Best Practices for the Ocean Moored Observatories

Abstract

Real-time spatio-temporal meteorological and oceanographic data, from the Ocean moored observatories, are essential for the precise forecast of the ocean state, climate variability studies and reliable weather prediction. Precise spatio-temporal measurement of subsurface parameters such as temperature, salinity and current are essential to understand the intra-seasonal and inter-annual evolution of monsoons and tropical cyclones. To cater to this time-critical information, moored observatories have to continuously be operational in the harsh marine environment to measure these essential ocean variables. However, bio-fouling and corrosion limits the life time and accuracy of the highly precise measuring instruments. Thus, best practices in these moored observations are essential for long term accurate and cost-effective ocean observation. The Indian moored buoy network which has been operational since 1997, has been providing quality data over the past decade. This paper describes the best operational practices and quality control processes followed in the Indian moored buoy system design, sensor calibration, testing, integration, deployment, retrieval, and data quality control over the past two decades, which has helped to achieve an average meteorological data return of 90%.

Sustenance of Indian Moored Buoy Network During COVID-19 Pandemic – A Saga of Perseverance

“…IDAS is meticulously designed in-house to work in marine conditions, activates the respective sensors at pre-determined intervals, and logs the received data. The raw data is processed, encrypted, and is sent through the satellite to the shore-based data reception center and stores highfrequency data (Venkatesan et al, 2018a). The reduced power processor with sleep mode provisions and multi-level watchdog timers protect the IDAS from software hang-ups and ensured higher endurance.…”

“…(h) Best Practice Methods: The endurance and performance of remote platforms in the harsh marine environment can be optimally maximized by following the best-practice methods without compromising the quality of the system. The quality of measurement is ensured in NIOT-OMNI buoys by following the best-practice methods (Venkatesan et al, 2018a) evolved over the years of services in maintaining the moored buoy network in the Indian Seas. (i) Rapid Data Transmission: The remote ocean observation platforms are in general configured to acquire data at a higher frequency, i.e., at 1 min, which is stored internally and transmit at a lower frequency, i.e., at 3 h. The highfrequency data is available after the retrieval of the buoy system, which varies between 6 months to more than a year.…”

A first assessment of particle flux over the South Brazil Bight continental slope

“…Por fim, vale ressaltar que materiais metálicos instalados no ambiente marinho estão sujeitos à corrosão galvânica. Para isso, é usual a instalação de "ânodos de sacrifício", geralmente de zinco, para controlar a corrosão sofrida pelos materiais (maiores detalhes em Venkatesan et al, 2018). Foi necessário aliviar a tensão do cabo para que as manilhas pudessem passar pelo cabrestante.…”

Contribution of Remote Sensing Technologies to a Holistic Coastal and Marine Environmental Management Framework: A Review

“…These sensors can measure upwellings [79], oil spills [79], water quality, fish behaviour [80], and storm detection [81]. They can also be used as biosensors for monitoring marine contaminants [82] and many other applications [83]. However, as they are typically fixed sensors, each individual sensor delivers only local observations.…”