PLOCAN Observatory Network

PLOCAN Observatory Network
The PLOCAN Observatory Network is a passive acoustic monitoring network operated by the Oceanic Platform of the Canary Islands (PLOCAN). It focuses on Ocean Soundscapes, Marine Mammal Monitoring, and Ocean Sound. The network contributes to the characterization of underwater acoustic environments and the analysis of geophysical and ecological processes in the Northeast Atlantic.

Aim and Scope
The network's primary goal is to provide long-term passive acoustic data to support research in:

Ocean Soundscapes: Characterizing natural and anthropogenic variations in underwater acoustic environments.
Marine Mammal Monitoring: Detecting the presence and behavior of cetaceans and assessing the impact of human activities on marine life.
Ocean Sound: Investigating underwater physical and geophysical processes, including interactions between seismic activity, submarine volcanic processes, and acoustic propagation.
Types of Sensors and Data Collected
The network consists of hydrophones deployed in fixed locations on subsurface moorings. These instruments continuously record passive acoustic data, capturing a wide range of underwater sounds, including biological, geophysical, and anthropogenic noise.

The collected data is initially stored in WAV format, then compressed into FLAC, and finally converted into MiniSEED format. This approach ensures efficient storage and compatibility with geophysical and oceanographic data infrastructures.

The network operates with high sampling rates which are later downsampled to 300 Hz to optimize the detection of low-frequency acoustic events associated with geophysical and biological processes.

Peculiarities of the Network
Multi-disciplinary application: The network supports oceanographic, ecological, and geophysical research, facilitating the study of natural and human-induced underwater acoustic events.
Data standardization: The use of MiniSEED format ensures seamless integration with geophysical and oceanographic data repositories.
Strategic location: Situated in a high-interest oceanographic and seismic region in the Atlantic, the network provides valuable datasets for studying ocean-acoustic interactions.
The PLOCAN Observatory Network serves as a regional node within the EMSO Canarias framework, reinforcing its role in international ocean observatory initiatives.