MARS (Monterey Accelerated Research System)

MARS (Monterey Accelerated Research System)
Name	MARS (Monterey Accelerated Research System)
Location	Monterey Bay, California
Type	Cabled observatory
Established	2013 (commissioned)
Operator	Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute

MARS (Monterey Accelerated Research System) is a cabled regional-scale ocean observatory that provides continuous power and high-bandwidth data communications to seafloor habitats off the coast of Monterey Bay, California. The system enables long-term experiments and real-time monitoring by connecting instruments on the continental shelf and slope to shore-based laboratories. MARS integrates technologies and partnerships bridging Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute, National Science Foundation, University of California, Santa Cruz, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, and regional research entities.

Overview

MARS operates as a fiber-optic and power distribution network linking shore stations near Monterey Bay to seafloor nodes on the continental slope and shelf, supporting science by institutions such as Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, University of Washington, Oregon State University, Stanford University, and California Institute of Technology. The array's goals align with initiatives from Ocean Observatories Initiative, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, U.S. Geological Survey, and collaborative programs with private partners like Schlumberger and Fugro. MARS leverages standards and protocols shared with projects including NEPTUNE Canada, ONC, VENUS (Victoria Experimental Network Under the Sea), and Cabled Array components of larger networks.

History and Development

Conceived in planning workshops involving Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute, National Science Foundation, and regional universities, MARS progressed from concept studies alongside programs such as California Cooperative Oceanic Fisheries Investigations and initiatives led by Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. Early engineering draws on precedents set by Henry Stommel-era observational campaigns and technology developments promoted by Scripps Institution of Oceanography and Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution. Funding and partnerships included awards and cooperative agreements with National Science Foundation, philanthropic support similar to grants from foundations like Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, and equipment donations from industry contractors including Subsea 7 and TE SubCom. Deployment cruises used research vessels such as RV Western Flyer, RV Point Sur, and internationally chartered ships associated with NOAA Ship Nancy Foster operations. Over successive phases, nodes and junction boxes were installed during operations concurrent with projects by Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary resource assessments and regional ocean policy efforts.

Infrastructure and Technical Specifications

MARS comprises an underwater backbone of fiber-optic cable and power conductors terminating in seafloor junction boxes and instrument nodes, incorporating hardware developed with suppliers like OSIsoft, Cisco Systems, and Xylem Inc. for data telemetry and power management. The system supports gigabit Ethernet bandwidth, real-time telemetry, and modular instrument interfaces compatible with device standards used by WHOI and Scripps Institution of Oceanography. Instruments include seafloor platforms, moorings, and benthic landers equipped with cameras, hydrophones, current meters, sediment traps, chemical sensors, and autonomous vehicle docking stations interoperable with platforms from Teledyne Webb Research, Bluefin Robotics, and Kongsberg Maritime. Power delivery systems use subsea switchgear concepts developed in collaboration with firms such as ABB and Siemens for voltage conversion, surge protection, and redundancy. Junction boxes provide multiple 10–48 VDC and 110–240 VAC feeds, while shore termination facilities house data servers, timing references tied to Global Positioning System, and interfaces for remote access by institutions partnering through MONTEREY Bay Aquarium Research Institute-led governance.

Research Programs and Scientific Missions

MARS supports interdisciplinary programs spanning biological, chemical, geological, and physical oceanography, enabling experiments relevant to investigators at Stanford University, University of California, Davis, University of California, Berkeley, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, and Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute. Research topics include benthic ecology studies aligning with Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary conservation priorities, ocean acidification monitoring paralleled by programs at NOAA, methane seep and cold seep studies similar to work by US Geological Survey, and seismic and geodetic monitoring used in conjunction with California Institute of Technology seismological research. The observatory has hosted campaigns involving remotely operated vehicles like Jason (ROV), autonomous underwater vehicles from MBARI partners, long-term bioacoustic monitoring compatible with studies by Cornell Lab of Ornithology and Scripps Institution of Oceanography, and instrumentation adopted in ecosystem modeling projects with groups such as Princeton University and University of Washington.

Operations and Management

Operational management is led by Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute in cooperation with academic partners, commercial contractors, and federal agencies including National Science Foundation program officers and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration liaisons. Routine maintenance and upgrades are conducted via ship-based operations using research vessels under contracts similar to those utilized by Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution and Scripps Institution of Oceanography, with remotely operated vehicles provided by vendors like Schilling Robotics and Oceaneering International. Data governance follows community practices endorsed by DataONE, EarthCube, and domain repositories utilized by National Centers for Environmental Information for archiving. Training and outreach programs engage students and stakeholders from University of California, Santa Cruz, Monterey Peninsula College, and regional science centers, while emergency response coordination is arranged with agencies such as Monterey County Office of Emergency Services and NOAA.

Environmental and Regulatory Considerations

Environmental assessments for MARS installations complied with review processes involving Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, National Marine Fisheries Service, California Coastal Commission, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service where applicable. Permitting engaged stakeholders including California State Lands Commission, California Department of Fish and Wildlife, and municipal authorities in Monterey County. Environmental monitoring programs address potential impacts to benthic habitats, marine mammals protected under laws enforced by National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and mitigation measures coordinated with conservation organizations such as The Nature Conservancy and Monterey Bay Aquarium science initiatives. Risk assessments considered seabed disturbance, cable burial techniques used by companies like DeepOcean, and best practices drawn from international guidelines such as those advocated by International Seabed Authority and conventions involving International Maritime Organization.

Impact and Notable Findings

MARS has enabled discoveries and long-term datasets that informed work by researchers at Scripps Institution of Oceanography, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Stanford University, and California Institute of Technology on topics including benthic community dynamics, episodic events documented alongside data from National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration monitoring, and improved understanding of methane seep systems informing U.S. Geological Survey assessments. High-resolution time series from MARS contributed to multidisciplinary publications in journals read by communities at American Geophysical Union, European Geosciences Union, and academic societies affiliated with American Association for the Advancement of Science. The observatory's infrastructure served as a testbed for technology transfer to programs like NEPTUNE Canada and informed policy discussions involving Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary and regional marine spatial planning initiatives championed by agencies such as California Ocean Protection Council.

Category:Oceanographic observatories Category:Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute