For more than six tenner , the Boknis Eck leatherneck observatory has taken pelagic mensuration in the Baltic Sea – until recently . Last month , contagion all of a sudden and unexpectedly stop . Now , researchers are appear for clues after they dispatched frogman to the seafloor only to find the remote sensors responsible for for have datum measurements have been “ forcibly murder ” .
" On August 21 at 8.15pm it end the data transmittal , " state Boknis Eck coordinator Hermann Bange from GEOMAR in astatement , adding that at first his squad suspected a “ transmittal misplay , ” but divers discovered a much more sick situation when they reached the seabed where the sensors were opine to be .
" When the divers progress to the bottom of the sea last week at the observatory ’s location , they found only the torn off domain cable . It was completely shredded , ” said Bange .
Every calendar month since 1957 , scientist have been measuring environmentaldatalike temperature , salinity , nutrients , chlorophyll , and atomic number 8 in the accurate fix of Eckernförde Bay off Germany ’s Baltic coast , giving researchers a deeper understanding of environmental conditions in the southwest Baltic Sea . Bocknis Eckis one of the oldest , still fighting maritime science site in the world . In December of 2016 , the GEOMAR Helmholtz Center for Ocean Research Kiel and the Helmholtz Center Geesthacht installed an underwater observatory in a restricted area that take extra measuring like current speed and methane absorption along the seabed .
The items that have disappeared were two desk - sized racks weighing 250 kg ( 550 pounds ) and 100 kilograms ( 220 pounds ) , severally . One was meant to supply office to the monitoring station via a cable connected to the land while a second house the detector . Given their large and inapt size , scientists have n’t rule out that they may have been rip away by storm , currents , or orotund marine mammals , thoughexperts sayit is unlikely .
Police are investigating the disappearance of the equipment quote at around € 300,000 , but Bange suppose the data it provide is “ priceless ” .
" At first , we endeavor to find the devices with our own research and other diving event lotion . So far without success . That ’s why we would be very happy about any intimation , ” he said , bestow that there is a chance someone may have watch something at a nearby encampment on August 21 , or perhaps someone may have determine part of the frames somewhere on the beach .
Researchers are work to get the “ lookout back up and running as quickly as possible ” .
