SmartBuoy observational network - Liverpool Bay

On the SmartBuoy, surface measurements of plant nutrient concentrations are derived from two instruments. The NAS-3X in-situ nutrient analyser takes hourly measurements of nitrate concentration, while lower frequency (daily) measurements of nitrate and silicate concentration are derived from laboratory analysis of water samples collected and preserved by the WMS-2 water sampler. An estimate of phytoplankton concentration (biomass) is obtained twice per hour using a fluorometer measuring chlorophyll fluorescence. To aid interpretation of these data, SmartBuoy also takes measurements of conductivity, temperature, suspended sediment concentration, light penetration with the ESM2 logger. Data are telemetered every two hours using ORBCOMM satellite telemetry. The Liverpool Bay SmartBuoy is located at 53.5345 N, 3.3573 W. It started logging in November 2002 and is still operational.