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Monitoring estuaries using non-permanent stations: practical aspects and data examples

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Abstract

This paper deals with the performances of non-permanent environmental monitoring stations when recording at high-sampling interval (hour) over a long term (months, years) within estuarine waters. Information about data quality and system maintenance requirements are provided based on the experience gained with an autonomous station deployed during 2 years at the Guadiana Estuary (southern Portugal–Spain border). The station includes (1) a multi-parameter probe for water quality (temperature, conductivity, dissolved oxygen, turbidity, chlorophyll and pH) inserted in a tube through a surface-floating buoy; and, (2) a bottom-mounted current meter. The main issues for the continuous acquisition of valid data were biofouling on the optical (chlorophyll, turbidity, dissolved oxygen), conductivity sensors of the probe and high sediment dynamics at the bed. The definition of a detailed maintenance programme is required for the lengthening of (valid) data time series. The typical variability of the parameters is described at seasonal and tidal time scales and episodic events are identified (coastal upwelling and high freshwater inputs). These examples illustrate how integrated data analysis is fundamental to define and understand the changes induced by specific events on several interrelated parameters, and, more generally, how these systems can contribute to a better understanding of the hydro-ecological processes operating in estuaries.

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Acknowledgements

The authors are grateful to the Portuguese Hydrographic Institute for providing the offshore buoy data, to Instituto da Água for the freshwater discharge data and to Faro Airport Meteorological Station for the wind data. The SIMPATICO system was acquired through an FCT grant for the re-equipment of scientific institutions (Reeq/484/MAR/2005).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. CIMA (Centre for Marine and Environmental Research), Algarve University, Édificio 7, Campus de Gambelas, 8005-139, Faro, Portugal

    Erwan Garel & Óscar Ferreira

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  1. Erwan Garel
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  2. Óscar Ferreira
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Correspondence to Erwan Garel.

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Responsible Editor: Pierre-Marie Poulain

This article is part of the Topical Collection on Multiparametric observation and analysis of the Sea

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Garel, E., Ferreira, Ó. Monitoring estuaries using non-permanent stations: practical aspects and data examples. Ocean Dynamics 61, 891–902 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10236-011-0417-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10236-011-0417-4

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