This data set consists of biogeochemical sensor data from SmartBuoy moorings
(Mills et al, 2005). SmartBuoys consist of a 4 meter tall stainless steel
frame with a fibreglass torroid for buoyancy. Instruments are attached at a
nominal 1 meter depth to the frame. In-air sensors are mounted to the top of
the torroid. The buoys feature a satellite telemetry system providing near
real-time telemetry. Temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen, chlorophyll
fluorescence, turbidity and photosynthetic active radiation (PAR) sensors
where fitted to a Cefas ESM2 data logger. These instruments gathered data for
5 minutes every 30 minutes. Sensors were validated against in-situ samples
during deployment and recovery. The buoy was also fitted with a water sampler
which took periodic samples into pre-spiked (MgCl2) bags for later nutrient
analysis. The in-situ salinity and nutrients samples are quality controlled
via the Quality Assurance for Marine Environmental Measurements (QUASIMEME)
scheme. PAR sensors were calibrated against a standard lamp. Fluorometers were
standardised using fluorosphere beads. Turbidity meters were calibrated using
Stabical (Hach, US). This mooring was also fitted with a thermistor string
(multiple temperature sensors at various depth), this data is held by BODC.
The data were collected as part of the Shelf Sea Biogeochemistry (SSB)
research programme as part work package 2. SSB was co-funded by the Natural
Environment Research Council (NERC) and the Department for Environment, Food
and Rural Affairs (Defra). The programme took a holistic approach to the
cycling of nutrients and carbon and the controls on primary and secondary
production in UK and European shelf seas, to increase understanding of these
processes and their role in wider biogeochemical cycles. This data represents
a snapshot of the wider Celtic Deep 2 SmartBuoy. The Celtic Deep SmartBuoy was
first deployed in 2009 under the Defra E5304 project. From 2014 the mooring
was maintained under the SSB project. This mooring was also fitted with a
thermistor string (multiple temperature sensors at various depth), this data
is held by BODC.
