InfoWas – a model-based Information system on water quality in the sea

Vibrios and cyanobacteria can spoil the fun at the beach. In PrimePrevention we study the causes of toxic algal blooms and links to extreme events. But the results are of little use if not transferred to the public. To this end, the BSH has developed an information system on the biological state: InfoWas.

The aim is to install a forecast and information system to inform on possible changes in water quality. This is realised using daily forecasts from the operational model of BSH. For InfoWas, operational model data are post-processed and visualized in an automated routine by members of the Operational Modelling group. Chlorophyll and an index of oxygen deficiency are available as first products.

In PrimePrevention, we continue to extend this system. Cyanobacteria biomass is already calculated within the operational model and new information gained in PrimePrevention support the quality of the forecast of this functional group, while new indicators can be used to inform on further biological hazards. Besides adding new variables to InfoWas, we also extend the system towards usability and handling.

Link to InfoWas-System               Link to project page

The project to establish InfoWas was supported by the Federal Ministry for Digital and transport (BMDV) and German Aerospace Center (DLR). Involved along with BSH was the Alfred Wegener Institute Helmholtz Centre for Polar- and Marine Research (AWI). Photo: BSH.