Project I.2.2: In-situ interdisciplinary stations
Project Name: In-situ interdisciplinary stations
Project Leads: Field team, with scientific oversight of a team of investigators (Baptista, Needoba and Peterson)
Web: http://www.stccmop.org/datamart/observation_network
Project Description
Project I.2.2a-d: In-situ interdisciplinary stations SATURN 01-04
Project Summary
Four fixed stations in the Columbia River Estuary operate as interdisciplinary, multi-instrument platforms that telemeter data in near-real time. Stations are named SATURN-01, SATURN-02, SATURN-03, and SATURN-04 and are each located in a representative region of the estuary in order to provide coverage of the plume (02), the North Channel (01), the South Channel (03) and the inland bays (04). Each station is uniquely designed to take advantage of geographical and infrastructure resources that allow for: continuous shore power (01, 03), vertical resolution (01, 03, 04), telemetry (all stations), and relative ease in sensor maintenance (all). Common sensors across all interdisciplinary stations provide measurements of: temperature, salinity, chlorophyll, turbidity, nitrate, and oxygen. In addition, the platforms are designed to be used for advanced sensor deployments to provide measurements of variable phytoplankton fluorescence, ammonium, inorganic phosphate, silicic acid, colored dissolved organic matter, sediment size, particle images, and microbial genetic information.
Fit in program
The interdisciplinary stations support many goals and themes of the CMOP mission but are particularly important for advancing the framing science hypothesis since the stations provide data that can resolve short-term variability, temporal and spatial gradients, and seasonal changes in chemistry and biology of the estuary. In addition, the SATURN 01-04 stations provide the means to advance sensor development and provide data for ecological modeling projects.
Outcomes
Data (real-time and archival)
Project I.2.2f: In-situ interdisciplinary stations – SATURN-05
Project Summary
SATURN-05 is a planned station for river mile 53 (commonly referred to as the Beaver Army Terminal site). The station uses the commercially available LOBO platform (Land/Ocean Biogeochemical Observatory) that makes measurements of nitrate, chlorophyll, oxygen, turbidity, temperature, salinity, and colored dissolved organic matter. Data is transmitted via the wireless cellular network. The instrument platform is ideal for the remote deployment in the Columbia River since it is engineered to resist biofouling and geofouling and can operate with batteries for several months without significant maintenance requirements. SATURN-05 has been extensively tested in Mott Basin during Y3 and is scheduled for deployment at the USGS water quality monitoring site near the Beaver Army Terminal in June 2009.
Fit in program
The SATURN-05 station relies on important industry collaborations with Wet Labs and Satlantic – two leading companies involved with ocean observing technology. In addition, the deployment requires collaboration with the USGS and serves as an important step forward in coupling USGS water quality time series projects with the CMOP collaborator activities. In addition, the data from the LOBO mooring is easily compared to similar data from other LOBO moorings located throughout North America and can be used to compare the Columbia River water quality measurements with other regions.
Outcomes
High resolution data set of the Columbia River that will complement the USGS NASQAN water quality monitoring program.
Project I.2.2f: In-situ interdisciplinary stations – SATURN-06
Project Description
SATURN 06 was designed and deployed (January 21st, 2009) to fit within the parameters and scope of a collaborative project (initiated by CMOP investigators) with the USGS and the City of Portland water quality research efforts. SATURN 06 consists of a YSI 6600-V2 water quality sonde that is installed under the Morrison Street Bridge in downtown Portland, Oregon. The sensors are regularly maintained, calibrated, and quality checked by CMOP researches using USGS protocols, and therefore the sensor data is also directly incorporated into the USGS database. Water quality data from the SATURN-06 site serves as a river ‘end-member’ of the SATURN collaboratory that will better define the biogeochemical signals detected downstream at SATURN 05 in the Columbia River.
Fit in program
SATURN 06 is the most inland node of the SATURN collaboratory. The site serves as a physical and symbolic hub for water quality research in the urban region of the Columbia River Estuary ecosystem. Research projects focused on the Willamette River and its tributaries are currently supported through CMOP and leverage the collaborations developed with USGS as a result of the SATURN 06 deployment. In addition, other opportunities are underway as a result of the SATURN 06 project, including the planned deployment of a Wet Labs phosphate sensor at the site in summer 2009.
Outcomes
The opportunities afforded by a close collaboration with USGS in the region expand the scope and increase the visibility of water quality measurements within the CMOP program. The data from SATURN 06 will contribute directly to a student thesis on water quality of the Willamette River and its tributaries (Goldman).
