ADRICOSM-STAR - WP2 Data collection program

WP2 Data collection program

The aim is to carry out process oriented data collection experiments to collect the relevant data sets for model validation and calibration in WP4 and prepare for the monitoring phase of WP3
After the analysis of the historical data sets is done, new observations will be collected to fill in the gaps and to gather relevant new observations for model validation/calibration. This phase is a precursor phase for the design of the permanent real time monitoring system to be implemented in WP3. The new instruments will be procured and used for the first time in the process oriented studies of this workpackage and then used for the long term monitoring. The satellite and VOS monitoring systems will be upgraded in this workpackage.

During the first year all the documents for the procurement of an automatic station Q-liner for river flow monitoring, as well as for two stations for water quality measurement were prepared after detailed techincal-economical analysis of the different instruments and of the monitoring needs.

After the collection and analysis of the historical data sets undertaken in WP1, new observations have already started to fill in the gaps and to gather relevant new observations for model validation/calibration: two oceanographic campaigns have already taken place and the high resolution bathymetric campaigns are being definde in all their details.

The preliminary work of validation of existing algorithms for CDOM, TSM, K490 and chlorophyll form the satellite monitoring system,

Map of the stations during the two oceanographic cruises (November 2007 and January

necessary for algoithms upgrades, is going on. Also the upgrades on T-Flap probes for the in situ VOS monitoring of temperature and fluorescence has started and has given the first results.

Surface distribution of temperature (°C), salinity (psu), density (kg/m³) and fluorescence (RFU) during January 2008 cruise.

This phase is a precursor phase for the design of the permanent real time monitoring system to be implemented in WP3. The new instruments will be procured and used for the first time in the process oriented studies of this workpackage and then used for the long term monitoring.

During the second year a lot of new instruments for environmental monitoring have been procured and installed by the local partners, such as:

2 water quality stations (installed in Bokakotorska Bay and Bojana River)
2 hydrological stations (Bar and Fraskanjel)
1 flow monitoring station
1 portable water quality probe
2 plankton nets, 1 Fume cupboard, 1 Water bath, 1 Water still
1 Rosette for CTD measurements
1 underwater video system

A new 32-node cluster, for computational purposes, has been procured and installed at the Hydrometeorological Insitute of Montenegro.

Old and new look of station in Fraskanjel

Two extremely important bathymetric and sedimentological cruises have been carried on to acquire information on the bathymetry, seismology, and sedimentological features of Bokakotorska bay and of Montenegrin coastal strip.

Bays of Kotor and Risan. Bathymetry by multibeam, this survey

Two mesoscale seasonal oceanographic surveys have been carried on necessarily for the collection of basic hydrological and biochemical datasets. This in order to map the seasonal variability of the shelf area and to calibrate and validate the oceanographic models. Two more surveys are expected in 2009.

Surface distribution of temperature (°C) and salinity (psu), during the first mesoscale survey (11-12 May 2008).

Real time river flow and quality monitoring have started thanks to the new procured instruments. Water quality monitoring activity of Ulcinj sewage system, which was scheduled for the second year, has been done and will continue next year.
The earlier consolidated in situ monitoring activity of the sea through voluntary observing ships (VOS) is continuing and a new monitoring instrument (T-FLAP) for temperature and fluorescence measurements has been developed and tested, giving good results.
The monitoring of the meteo-marine parameters from VOS has been successfully implemented and calibrated, transmitting data in real time. The monitoring activity from satellite are also proceeding, and new algorithms for the interpretation of satellite images have been implemented and tested, thanks to field activity at sea to collect data for algorithm validation.

Sonic anemometer, thermo hygrometer and meteorological station installed on “Venezia” ferry - VOS Cruise

Example of a T-Flap probe (left) and TFLAP sampled chlorophyll a (right).

In general the monitoring activities are all well under way, and the foundations to build an environmental monitoring network have been set up.