Pont del Petroli
The Pont del Petroli is a unique coastal infrastructure: a former disused pier located on an open beach, extending approximately 240 metres offshore to a water depth of around 10–12 metres. It is currently used socially as a seaside promenade and, at the same time, as a scientific platform for marine and environmental research.
This facility is the first of its kind in the European Union, with only a few international equivalents, such as HORS in Japan or the Duck pier in the USA, which are dedicated exclusively to scientific purposes.
The main objectives of the project are to use the pier as a research and environmental observation platform for studies related to climate change, alternative energy, coastal dynamics and the quality of the marine environment.
The Pont del Petroli offers the possibility of incorporating meteo-oceanographic instrumentation, such as directional wave radar, water temperature and conductivity probes, among others. This equipment can be complemented with additional instruments during specific research campaigns.
| Main characteristics of the Pont del Petroli |
| Parameter | Description / Value | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| Total length | 240 m | Coastal infrastructure located on an open beach |
| Water depth | 10.0–12.0 m | Maximum water depth at the foot of the platform at the end of the walkway |
| Height above the free surface | 6.0 m | Open-water area suitable for oceanographic observations |
| Current use | Public promenade and research platform | First hybrid social-scientific coastal infrastructure in Europe |
| Permanent equipment | Meteorological station, current meter, directional wave radar, T–C probes | Real-time monitoring of environmental conditions |
| Available data | Water and air temperature, solar radiation, sea state, water quality | Public access through the LIM/UPC website |
| Power supply | Electrical connection and auxiliary solar power supply | Ensures continuous operation of sensors and data transmission |
| Mooring structures | Fixed and mobile systems for additional instrumentation | Used in temporary research campaigns, including buoys and submerged sensors |
| Measurement equipment | Meteorological sensors, velocimeters, multiparameter probes, cameras and telemetry systems | Remote monitoring and real-time data acquisition |
Installed measurement equipment that provides meteorological and oceanographic data, useful both for scientific research and for beach users.
The pier stands 6 m above sea level and extends 250 m from the coast. At the monitoring station location, the water depth is approximately 12 m.
The geometry of the Pont del Petroli structure facilitates its use as a measurement platform.
The sensors installed below the surface measure oceanographic parameters.
Recovery, Transformation and Resilience Plan - Funded by the European Union – NextGenerationEU within the framework of the project "iCIEM 2.0 - Towards an Integrated Environmental Simulator (Laboratory and Observations)"
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