National Research Council – Institute of Polar Sciences -Bologna

Created March 17, 2026

Updated on March 17, 2026

approved

CNR–ISP Bologna is an operational unit of the Institute of Polar Sciences of the National Research Council of Italy, with recognised expertise in marine and polar research activities. The site provides scientific and technical support for the deployment, operation and management of marine technologies and supports ship-based operations, underwater data acquisition, video and sensor data management, and quality control procedures in support of multidisciplinary marine research. Through its technical competencies and facilities, CNR–ISP Bologna contributes to national and European research infrastructures and initiatives, providing specialised services and operational support to the marine science community. Within the EUROFLEETS framework, CNR–ISP Bologna provides specialised scientific and technical support for ship-based marine operations involving underwater technologies. The unit is responsible for the operation of the light work-class remotely operated vehicle (ROV) system AEGIR 250 deployed on board the R/V Gaia Blu. Its activities include ROV configuration and operation, management of imaging systems (HD/4K cameras), manipulators and deep-water operations, as well as deployment and recovery procedures. CNR–ISP Bologna supports real-time underwater data and video acquisition via fibre-optic transmission, integration of dive metadata, video formatting and archiving workflows, and live-streaming for scientific communication and outreach. The unit also ensures system maintenance, calibration and operational support during ITINERIS and EUROFLEETS cruises. In the context of the SIOS Research Infrastructure, CNR–ISP manages the Italian node through the Italian Antarctic Data Center (IADC), hosted at its Bologna headquarters, together with the National Arctic Data Center (NADC). These national research infrastructures are dedicated to the efficient management, long-term preservation and dissemination of data and metadata related to polar research. Through NADC and IADC, CNR–ISP Bologna provides high-quality datasets to European polar research infrastructures such as SIOS and INTERACT, including core data in atmospheric science, climate and oceanography, and plays a key role in ensuring interoperability, data accessibility and reuse within the European polar research ecosystem. Additionally, the Bologna section oversees two major marine infrastructures: one situated in the Svalbard Islands and the other in the southern Adriatic Sea. The Svalbard Observatory, located in Kongsfjorden and Krossfjorden, provides comprehensive physical and biochemical measurements from various depths within the water column. It is part of the Svalbard Integrated Arctic Earth Observing System (SIOS), contributing valuable insights into Arctic marine environments. The Adriatic Observatory, situated in the southern Adriatic Sea, focuses on measuring physical and biochemical parameters from the lower water column (last 100 meters). This site is integral to the European Multidisciplinary Seafloor and Water Column Observatory (EMSO-ERIC), a European Research Infrastructure Consortium that enhances our understanding of deep marine ecosystems and their dynamics.

resource logo
Tags:
Antarctica
Arctica
Biogeochemistry
Deep Sea Operations
Imaging Oceanography
Marine Research
Operational Oceanography
Physical Oceanography
Provider - CNR-ISP Bologna
ROV
Underwater Robotics
Basic
Abbreviation
CNR - ISP
Hosting legal entity
https://ror.org/05d49bv37
Legal Entity
true
Legal status
Public Legal Entity
Name
National Research Council – Institute of Polar Sciences – Bologna
Research Infrastructure
  • EMSO
  • ITINERIS
  • SIOS
  • Eurofleets
Website
https://www.isp.cnr.it/index.php/it/
Marketing
Description
CNR–ISP Bologna is an operational unit of the Institute of Polar Sciences of the National Research Council of Italy, with recognised expertise in marine and polar research activities. The site provides scientific and technical support for the deployment, operation and management of marine technologies and supports ship-based operations, underwater data acquisition, video and sensor data management, and quality control procedures in support of multidisciplinary marine research. Through its technical competencies and facilities, CNR–ISP Bologna contributes to national and European research infrastructures and initiatives, providing specialised services and operational support to the marine science community. Within the EUROFLEETS framework, CNR–ISP Bologna provides specialised scientific and technical support for ship-based marine operations involving underwater technologies. The unit is responsible for the operation of the light work-class remotely operated vehicle (ROV) system AEGIR 250 deployed on board the R/V Gaia Blu. Its activities include ROV configuration and operation, management of imaging systems (HD/4K cameras), manipulators and deep-water operations, as well as deployment and recovery procedures. CNR–ISP Bologna supports real-time underwater data and video acquisition via fibre-optic transmission, integration of dive metadata, video formatting and archiving workflows, and live-streaming for scientific communication and outreach. The unit also ensures system maintenance, calibration and operational support during ITINERIS and EUROFLEETS cruises. In the context of the SIOS Research Infrastructure, CNR–ISP manages the Italian node through the Italian Antarctic Data Center (IADC), hosted at its Bologna headquarters, together with the National Arctic Data Center (NADC). These national research infrastructures are dedicated to the efficient management, long-term preservation and dissemination of data and metadata related to polar research. Through NADC and IADC, CNR–ISP Bologna provides high-quality datasets to European polar research infrastructures such as SIOS and INTERACT, including core data in atmospheric science, climate and oceanography, and plays a key role in ensuring interoperability, data accessibility and reuse within the European polar research ecosystem. Additionally, the Bologna section oversees two major marine infrastructures: one situated in the Svalbard Islands and the other in the southern Adriatic Sea. The Svalbard Observatory, located in Kongsfjorden and Krossfjorden, provides comprehensive physical and biochemical measurements from various depths within the water column. It is part of the Svalbard Integrated Arctic Earth Observing System (SIOS), contributing valuable insights into Arctic marine environments. The Adriatic Observatory, situated in the southern Adriatic Sea, focuses on measuring physical and biochemical parameters from the lower water column (last 100 meters). This site is integral to the European Multidisciplinary Seafloor and Water Column Observatory (EMSO-ERIC), a European Research Infrastructure Consortium that enhances our understanding of deep marine ecosystems and their dynamics.
Logo
https://www.isp.cnr.it/templates/favourite/images/logo/Logo_ISP217x167.jpg
Classification
Scientific Domain
Natural Sciences
Scientific Sub-Domain
  • Natural Sciences. Earth & Related Environmental Sciences
  • Natural Sciences. Biological Sciences
  • Natural Sciences. Chemical Sciences
  • Natural Sciences. Computer & Information Sciences
  • Natural Sciences. Other Natural Sciences
Structure types
Single-sited
Location
City
Bologna
Country
Italy
Postal Code
40129
Region
Emilia Romagna
Street Name and Number
Via Piero Gobetti, 101
Main Contact
Contact Information
  • Alice Cavaliere; alice.cavaliere@cnr.it (SIOS/EMSO)
  • Chiara Ripa; chiara.ripa@cnr.it (SIOS/EMSO)
  • Paolo Montagna; paolo.montagna@cnr.it (EuroFleets)
  • Stefano Miserocchi; stefano.miserocchi@cnr.it (EMSO)
Detailed informations
Provider
CNR-ISP Bologna
system:type
Provider
Management Info
Author
Catalogue Manager ITINERIS
Maintainer
Catalogue Manager ITINERIS
Version
1
Last Updated
March 17, 2026, 13:31 (UTC)
Created
March 17, 2026, 13:30 (UTC)
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