in image analysis and acoustic data processing. Novel biological and chemical sensors (including those for hydrocarbons, metals, particulates etc.) must be envisaged in a concerted approach with sensors for physical features and processes. Data integration and analysis is a parallel challenge. We need to move beyond measurements, and develop innovative ways to analyze and store large datasets, integrate measurements from different sensors and different platforms, and make data freely available online. Finally, sensors and their maintenance should be financially and technically accessible to a large user community, including that from developing countries.
Science questions must drive sensor technology research and development, but the advent of commercial opportunities is often a natural part of the process. Canada has a solid experience in marine science and technology, and Brazil is emerging as a major player in the field. An obvious motivation for an increasing demand for marine sensors in Brazil is the rapidly growing oil and gas industry, which has brought opportunities for sensor applications in several steps of the exploration, production and distribution chain. However, Brazil and Canada face challenges in many other sectors such as coastal management, climate prediction and response to extreme events, maritime transport and security, and marine fisheries and aquaculture, all of them being potential beneficiaries of sensor technologies applied to environmental characterization and monitoring. A major driver for sensors and monitoring for the future is climate change, and this leads to the requirement of measuring small changes over long periods of time. This includes temperature, sea level, species evolution and populations etc. To do this affordably requires the ability to measure many parameters in many areas at relatively low cost per sensor, but without compromising standardization and sensor stability. This means both low cost sensors and low cost means of deployment and operation.
Potential collaborative research projects:
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• Network of synergistic sensors to study the Amazon river basin outflow and its influence on coastal and oceanic systems
• Coastal and offshore 3-D observatories with consistent measurement suites for ocean management, biodiversity conservation, climate prediction and response to extreme events, maritime transport and security, and marine fisheries and aquaculture
• Accurate assessment and characterization of environmental events such as oil spill thickness and volume, coastal erosion, sewage dispersion, spread of invasive species, etc.
• Seafloor habitat mapping for environmental and geotechnical assessment and monitoring using new approaches for data acquisition and integration
Opportunities:
Target bilateral program in ocean sciences with long-term secured funding: Technical workshops Student exchanges Scientist exchanges Industrial internships
C. Modelling, Prediction and Forecasting
Key opportunities and challenges:
Expanding observational capabilities Emerging observing systems Rapid change Expanding use New management needs, e.g. accounting of carbon sources and sinks
Drivers for research and development:
Same as mentioned above Need for products for decision making (commercial opportunities here?) Note: Academic researchers make results freely available, model codes are
open source
Projects focused on products:
Marine extremes LRET, MEOPAR, CEMADEN, UFPE, CENPES
Operational modelling DHN, INPE, EC, DFO
Renewable energy Bay of Fundy pilot project, UFRJ, CENPES, INPE
Research and model development:
Concrete opportunities: Earth System Modelling (cryosphere, biogeochemistry, tides) CCCma (Uvic, EC), INPE, USP, UFV, UFSM Regional modelling, specifically dynamics of Amazon River plume (funded INCT project) (biogeochemistry, CO2 fluxes, data assimilation, remote sensing, observing system) Dalhousie, Uvic, UFPE, UFPA, UFC, UFRJ, USP, INPE, UFBA, DHN, others?
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Student and researcher exchanges (two-way exchange, summer schools, “Science w/o Borders”)
Long-term opportunities: Earth System Modelling (data assimilation, atmospheric chemistry, climate change scenarios) Regional modelling (ultra-high resolution models, two-way nesting, adaptive grids) Data assimilation Graduate programs Brazil-Canada ocean database
Polar Research and Technology (special session)
Conclusions and recommendations:
1) Both countries are building major polar stations at the same time. That is definitely a potential point of collaboration, which could be extended to the equipping these stations, sharing equipment capabilities and developing similar long-term marine observation programs.
2) Investigation of sea ice variability in the Arctic and in the Southern Ocean is a broad range and cross cutting theme as it serves to education, development of climate models and political/economical aspects like O&G research and exploration. Moreover, it has a strong technological appeal, as several cutting edge technologies are currently being developed to observe the ocean under ice (AUVs, under ice ARGO, gliders). That should definitely be a point of collaboration.
3) Education, student exchange, early career polar scientist support and exchanges should be on the collaborative agenda between the two countries. Currently, this is particularly appropriate as Brazil is undertaking large efforts with its “Science without Borders” program.
6 RECOMMENDATIONS
The participants of the First Brazil-Canada Joint Workshop on Ocean Science and Technology recommend further exploration of the following bilateral initiatives:
1. The development and installation of a shared web portal to new and existing
observing systems data
2. Data fusion and integration with existing models
3. To foster the research conducted at the Amazon Plume (ie major rivers flowing
onto continental shelves) through a monitoring system – biogeochemical
monitoring and modelling
4. To study anthropogenic effects of fresh water influx in estuaries and effects of
expanding ports - commonalities between Canada-Brazil
5. To improve detection, model and prediction of oil spills and seeps
6. To foster research on ocean renewable energy
7. To search for showcases bringing Canada-Brazil together on key issues (ie
modelling oil spills in ice infested waters)
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8. To collaborate in the establishment of best practices (observatory operations
and management, observatory science), training
9. To foster the development of lowering cost/biodegradable biogeochemical
sensors
10. To improve forecasting ice in polar regions
11. To establish collaboration on polar research stations and monitoring systems
12. To foster research on oceanographic processes under ice and ice edge, as well
as satellite monitoring of ice.
13. To support those interested in applying for the ISTP call, and, in this sense, it
was noted a possible project involving programs held in the Amazon Region
14. To support applications and utilization of the Science without Borders Program
in order to stimulate involvement of students, even into industry. In this sense,
the following actions were identified:
a. Elaboration of Summer school programs in the areas of focus, as a
mean to exchange students;
b. Preparation of a brochure/communique about the available opportunities
in both countries;
c. Produce poster for Brazilian students about ocean sciences in Canada,
including to possibility of pursuing career in ocean S&T pitch, to be
widely distributed;
d. Ask C-CORU to identify areas for students to engage in Canada;
e. Elaborate a reciprocal Program for Canadian students and Faculty;
f. Structuring project(s) for students and researchers to engage
g. Maintain an active group to facilitate linkages with students
15. To foster joint agreements for R&D funding between Canadian Universities and
Brazilian funding agencies
16. To support Expression of Interest identified so far:
h. Amazon programs
i. Autonomous solar boats and underwater vehicles – integration of
automated control systems
j. Establishing coastal observatory in Sao Paulo
k. Joint development of observing systems in general
l. Targeted bilateral program in ocean sciences seeking long-term secure
funding
17. To widely spread the information produced by the workshop.
Finally, the group called a tentative workshop to happen in Canada, possibly in
Victoria, in late 2012 or early 2013. Another opportunity for a bilateral meeting is to
plan something around the SCOR meeting scheduled for 21-23 Oct 2012 in which
Brazil will participate and Canada (Halifax) will host.
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ANNEX I
List of Participants
CANADA
BRAZIL
Jane Rutherford [email protected]
Trade Commissioner
and Global Practice
Lead Ocean
Technologies
DFAIT - Department of Foreign
Affairs and International Trade
Katja Fennel [email protected] Professor Dalhousie University,
Department of Oceanography
Kim Juniper [email protected] Assoc Director ScienceOcean Networks Canada,
NEPTUNE Canada
Laurent Bellavance [email protected] Executive DirectorTechnopole Maritime du
Quebec
Les O'Reilly [email protected] Executive Director Oceans Advance Incorporated
Manpreet Bhullar [email protected]
Vice-Consul & Trade
Commissioner |
Consulate General of
Canada in Rio de
Janeiro
DFAIT - Department of Foreign
Affairs and International Trade
Marlon Ray Lewis [email protected] Professor Dalhousie University,
Department of Oceanography
Maycira Costa [email protected] Professor University of Victoria,
Department of Geography
Paul Stanley Yeatman [email protected] Vice President Geospectrum Technologies
Scott Donald McLean [email protected] Director
Ocean Networks Canada,
Centre for Enterprise and
Engagement
Name Email Position Organization
Adriano Roessler Viana [email protected] CENPES/Petrobras
Coordenador do Programa
Tecnológico de Fronteiras
Exploratórias
Petroleo Brasileiro (Petrobras)
Alexandre Cabral [email protected]
Oceanography and
Environment Business
Manager
Fugro Brasil - Serviços
Submarinos e Levantamentos Ltda.
Andre Cabral de Souza [email protected]
Head of the Dept on
Technical
Implementation, Analisys
and Evaluation - Hard
Sciences
Financiadora de Estudos e
Projetos - FINEP
Andrei Polejack [email protected] Technical advisor
Coordination for Ocean Affairs
and Antarctic
Ministry of Science Technology
and Innovation
Cassiano D'Almeida [email protected] for
Multilateral CooperationCNPq
Celso Alleluia Mauro [email protected] CENPES/Petrobras Petroleo Brasileiro (Petrobras)
Cesar Reinert Morais [email protected] memberBrazilian Navy Hydrography
Center
Cristina Bentz [email protected]
Geophysics, senior
consultant - ocean
environmental
monitoring
CENPES/Petrobras
Edson Magno [email protected] DirectorBrazilian Navy Hydrography
Center
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Erli Schneider Costa [email protected] APECS Representative APECS Brazil
Fábio Nascimento [email protected] Engineer researcher COPPE/UFRJ
Janice Trotte-Duha [email protected] WG
Coordinator
Coordination for Ocean Affairs
and Antarctic
Ministry of Science Technology
and Innovation
Jefferson Cardia Simões [email protected]
SCAR Representative
Universidade Federal do Rio
Grande do Sul, Centro Polar e
Climático - UFRGS
João Antonio M. Lima [email protected] CENPES/Petrobras Petroleo Brasileiro (Petrobras)
Jose Henrique Muelbert [email protected] Director
Institute of Oceanography
Federal University of Rio Grande
(FURG)
Lorenzo Souza [email protected] Director HOLOS Brasil Serviço Naval Ltda.
Luiz Alexandre de A. Guerra [email protected] CENPES/Petrobras Petroleo Brasileiro (Petrobras)
Maria Cordélia Soares
[email protected] Technical advisor
Directory for Foreign Affairs
Ministry of Science Technology
and Innovation
Maria Inês Freitas dos
[email protected] President AOCEANO
Maurício da Rocha Fragoso [email protected] Director Prooceano
Maurício Mata [email protected]
SOOS Representative
Federal University of Rio Grande
(FURG)
Moacyr Cunha de Araújo
[email protected] Professor
Federal University of Pernambuco -
UFPE
Oscar Rene Chamberlain
General Manager of
Technology ManagementCENPES/Petrobras
Paulo Nobre [email protected] ResearcherNational Institute for Space
Research - INPE
Rogerio Carvalho [email protected] FUGRO
Gerente de Comercial Senior
Fugro Brasil - Serviços
Submarinos e Levantamentos Ltda.
Rubens Mendes Lopes [email protected] Professor São Paulo State University - USP
Segen Estefen [email protected] of Technology
and Innovation COPPE/UFRJ
Sonia Lucia Santon
[email protected] member
Brazilian Navy Hydrography
Center
Wilsa Atella [email protected] Director Ambidados
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ANNEX II
Adopted Agenda
First Day – Wednesday 09 May Co-Chair: Janice Trotte-Duha Co-Chair:Jane Rutherford 14h00 OPENING CEREMONY
14h00 – 15h00 Opening remarks, setting up of objectives
Speakers: Dr. Janice Trotte, the Brazilian co-lead of the Ocean WG; Mrs. Jane Rutherford, Canada’s co-lead of the WG; Dr. Oscar Chamberlain, General Manager from the host institution, CENPES; Mrs. Meena Bhullar, Vice Consul of Canada in Rio and Capt. Edson Magno, from the Hydrography Centre of the Brazilian Navy
15h00 – 16h00 Presentations from industry, academia, Government – Canada (20 min each)
Canadian Industry – speaker: Laurent Bellavance Canadian Academia – speaker: Marlon Lewis Canadian Government – speaker: Jane Rutherford
16h00 – 17h00 Presentations from industry, academia, Government – Brazil (20
min each)
Brazilian Industry – speaker: Oscar Chamberlain Brazilian Academia – speaker: José Muelbert
Brazilian Government – speaker: Janice Trotte-Duhá
17h00 – 18h00 Icebreaker cocktail
Free Evening
Second Day – Thursday 10 May 09h00 – 10h30 Session: Polar Research and Technology (20 min each)
Speakers: Jefferson Simões and Kim Juniper Chair: Les O’Reilly Rapporteur: Mauricio Mata
10h30 – 10h45 Coffee break
10h45 – 12h15 Session: Ocean Observing Platforms and Environmental Monitoring
Chair: José Muelbert Rapporteur: Scott McLean
12h15 – 13h15 Lunch 13h15-14h45 Session: Sensor Technologies and Remote Sensing
Chair: Marlon Lewis
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Rapporteur: Rubens Lopes
14h45 – 16h15 Session: Modeling, Prediction and Forecasting Chair: Paulo Nobre Rapporteur: Katja Fennel
16h15 – 16h25 Instructions for breakout sessions and plans for the following day
16h25 – 16h40 Coffee break
16h40 – 18h00 Three breakout sessions (one for each thematic area) to prioritize results from plenary discussions
Dinner at Canadian Consul General’s Residence in Leblon.
Third Day – Friday 11 May 09h00 – 10h00 Three breakout sessions continue (one for each thematic area)
to review results from the day before and prepare summary reports, including priority actions and respective timelines
10h00 – 10h15 Coffee break
10h15 – 11h00 Presentations by the Rapporteurs for each of the three thematic areas
CoChairs: Jane Rutherford and Janice Trotte Duha Rapporteur: Scott McLean
11h15-12h30 Working session to: 1) identify cross-cutting opportunities and potential activities; 2) Focused objectives for next steps; 3) Action items and Canada/Brazil leads on these items; and 4) preparation of expressions of interest under the active call from the Canada-Brazil Bilateral R&D Agreement
12h30 Lunch
13h30 – 15h00 Working session continues to: 1) identify cross-cutting opportunities and potential activities; 2) Focused objectives for next steps; 3) Action items and Canada/Brazil leads on these items; and 4) preparation of expressions of interest under the active call from the Canada-Brazil Bilateral R&D Agreement
15h00 – 15h45 Coffee break (co-chairs and rapporteur review notes and prepare a summary report)
15h45 – 17h30 Presentation of Summary Report Adoption of Report and Recommendations Discussion on timetable of events for 2012-2013
17h30 – 18h00 Closure Working dinner (by adhesion)
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ANNEX III
Break Out Groups’ Questionnaire
Thematic Area Sessions
First Brazil-Canada Workshop on Ocean Science and Technology
Thursday May 10th 2012
Context Countries around the globe are investing billions of dollars to monitor and expand our
knowledge of the vast and virtually unexplored oceans. Oceans affect our everyday
lives, controlling global climate, acting as a transportation hub, and providing a rich
source of resources for national economies. The oceans have provided seemingly
unlimited resources for thousands of years, but now this is changing and mankind is
causing significant changes to the oceans and the planet. We need to understand how
and why. Improved monitoring of the ocean environment can help countries understand
complex coastal ecosystems, secure their maritime borders and provide early warning of
marine hazards such as tsunamis. Innovative new technologies have been developed
addressing these issues.
Ocean observing systems represent a portfolio of technologies that provide sustained
monitoring of the ocean environment. These technologies include sensor systems,
observatory infrastructure, data management and archiving tools, models for prediction
and forecasting, and systems for marine spatial planning and marine hazard assessment.
Together, these systems provide a layering of tools for informed decision making about
the complex marine environment. For Canada one priority area is our most rapidly
changing region, the Arctic. For Brazil, the polar influence to the global climate and
connections to the Americas is an area of interest.
Canada and Brazil are large maritime nations with long coastlines, robust marine
economies and significant amounts of industrial activity offshore. Both countries also
have abundant natural resources including major assets in jurisdictional waters. Brazil
and Canada share a need to balance management of marine resources with marine
industrial activity at times of a changing and unpredictable marine environment, due to
global warming. With networks in both countries composed by academia, research
institutions, industry and Government, as well as a strong cadre of advanced marine
technology companies, there is a strong foundation for an enhanced level of research
and development collaboration.
Goal and Objectives In each of three thematic areas, research, industry and Government representatives from
Brazil and Canada are invited to discuss existing technologies and future needs with the
goal to establish a roadmap for joint R&D efforts. These sessions are intended to be
preliminary in nature. Following the workshop, Canadian and Brazilian participants can
share results with colleagues in industry and academia in their respective countries in
order to broaden potential participation and to foster collaborative R&D ocean science
and technology program.
Thematic Areas and Session Leads:
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1) Ocean Observing Platforms and Environmental Monitoring
Chair: José Muelbert Rapporteur: Scott McLean
2) Sensor Technologies and Remote Sensing
Chair: Marlon Lewis Rapporteur: Rubens Lopes
3) Modelling, Prediction and Forecasting
Chair: Paulo Nobre Rapporteur : Katja Fennel
Role of Session Chairs and Rapporteurs: Chair
Make brief opening remarks relating to R&D expertise in the thematic area in
your country (Canada or Brazil)
Facilitate the discussion ensuring that all questions are covered during the
available time during two sessions – one session in plenary for the introduction
and questions 1 to 4, and a second session in a break out group for question 5
Invite broad participation and an opportunity for all who wish to contribute ideas
Along with the rapporteur and a small group of volunteers, synthesize and
summarize workshop results for presentation on Friday May 11th
Rapporteur
Make brief opening remarks relating to R&D expertise in the thematic area in
your country (Canada or Brazil)
Take notes to create a record of information and ideas shared during two
sessions - one session in plenary for the introduction and questions 1 to 4, and a
second session in a break out group for question 5
Along with the chair and a small group of volunteers, synthesize and summarize
workshop results for presentation on Friday May 11th
Present workshop results in plenary on Friday May 11th Thematic Area Session Agenda– Part 1 (conducted in plenary)
Time available: 90 minutes
Theme Introduction
- 5 to 10 minute general overview from the Chair and the Rapporteur on the
thematic area e.g. strengths, major research programs, principal institutions,
etc. Question 1 What are the key opportunities and challenges in this thematic area which lead to innovative research and development projects and technological solutions?
Question 2 What are the drivers for research, development and technological solutions in this thematic area? Is there sufficient commercial opportunity to pursue those solutions?
Question 3 Within this thematic area, identify and name those research projects that would lend themselves to collaborative research between Brazil and Canada.
Question 4 Within this thematic area, what would be other opportunities that could be leveraged and would strengthen our bilateral agreement? (e.g graduate student exchanges, best practices in industry/research paradigms, etc)
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Thematic Area Session Agenda – Part 2 (conducted in break out groups according
to participant interest)
Time available: 45 minutes Question 5 For the research projects identified in Question 3:
a) Prioritize those projects in terms of collaborative capabilities/competencies, opportunities and possible funding mechanisms; and
b) Propose a time frame to move ahead with each project.
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ANNEX IV
Glossary of Acronyms Used
APECS – Association of Polar Early Career Scientists
CCCma –
CCORU –
CEBIMAR – Centro de Biologia Marinha da Universidade de São Paulo
CEMADEN – Centro Nacional de Monitoramento e Alertas de Desastres Naturais
CPTEC – Centro de Previsão de Tempo e Estudos Climáticos
DHN – Diretoria de Hidrografia e Navegação
ES Model -
GEOMA - Pesquisas de Desenvolvimento de Métodos, Modelos e Geoinformação para
Gestão Ambiental
GFDL/FMS – Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory - Flexible Modeling System
GHG – Greenhouse Gas
GLOSS – Global Sea Level Observing System
GOAPP – Global Ocean-Atmosphere Prediction and Predictability Network
GOOS – Global Ocean Observing System
INCT – Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia
INPE – Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas Espaciais
ISTP - International Science and Technology Partnerships
LBA – Programa de Grande Escala da Biosfera-Atmosfera na Amazônia
UFBA – Universidade Federal da Bahia
UFSM – Universidade Federal de Santa Maria
UFV – Universidade Federal de Viçosa
LRET - Large-scale Renewable Energy Target
LTER - Long Term Ecological Research
MEOPAR - Marine Environmental, Observation, Prediction and Response Network
MOVAR - Monitoramento da Variabilidade Regional do transporte de calor na camada
superficial do oceano Atlântico Sul entre o Rio de Janeiro (RJ) e a Ilha de
Trindade (ES)
OTN – Ocean Tracking Netowork
PIRATA - Prediction and Research Moored Array in the Tropical Atlantic
PNBOIA – Programa Nacional de Boias
PROANTAR – Programa Antártico Brasileiro
PRODES - Projeto de Monitoramento do Desflorestamento na Amazônia Legal
ROV – Remotely Operated Vehicle
SAMOC - South Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation
SCAR – Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research
SCOR – Scientific Committee on Oceanic Research
SLGO - St. Lawrence Global Observatory
SOOS – South Ocean Observing System
UFPE – Universidade Federal de Pernambuco
UFRJ – Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro
UQAM – Université de Quebec a Montreal
USP – Universidade de São Paulo
UVic – University of Victoria
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