Black Sea – Monitoring and Forecasting Centre (BLK MFC) provides regular and systematic information about the physical state of the ocean and marine ecosystems for the Black Sea. The system is based on a numerical ocean model assimilating in-situ and satellite data. BLK MFC gathers expertise in the field of ocean analysis and forecast in the Black Sea, brings together knowledge of the regional Black Sea dynamics, and enhances technical links with other CMEMS components and strong connection with the MED MFC.
Moreover, BLK MFC’s objectives include the planning and efficient implementation of system upgrades, product quality, and support to the production of the Ocean State Report (OSR) and Ocean Monitoring Indicators (OMI).
General aims
This contract is part of the Copernicus Marine Service phase 2 (2025–2028) and focuses on delivering ocean analysis and forecasting products to be integrated into the Copernicus Marine Service. Specifically, the service will provide real-time and delayed-time physical, wave, and biogeochemical products for the Black Sea.
The BLK MFC is structured into three main components:
• Blk-PHY: Responsible for physical products.
• Blk-BGC: Responsible for biogeochemical products.
• Blk-WAV: Responsible for wave products.
The BLK MFC is led by Atanas Palazov (IO-BAS), with Rita Lecci (CMCC) serving as Deputy Leader.
CMCC role
The CMCC Foundation serves as the Deputy Representative Member of the Consortium and holds responsibility for the following:
• The BLK MFC Service Desk,
• The Blk-PHY Production Unit and its Archiving Unit,
• The Back-Up Unit for both Blk-BGC and Blk-WAV.
Activities
The primary activities of the Black Sea service are organized into the following categories:
1. System Evolution and Implementation
2. Data Production and Operations:
a. Near Real Time (NRT) products
b. Multi-Year (MP) products
3. Product Quality
4. Service Desk
5. Cross-Cutting Activities:
a. Ocean State Report (OSR) working group
b. Ocean Monitoring Indicators (OMI) working group
6. Management and Reporting
Expected results
The Black Sea MFC Delivers:
• Analysis: Covering the previous two years.
• Forecasts: Extending up to 10 days into the future.
• Reanalysis:
– Physics: Initialized in 1993.
– Biogeochemistry: Initialized in 1992.
– Waves: Initialized in 1950.
• Reanalysis-Interim:
– Initialized using the latest available reanalysis and extended monthly.
These products provide comprehensive ocean physical, biogeochemical, and wave variables for the entire Black Sea region.
Partners
Fondazione Centro Euro-Mediterraneo sui Cambiamenti Climatici (CMCC, IT),
Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon (HEREON, DE), Modeling and Analysis for Reliable Information to Nurture
Environmental Sustainability and Services Srl. (MARINES, BE), Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski” (USOF, BG), National Institute of Hydrology and Water Management (NIHWM, RO).