Microbial Ocean Atlas

The Challenge

The project set out to drive the integration of large DNA sequencing datasets that describe the composition and function of Australian marine microbial assemblages, with oceanographic datasets that describe the form and dynamics of Australian ocean ecosystems.

Integrating these very different data types will accelerate our understanding of how changing environmental conditions drive the microbial processes that sustain the planet, while giving non-microbial researchers direct access to key microbial insights that will enhance modelling of ecological and biogeochemical processes.

The Response

The Microbial Ocean Atlas project involves 4 elements:

• project scope – identifying the development pathways for incorporating or integrating the microbial data seamlessly into a discovery and visualisation framework being developed for IMOS
• data harmonisation – delivering harmonised datasets ready for use
• visualisation – delivering visualisations of the harmonised data prepared, which will allow users to observe and explore microbial and oceanographic data seamlessly on a map or in the context of a time series and pre-select specific data sets for download and further analyses when required
• sustainability and longevity – ensuring that the data asset is visible, useful and responds to the needs of a broad range of researchers and end-users.

The Partners

• Bioplatforms Australia
• Integrated Marine Observing System (IMOS)