Beakon Paloma
PALOMA, the Advanced Platform Oceanographic Laboratory of the Adriatic Sea, is strategically located in the center of the Gulf of Trieste, positioned between the coastal towns of Pirano (Slovenia) and Grado. Situated approximately 8 nautical miles (around 15 km) from the coast of Trieste, this state-of-the-art research station was initially deployed by ISMAR Trieste in July 2002 and has undergone significant maintenance before its redeployment in May 2022.
Since its establishment, the PALOMA station has played a vital role in providing marine weather data in collaboration with the FVG Civil Protection and ARPA-OSMER, with data available in near real-time. Over the years, the station’s instrumentation has been progressively enhanced, with a primary focus on studying air-sea carbon dioxide (CO2) exchanges, a critical greenhouse gas.
Currently, the station is undergoing further upgrades that include the installation of new sensors and an advanced data transmission system, which will facilitate near real-time transmission of all collected data. Since 2008, monthly monitoring of the water column has been conducted in partnership with ARPA-FVG, utilizing a multiparameter probe for comprehensive profiles and discrete sampling at four depths. Parameters measured include dissolved oxygen, nutrients, dissolved organic carbon, pH (with a precision of ± 0.003), and total alkalinity. These measurements provide a thorough characterization of the carbonate system, establishing the longest time series of these variables in the Adriatic.
PALOMA Station also contributes significantly to European research infrastructures, including ICOS-ERIC (Integrated Carbon Observation System), DANUBIUS-ESFRI, and JERICO-RI, underscoring our commitment to advancing marine science and fostering international collaboration.
