The different options that presently exists for long term, permanent, real-time monitoring will be compared. Namely : i) fiber optic cabled observatories ; ii) permanent observatories linked to a sea-surface buoy equipped with energy supply and telecommunications systems.
Each option has advantages and drawbacks that need to be compared and adapted to the specific situation of the Marmara Sea through a feasibility study, taking into account all the different components, such as technological, economical, environmental, logistical and political (see details in section 3.3).
The expected results here are recommendations on the preferred option and on the required infrastructure for a future network of permanent, seafloor observatories. The present study will also provide approximate costs (on investments, maintenance and personnel), based on the experience gained during the European Seafloor Observatory Network Implementtion Model (ESONIM). ESONIM funded Alcatel to establish the total cost for implementing a cabled seafloor observatory (CelNet) off Ireland. For the Marmara Sea, we will use this model to produce our own, independent estimations. This will strengthen our position during the future discussions with cable providers.