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 were
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 (HgCl2) 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.
