Description: Modular Observation Solutions of Earth Systems (MOSES) is a novel observation system that is specifically designed to unravel the impact of distinct, dynamic events on the long-term development of environmental systems. Hydrometeorological extremes such as the recent European droughts or the floods of 2013 caused severe and lasting environmental damage. Modeling studies suggest that abrupt permafrost thaw events accelerate Arctic greenhouse gas emissions. Short-lived ocean eddies seem to comprise a significant share of the marine carbon uptake or release. Although there is increasing evidence that such dynamic events bear the potential for major environmental impacts, our knowledge on the processes they trigger is still very limited. MOSES aims at capturing such events, from their formation to their end, with high spatial and temporal resolution. As such, the observation system extends and complements existing national and international observation networks, which are mostly designed for long-term monitoring. Several German Helmholtz Association centers have developed this research facility as a mobile and modular “system of systems” to record energy, water, greenhouse gas, and nutrient cycles on the land surface, in coastal regions, in the ocean, in polar regions, and in the atmosphere—but especially the interactions between the Earth compartments. During the implementation period (2017–21), the measuring systems were put into operation and test campaigns were performed to establish event-driven campaign routines. With MOSES’s regular operation starting in 2022, the observation system will then be ready for cross-compartment and cross-discipline research on the environmental impacts of dynamic events.

Description: Surface water samples of the river Elbe were taken in May 2021 with the vessel Zwergseeschwalbe between Geesthacht and Neu Darchau. Connecting cruises were performed from colleagues from Geesthacht towards Hamburg and from Elster towards Dömitz.

Description: The vessel Ludwig Prandtl was anchored for 48 h off Cuxhaven at Medem Reede. Water samples were taken approx. every 2 hours during daytime, while sensors were recording continuously. Water samples were taken from ferrybox outlet from surface (1 m).

Description: The vessel Reykjanes was anchored for 48 h off Cuxhaven at Medem Reede. Water samples were taken approx. every 2 hours during daytime, while sensors were recording continuously. Water samples were taken from different sources: ship's water supply, in-situ pump and niskin bottle, from surface (1 m) and bottom water (12 m).

Description: In August 2020 the research vessel Albis investigated the river Elbe from Schmielka towards Geesthacht. Basic hydrographic parameters were measured continuously, with a portable ferryBox. Dissolved methane was continuously determined with a degassing unit and a Greenhouse Gas Analyzer from LosGatosResearch. Atmospheric CH4 and CO2 was determined with a Licor system.

Description: The MOSES Elbe 2023 experiment aims at following a water mass from the spring of the Elbe River in the Czech Republic, through the freshwater and tidal sections of the river, into the North Sea, where three ships (Mya II, Littorina, and Ludwig Prandtl) were used covering the marine environment in the German Bight (Sternfahrt 10). In order to follow the water mass from the Elbe estuary numerical simulations were performed to determine the likelihood of a variety of starting points for a drifter release experiment. At the first morning of the cruise model forecasts were used to determine the exact locations where drifters were to be released. The drifters were initially released in groups of three drifters and then supplemented at a later point of time. During the following two and a half weeks, the current drifter positions were revisited from the ships involved to take water samples.

Description: The dataset contains temperature, salinity, oxygen saturation and turbidity data from the Helgoland MarGate underwater observatory from the year 2013 in a temporal resolution of 1 hour. The cabled observatory is located in 10m water depth and comprises single or multiple sensors for a specific parameter (see https://www.awi.de/en/science/biosciences/shelf-sea-system-ecology/main-research-focus/cosyna/underwater-node-helgoland.html). For a detailed description of the data see associated metadatafile metadata_heluwobs_2013_hydrography.pdf

Description: The dataset contains temperature, salinity, oxygen saturation, chlorophyll a and turbidity data from the Helgoland MarGate underwater observatory from the year 2021 in a temporal resolution of 1 hour. The cabled observatory is located in 10m water depth and comprises single or multiple sensors for a specific parameter (see https://www.awi.de/en/science/biosciences/shelf-sea-system-ecology/main-research-focus/cosyna/underwater-node-helgoland.html). For a detailed description of the data see associated metadatafile metadata_heluwobs_2021_hydrography.pdf

Description: The MOSES Elbe 2023 experiment aims at following a water mass from the spring of the Elbe River in the Czech Republic, through the freshwater and tidal sections of the river, into the North Sea, where three ships (Mya II, Littorina, and Ludwig Prandtl) were used covering the marine environment in the German Bight (Sternfahrt 10). In order to follow the water mass from the Elbe estuary numerical simulations were performed to determine the likelihood of a variety of starting points for a drifter release experiment. At the first morning of the cruise model forecasts were used to determine the exact locations where drifters were to be released. The drifters were initially released in groups of three drifters and then supplemented at a later point of time. During the following two and a half weeks, the current drifter positions were revisited from the ships involved to take water samples.

Description: The MOSES Elbe 2023 experiment aims at following a water mass from the spring of the Elbe River in the Czech Republic, through the freshwater and tidal sections of the river, into the North Sea, where three ships (Mya II, Littorina, and Ludwig Prandtl) were used covering the marine environment in the German Bight (Sternfahrt 10). In order to follow the water mass from the Elbe estuary numerical simulations were performed to determine the likelihood of a variety of starting points for a drifter release experiment. At the first morning of the cruise model forecasts were used to determine the exact locations where drifters were to be released. The drifters were initially released in groups of three drifters and then supplemented at a later point of time. During the following two and a half weeks, the current drifter positions were revisited from the ships involved to take water samples.