Continuous High Resolution Shore Station Temperature and Salinity Data From Granite Canyon, California
(NOAA Technical Memorandum).
Current Status of Accomplishment or Milestone: To test the feasibility of using a moored electronic conductivity-temperature measuring probes (CT-probes) in maintaining long time-series measurements at shore stations, PFEL personnel installed a CT-probe sub-tidally at Granite Canyon, 11 kilometers north of Pt. Sur on the central California coast. The 40-month test deployment, initiated in March 1995, is the subject of the technical memorandum NOAA-TM-NMFS-SWFSC-285 (954 K) .
Background: The shore station network along the Pacific coast of the United States was initiated more than 70 years ago. In 1971, the shore station at Granite Canyon became part of the network. Soon after, daily measurements were begun at Granite Canyon and it became evident that this station has unique connections to the open ocean and is not greatly influenced by inshore processes. Therefore, it is of substantial interest to central California environmental scientists to maintain the sequence of routine measurements. Because this location is important and the daily bucket measurements are becoming less frequent due to reassignment of lab personnel, the Granite Canyon location was an ideal place for trial CT-probe installation.
Purpose of Activity/Goal of Project: The project had two goals. First, to test the feasibility of using a CT-probe fixed in natural coastal pool. The second goal was to examine the high resolution CT-probe data and look at frequencies between 1 and 48 hours that are not be resolved in once-a-day bucket measurements.
Description of Accomplishment and Significant Results: Alternation of two CT-probes provided nearly continuous data collection during the test period. Data problems caused by power-loss, contamination by bubbles, and bio-fouling were examined and progress made toward ameliorating data degradation from these sources.
Significance of Accomplishment (e.g., to the Center, to Management, and to NMFS Strategic plan Goals): The results are significant in that they present alternate and improved methods of obtaining continuous monitoring of the environment of protected and exploited marine species: They provide important adjustments to model derived parameters of environmental variability.
Problems: The largest technical problem is fouling of the salinity cells. Optimally, CT-probe and 2 to 3 per week bucket/salinometer salinity measurements will yield the most precise and accurate environmental data.
Key Contact: Jerry Norton (831-648-9031, jnorton@pfeg.noaa.gov).