138
Redundant, overlapping, and complementary platform/instrument combinations
will provide for a more robust observing system. For surface ocean current measurements for example, availability of both a HF radar system and in situ current meters
will allow mutual validation during operation of both systems and a fallback capability in case of failure of one or the other. Similarly, surface wave-powered vehicles
or submersible glider transects can be planned so as to traverse the vicinity of fixed
assets for data validation. Data from existing expeditionary serial observing efforts
can profitably be incorporated into the observing system’s products and autonomous
vehicles can similarly be programmed to traverse such observing stations.
8.2.2 Platform Site Selection and Regulatory Constraints
Single-point measurements at dock sites or on cabled nearshore pilings will prove
to be the least expensive solutions for mounting and operating autonomous instruments. Ocean Data Acquisition (ODAS) buoys may provide high-quality surface
and vertical profile data. However, such systems are expensive to operate and maintain so their number will necessarily be limited. System siting, to be as representative of local conditions as possible, is consequently of utmost importance. Prior
knowledge of local water mass movements and water residence times can aid significantly in choosing appropriate deployment sites for ODAS buoys. Knowledge of
the nature and number of stakeholders to be served by a particular ODAS buoy will
serve to further prioritize deployment sites. Likewise, as discussed previously,
knowledge of bottom community composition will aid in selecting sites where environmental impact is minimized.
Site Selection Strategies for ODAS Buoys in Puerto Rico and the US
Virgin Islands
ODAS buoy site selection in the Puerto Rico (PR) and the US Virgin Islands
(USVI) archipelago is instructive. These Islands share a common insular platform formed by the Antillean Arc. The islands face the open western tropical
Atlantic Ocean (WTA) to the north and the Caribbean Sea to the south. Ocean
conditions can be dramatically different in these two basins. Whereas the
WTA basin is characterized by very clear oligotrophic surface waters, a deep
pycnocline (reaching down to 100 m and beyond) and powerful long period
winter swells, Caribbean surface waters are for most of the year, under the
influence of Amazon and Orinoco River waters and thus exhibit shallow pycnoclines (tens of meters), higher CDOM content, and more abundant phytoplankton. The Caribbean surface wave spectrum, largely conditioned by trade
wind forcing, is dominated by moderate wave heights and shorter periods
save for the occasional hurricane when monstrous waves may occur.
Accordingly, in planning the CariCOOS network, initial ODAS buoys were
deployed on either of these coasts of Puerto Rico to provide representative
(continued)
8 Planning, Implementation, and Operation of Coastal Ocean Observing Systems
Redundant, overlapping, and complementary platform/instrument combinations
will provide for a more robust observing system. For surface ocean current measurements for example, availability of both a HF radar system and in situ current meters
will allow mutual validation during operation of both systems and a fallback capability in case of failure of one or the other. Similarly, surface wave-powered vehicles
or submersible glider transects can be planned so as to traverse the vicinity of fixed
assets for data validation. Data from existing expeditionary serial observing efforts
can profitably be incorporated into the observing system’s products and autonomous
vehicles can similarly be programmed to traverse such observing stations.
8.2.2 Platform Site Selection and Regulatory Constraints
Single-point measurements at dock sites or on cabled nearshore pilings will prove
to be the least expensive solutions for mounting and operating autonomous instruments. Ocean Data Acquisition (ODAS) buoys may provide high-quality surface
and vertical profile data. However, such systems are expensive to operate and maintain so their number will necessarily be limited. System siting, to be as representative of local conditions as possible, is consequently of utmost importance. Prior
knowledge of local water mass movements and water residence times can aid significantly in choosing appropriate deployment sites for ODAS buoys. Knowledge of
the nature and number of stakeholders to be served by a particular ODAS buoy will
serve to further prioritize deployment sites. Likewise, as discussed previously,
knowledge of bottom community composition will aid in selecting sites where environmental impact is minimized.
Site Selection Strategies for ODAS Buoys in Puerto Rico and the US
Virgin Islands
ODAS buoy site selection in the Puerto Rico (PR) and the US Virgin Islands
(USVI) archipelago is instructive. These Islands share a common insular platform formed by the Antillean Arc. The islands face the open western tropical
Atlantic Ocean (WTA) to the north and the Caribbean Sea to the south. Ocean
conditions can be dramatically different in these two basins. Whereas the
WTA basin is characterized by very clear oligotrophic surface waters, a deep
pycnocline (reaching down to 100 m and beyond) and powerful long period
winter swells, Caribbean surface waters are for most of the year, under the
influence of Amazon and Orinoco River waters and thus exhibit shallow pycnoclines (tens of meters), higher CDOM content, and more abundant phytoplankton. The Caribbean surface wave spectrum, largely conditioned by trade
wind forcing, is dominated by moderate wave heights and shorter periods
save for the occasional hurricane when monstrous waves may occur.
Accordingly, in planning the CariCOOS network, initial ODAS buoys were
deployed on either of these coasts of Puerto Rico to provide representative
(continued)
8 Planning, Implementation, and Operation of Coastal Ocean Observing Systems