Ocean observations and their effective integration in the Digital Twins are critical for understanding and managing marine ecosystems. The Balearic Islands Coastal Observing and Forecasting System (SOCIB) is a marine research infrastructure that monitors the ocean state and the variability of the Western Mediterranean Sea using multiple observing platforms, including autonomous underwater vehicles such as the Ocean Gliders. They represent a transformative way to gather observations efficiently and cost-effectively regarding the marine environment, also contributing to the global target of advancing towards net zero in carbon in 2040 for a global observing network. They have become an integral asset for oceanographic research by offering their unique ability to collect high-resolution data over extended periods, covering vast oceanic regions that may be challenging for traditional sampling methods. They can provide real-time (RT) or near-real-time (NRT) observations in all weather conditions via satellite communication networks, allowing researchers to facilitate adaptive sampling strategies. Autonomous platforms can monitor physical (temperature, conductivity, and depth) and biochemical (oxygen, chlorophyll fluorescence, CDOM, and bbp700nm) variables, making them suitable for various research applications. SOCIB ensures the data quality of Ocean Gliders through best practices, continuous monitoring of the sensor’s calibration, automated validation of the observations, and comprehensive documentation. In addition, SOCIB has developed data management plans for the gliders that integrate a systematic approach to data collection, curation, preservation, and the description of the data and workflows, encompassing precise metadata documentation to ensure the traceability and reproducibility of oceanographic observations. These SOCIB initiatives aim to improve data quality and reliability, ultimately contributing to the development of Ocean Best Practices and fostering data interoperability. Furthermore, the SOCIB data repository adheres to CoreTrustSeal standards for digital repositories, thus contributing to creating TRUST (Transparency, Responsibility, User focus, Sustainability, and Technology) in the research data infrastructure to ensure SOCIB data are accessible in the future. These measures, encompassing thorough data validation and verification processes, contribute to maintaining the reliability, accuracy, and high standards for storing oceanographic observations. Upcoming integrations of Science Knowledge Graphs, FAIR evaluation tools, and machine-actionable DMP (maDMP) interoperability in the OSTrails project context will further enhance SOCIB’s capabilities for Digital Twins development.
Zarokanellos et al. (Mon,) studied this question.