MASRI

MASRI activities include modernization of existing unique resources and equipment and establishment of new facilities. The research  infrastructure  consist of four main modules:

• Research Fleet;
• National Operational Marine Observing System – NOMOS;
• Data and information center;
• Research Laboratory Complex.

Each representing a distinct on functional basis part of the scientific infrastructure, and consists of separate components distributed physically in different scientific organizations, in the city of Varna.

Thus, MASRI is intended to be a large-scale, interdisciplinary multifunctional (physics, chemistry, biology, geology, aquacultures, medicine, energy, underwater and offshore technologies) marine research infrastructure of scientific significance and will provide unique facilities (including databases and computer network) which will be widely accessible on national, regional and international level for multidisciplinary researches.

Brief Description of MASRI Modules

Research Fleet

The research fleet is an important part of MASRI scientific infrastructure. Research vessels are intended to provide access to the investigated medium – the sea and they are providing a working platform for conducting research. MASRI research fleet includes four components:

• Regional RV “Akademik” – a regional class research vessel which provides research in the Black Sea. Part of the European research infrastructure EUROFLEETS – Envisaged replacement.
• Small RV “Izsledovatel 2” – modern, highly effective research vessel, optimized for near the coast and shelf zone researches. Part of the European research infrastructure EUROFLEETS – Planned to be built.
• Vessel for underwater research and technological operations – support of the scientific research activities in the area of marine science and technology – Envisaged modernization.
• Research submarine PC-8B – allows operation of a scientific crew of 3 people to a depth of 250 meters. Part of the European research infrastructure EUROFLEETS – Envisaged modernization.

National Operational Marine Observing System – NOMOS

NOMOS is a system of systems to measure in situ parameters of marine environment and surrounding atmosphere. It is designed to provide information on the state of the marine environment for scientific research, forecasting and marine industry. NOMOS includes several components:

• BulArgo – a system of profiling drifting buoys to measure the profiles of the characteristics of the marine environment in the depth up to 2000m. Part of the European research infrastructure EuroARGO – Envisaged modernization.
• Waves and currents monitoring system – Part of the European research infrastructure JERICO – Planned to be built.
• National sea level observing system – Part of the European research infrastructure JERICO – Envisaged modernization.
• Moorings network – Part of the European research infrastructure JERICO – Envisaged modernization.
• Coast research bases – research complexes for marine coastal research and monitoring – Part of the European research infrastructure JERICO – Envisaged modernization.
• Metrological control laboratory – provides accurate measurements by metrological control of the used sensors. Part of the European research infrastructure JERICO – Planned to be built.

Data and information center

Provides a computing environment, communication environment and environment for quality control and reliable storage of data and information within the scientific infrastructure. Includes three components:

• National Oceanographic Data and Information Center – BGODC – Provides centralized national storage, processing and presentation of oceanographic data. Provides national and international exchange of oceanographic data. Part of the European research infrastructure SeaDataNet – Envisaged modernization.
• High Performance Computing Simulation Facility – provides powerful computational resources of the consortium members in solving complex problems in computational mathematics, hydrodynamics and marine information technology – Planned to be built.
• High speed communication environment – provides high-speed communication medium between components and modules of the scientific infrastructure, thereby ensuring its coherence and virtual connectivity in terms of physical distribution – Planned to be built.

Research Laboratory Complex

Research laboratory Complex represents a system of research laboratories for chemical, biological and geological analyzes and for relevant research on marine medicine as well as of laboratories for marine resources and technologies research. The complex includes the next components:

• Marine Chemical Laboratory
• Laboratory of Marine Biology and Ecology
• Marine Geological Laboratory
• Marine Genetics Laboratory
• Laboratory for Marine Living Resources
• Marine Medicine Laboratory
• Laboratory for Marine Renewable Energy Resources
• Underwater Technology Laboratory
• Diagnostics of Ship Structures and Equipment Laboratory
• Underwater Cutting and Welding Laboratory

There are some existing laboratories like marine chemistry; marine biology and marine genetics lab but they need significant upgrade. Other laboratories are to be built.