EMECO

SmartBuoy

SmartBuoy one of a series of self contained and automated systems for high frequency, multi-parameter, data collection.

SmartBuoy are moored observational platforms designed to make sustained and near continuous measurements of a suite of physical, chemical and biological variables. They carry a number of self calibrating sensors and provide real time data.

SmartBuoy typically measure conductivity, temperature, pressure, chlorophyll fluorescence, suspended particle load, nutrient concentration, salinity, and phytoplankton abundance and species composition.

A number of SmartBuoys, currently 4, are placed in the coastal waters of UK with 1 placed Netherlands coastal waters as part of a near real-time operational monitoring network.

We now have up to 8 years of near continuous data on a range of ecosystem indicators and environmental control variables. The measurements are primarily used to provide data for assessments of eutrophic status but also provide valuable information on current status and changes in ecosystem structure and functioning.

Other SmartBuoy data applications include improved understanding of environmental variability and its oceanic impacts, development of early warning and forecasting systems, monitoring changes in marine biodiversity, and improvements of model validation and testing.

More information about SmartBuoy Monitoring