In situ monitoring of eutrophication
Introduction
In situ monitoring is the observation and / or measurement of events in its original place (Latin: situs).[1]Oceanographic instruments containing different types of sensors are used to monitor eutrophication in coastal waters. Sensors detect and respond to electrical or optical signals and convert the physical, chemical or biological parameter into a signal which can be measured electrically.[2] The easiest way to measure environmental parameters is to take a water sample and analyze it in the laboratory. Disadvantages are that only a limited number of samples can be processed and information on temporal variations is limited. Sensors however gather data more quickly and record it accurately. These data are converted to a digital form and are processed at high speed. The data are subsequently retrieved and processed whenever and however the scientist wants. Alternatively, sensor technology can display graphs of data in "real time", the graph is constructed as the data is being collected, and the graph is then modified on the screen as the data is processed.
Parameters
In this section we focus only on the parameters that need to be monitored in the OSPAR Eutrophication Monitoring Programme
- Nutrients
- Temperature
- Salinity
- Phytoplankton chlorophyll-a
- Phytoplankton indicator species
- O2-concentration
- Macrophytes
- Benthic communities
Oceanographic instruments
CTD
References
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