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8.2 Planning Coastal Ocean Observing Systems
8.2.1 Instrument and Platform Selection
With data needs established and prioritized, an observing system may be designed
to meet these needs. Data needs and budgetary constraints established during prioritization exercises will help to select an appropriate and affordable suite of instruments and platforms for autonomous deployment and numerical models for
implementation.
Instruments most commonly specified for autonomous deployment center on
measurements of tides, temperature, salinity, wave height, period and direction, current speed and direction, wind speed and direction, optical properties, dissolved
oxygen, CO 2 partial pressure, pH, nutrients, hydrocarbons, chlorophyll a (Chl a),
and colored dissolved organic matter (CDOM). More sophisticated laboratory
analysis of phytoplankton samples may be important in regions prone to red tide
occurrence.
Price, performance, reliability, and availability of instruments and platforms may
vary widely and care must be taken in choosing the most appropriate. Shoddy
manufacture can result in poor data quality and significant down-time with the consequent data gaps. Care should thus be taken in choosing manufacturers and dealers.
Background checks of all suppliers should be undertaken prior to any purchase.
Reputable manufacturers and dealers will normally provide the prospective
customer with a list of previous customers whom the buyer is free to consult regarding equipment performance, promptness of delivery, and refurbishing and/or recalibration services and general responsiveness to user needs. Satisfied customers will
generally be voluble in their praise, while unsatisfied customers might be more reticent. While equipment manufactured and marketed by foreign firms may, at first
impression, prove attractive in terms of price and/or performance, procurement,
refurbishment, and repair of such equipment may face high shipping charges and
substantial hidden costs due to delays in shipping and service responding to foreign
and local customs procedures. The user of such equipment may face the need to
purchase backup units to fill these voids. However, even if the operator counts on
responsible suppliers, equipment redundancy is usually a necessity. ODAS buoys,
for example, are typically recovered and refurbished once a year. Equipment such
as temperature/salinity units normally require shipment to the manufacturer for
refurbishment and recalibration. Turn-around time for these procedures (including
shipping time) is on the order of weeks to months while ODAS buoy recycling,
from recovery to redeployment can be, barring unforeseen circumstances, a matter
of days to weeks. New or properly refurbished instruments must thus be on hand so
as not to delay redeployment. Standard practice is consequently to have a second
suite of instruments available for immediate installation on all buoys.
8.2 Planning Coastal Ocean Observing Systems
8.2 Planning Coastal Ocean Observing Systems
8.2.1 Instrument and Platform Selection
With data needs established and prioritized, an observing system may be designed
to meet these needs. Data needs and budgetary constraints established during prioritization exercises will help to select an appropriate and affordable suite of instruments and platforms for autonomous deployment and numerical models for
implementation.
Instruments most commonly specified for autonomous deployment center on
measurements of tides, temperature, salinity, wave height, period and direction, current speed and direction, wind speed and direction, optical properties, dissolved
oxygen, CO 2 partial pressure, pH, nutrients, hydrocarbons, chlorophyll a (Chl a),
and colored dissolved organic matter (CDOM). More sophisticated laboratory
analysis of phytoplankton samples may be important in regions prone to red tide
occurrence.
Price, performance, reliability, and availability of instruments and platforms may
vary widely and care must be taken in choosing the most appropriate. Shoddy
manufacture can result in poor data quality and significant down-time with the consequent data gaps. Care should thus be taken in choosing manufacturers and dealers.
Background checks of all suppliers should be undertaken prior to any purchase.
Reputable manufacturers and dealers will normally provide the prospective
customer with a list of previous customers whom the buyer is free to consult regarding equipment performance, promptness of delivery, and refurbishing and/or recalibration services and general responsiveness to user needs. Satisfied customers will
generally be voluble in their praise, while unsatisfied customers might be more reticent. While equipment manufactured and marketed by foreign firms may, at first
impression, prove attractive in terms of price and/or performance, procurement,
refurbishment, and repair of such equipment may face high shipping charges and
substantial hidden costs due to delays in shipping and service responding to foreign
and local customs procedures. The user of such equipment may face the need to
purchase backup units to fill these voids. However, even if the operator counts on
responsible suppliers, equipment redundancy is usually a necessity. ODAS buoys,
for example, are typically recovered and refurbished once a year. Equipment such
as temperature/salinity units normally require shipment to the manufacturer for
refurbishment and recalibration. Turn-around time for these procedures (including
shipping time) is on the order of weeks to months while ODAS buoy recycling,
from recovery to redeployment can be, barring unforeseen circumstances, a matter
of days to weeks. New or properly refurbished instruments must thus be on hand so
as not to delay redeployment. Standard practice is consequently to have a second
suite of instruments available for immediate installation on all buoys.
8.2 Planning Coastal Ocean Observing Systems