DANUBIUS

Danube International Centre for Advanced Studies for River-Delta-Sea

systems

Manuela Sidoroff INSB

manuelasidorof@yahoo.com

Viorel Vulturescu M.E.N.

viorel.vulturescu@ancs.ro

Adrian Stănică GeoEcoMar

astanica@geoecomar.ro

A Pan European R&D infrastructure in the field of integrated management of rivers-deltas-seas focused on Danube – Black Sea macrosystem

…… with a hub in Danube Delta – a truly natural laboratory

……. having nodes as leading facilities and research centres dealing with processes, research methodologies and offering access to other parts of the Danube – Black Sea macrosystem

What DANUBIUS will be ?

Schematic diagram of DANUBIUS

Concept of DANUBIUS

To provide innovative, science-based innovative solutions for

major actual environmental-related problems and to set the

framework for sustainable development of Danube – Danube

Delta – Black Sea system, as best practice for large river –

delta – sea systems worldwide

Mission of DANUBIUS

Solutions

Scenario analysis

& forecasting

modelling

Environmental Economics

Data & Sample Collection & Processing

Analytical, Experimental & Sampling Methodology

Schematic representation of the core capabilities of the Centre

Pyramid of knowledge at DANUBIUS

“The actors” Initiative Present (Near) Future

“The actors” (institutions) Initiative Present

DANUBIUS will:

become an ERIC (European Research Infrastructure

Consortium) from the legal point of view

have an international management

have an International Scientific Board

have an International General Council with

participation of Shareholders

Principles of Centre’s functioning as Pan-European distributed Research

Infrastructure

WHAT WE HAVE SO FAR

WORK IN PROGRESS

STEPS TO BE TAKEN

DANUBIUS

DANUBIUS Hub

10 hectares available at Murighiol, administrator: Romanian National Institute for Biological Sciences - INSB

Topography studies – done

Reference borehole for water supply & geothermal gradient – done

Permits & authorizations for building (32 permits) – in progress…

DANUBIUS Existing nodes in Romania (1)

R/V “Mare Nigrum” – 3 000 tdw R/V “Istros” –river and coastal research

Laboratory boat “Halmyris” for the Danube Delta research

Sulina Branch of the Institute of Biology

MARINEGEOHAZARD –Black Sea Early-Warning System – funded by CBC RO-BG (6,5 Mil. Euro)

MARINEGEOHAZARD is composed of:

1. EUXINUS network - the Black Sea regional early warning system

to marine-geohazards – marine observatories

2. GeoPontica network - the first on-line geodynamic surveillance

network in the entire Black Sea region

Existing nodes in Romania (2)

1. The EUXINUS network - the western Black Sea regional

early warning system to marine-geohazards

Components of the

EUXINUS cross-border

infrastructure :

Network of 5 complex, fully

automatic marine stations

(buoys) with automatic

equipment for measuring the

characteristics and the

dynamics of water masses .

Interconnected, national co-ordination Centres, located

in Constanta, Romania and Varna, Bulgaria.

The GeoPontica network includes:

- 18 on-line geodynamic stations located along the Romanian-Bulgarian

coast;

- 2 coordination Centres located in Constanta, Romania and Varna,

Bulgaria

2. The GeoPontica network for geodynamic surveillance in the

western Black Sea

Planned nodes

+ negotiations with other research institutions to further develop nodes – from Bulgaria, Hungary, Italy, Moldova, Ukraine, United Kingdom

+ atmospheric (GHG) monitoring and RI in the Delta – as contribution to ESFRI ICOS

NB THE LIST IS OPEN!!!

looking towards: Netherlands, Norway, Serbia, Slovakia

Steps to be taken

…. towards creation and functioning of the Danube International Centre for River–Delta-Sea systems – take into account:

1. Research Infrastructure – towards DANUBIUS ESFRI RI (National Project)

2. Human potential – FP7 DANCERS

3. Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda – FP 7 DANCERS

Short term plan (2013 - 2014)

2013 – DANUBIUS as Flagship Project PA 7 – EUSDR

2014 - Final Version the Scientific Case Study (already at v. 7.2)

2014 – application of DANUBIUS as ESFRI ENV Pan-European Distributed Research Infrastructure

2014 - Preparation of the Structural Funds Application for Romania Hub and nodes (partial):

- Feasibility study and application for a major project

- RO - Sectorial Operational Program for Research to include the Centre as a major project

Short term plan (2013 – 2015)

FP 7 DANCERS: "DANube macroregion: Capacity building and Excellence in River Systems (basin, delta and sea)“. - EC Grant agreement no: 603805

Deliverables:

Toolbox of instruments containing:

1. Strategic research agenda,

2. Proposals for an integrated educational program with the full cooperation of partners from Danube - Black Sea Macrosystem.

3. Concept and detailed plan of the distributed research infrastructures for the Danube – Black Sea Macrosystem

Mid-term plan 2015 – 2020 (ESFRI)

(after inclusion on ESFRI roadmap):

2015 – 2017 (2016-2018?)

Preparatory Phase (PP) project for the Danube International Centre for Advanced Studies in Rivers-Deltas-Seas

Planning and designing the legal framework;

Detailed scheme of functioning for the centre;

Interconnectivity with nodes, communication and specific aspects for e-infrastructures

Aspects regarding the human potential and financial resources for a sustainable functioning of the Centre

Mid-term plan 2015 – 2020

(Structural funds - construction)

Phase 1 – 2015 (Basic constructions of the Hub)

Buildings for field research activities on the river – delta – sea system

Administrative building of the Centre and office building for scientists

Main logistics

Mid-term plan 2015 – 2020

(Structural funds - construction)

Phase 2 – 2016 – 2017

Specialized high-tech laboratories – as agreed in the

ESFRI Proposal

Phase 3 – 2018 – 2020

Specialized high-tech laboratories – as agreed and

resulted from the Preparatory Phase.

Research Vessels to replace existing fleet for studying the

river, delta and sea

Mid-term plan 2015 – 2020 (ERIC)

2018-2020: Structuring the legal dimensions of

the DANUBIUS - ESFRI ENV Distributed

Research Infrastructure as ERIC (European

Research Infrastructure Consortium)

By 2020:

DANUBIUS = Fully functional Pan-European

distributed Research Infrastructure in the field

of rivers – deltas – seas, legal status = ERIC

Thank you for your attention

Looking forward to cooperating with

Danube Region R&D organisations

within DANUBIUS

Manuela Sidoroff INSB

manuelasidorof@yahoo.com

Viorel Vulturescu M.E.N.

viorel.vulturescu@ancs.ro

Adrian Stănică GeoEcoMar

astanica@geoecomar.ro