A report on the Red Funnel FerryBox 2004 - an overview of the data obtained, improvements and calibration procedures

Abstract

This report aims to provide a complete record of the work done as part of the ‘FerryBox’ activities on the Red Funnel Ltd ‘Red Falcon’ ferry in Southampton Water and the Solent in 2004. The procedures, hardware and software used are described and listed in detail. The results are summarised. Details are provided of the content and location of all of the data files produced, both observational data and data collected to calibrate the instruments. The collection of high quality, long term data in as many environments as possible is required to investigate the interplay of different factors affecting phytoplankton bloom development. With this in mind the Southampton Water and Solent estuarine system has been intensively monitored over the last 6 years using the FerryBox system. The ferry travels the length of the estuary up to 16 times a day. The ‘FerryBox’ suite of sensors measures
temperature, salinity, fluorescence and turbidity. These data are collected with at a frequency of 1Hz and are merged with position data, collected using a GPS system.

In 2004 the FerryBox methods were improved to reduce the affects of bio fouling on the sensors. The sensors were systematically cleaned and the sensors calibrated during weekly ferry crossings. Calibrations of the turbidity and fluorescence sensors were monitored using materials suspended in solid Perspex blocks. The sensors were found to be stable and a high quality dataset was produced. Variations were seen in the ratio of fluorescence to chlorophyll throughout the estuary and with the time of year. Using the ‘FerryBox’ dataset the occurrence of phytoplankton blooms has been related to environmental factors such as light and to the tides. Such continuous monitoring allows us to pinpoint the timings of phytoplankton bloom initiation and duration. In 2004 a series of regular peaks in
fluorescence occurred throughout the summer months. The detailed data from the FerryBox allows the occurrence of these blooms to be correlated with changes in the tidal energy of the system, light and fresh water run off.

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