Data

Ocean Optics:
Observing ocean biogeochemistry with optics

View Student's Final Projects from "Observing ocean biogeochemistry with optics" course!!

Dirk Aurin
Andy Canion
Alexander Dadashev
Brian Gaas
Benjamin Hodges
Tiho Kostadinov
Keleigh McAllister
Eric Rehm
Mei Sato
Michael Sauer
Wayne Slade
Pauline Stephen
Mary Ann Tiffany
Julia Uitz
Peng Wang
Timothy Wynne

Why Ocean Observatories?

Major advances in our understanding of the oceans are currently limited by our ability to make sustained observations over large areas. Continuous, long-term measurements of physical, chemical, geological, and biological variables in the oceans and the seafl oor below are required to understand trends and cyclic changes and to capture episodic events such as major earthquakes and harmful algal blooms. Enhanced capabilities for making sustained measurements of the ocean will open up new research opportunities and lead to improved detection and forecasting of environmental changes and their effects on biodiversity, coastal ecosystems, and climate. These advances will provide the tools for improved management of ocean resources such as fisheries, and better-informed decisions on the use of the coastal zone for recreation, development, and commerce. (Ocean Observatories Initiaitive, 2003)

Biogeochemical Processes, Proxies, and Measurements

Process Component
Proxy
Optical Proxy /
Measurement
Light
Irradiance
Irradiance sensors
Biomass
Chlorophyll,
Fluorescence
Fluorometer,
Spectral fluorometer
Nutrients
Nitrates
Nitrate sensor
Physiology
Absorption, Attenuation
Oxygen
a, c
O2 sensor
Temperature
Temperature
CTD
Mixing
T, S, s, depth
CTD
Composition
Particle size, composition
Beam-cp
Scattering: bbp, bp ,bbp/bp
A wide range of laboratory and in-situ instrumention is used to study real ocean processes via biogeochemical proxies. The Class Dock Observatory was set up to monitor conditions in the Damariscotta River at the Darling Marine Center. Data is being uploaded in real time or you can look through archived data - check it out!

Biogeochemical Observations


 

Data collected at the Ocean Optics Class Dock Observatory is now here!!! The Class Dock Observatory was set up to monitor conditions in the Damariscotta River at the Darling Marine Center. The CDO is curently outfitted with a Wetlabs BB2F which measures chlorophyll fluorescence and optical backscatter at two wavelengths. Data is being uploaded in real time or you can look through archived data - check it out!

The Perry Phytoplankton and Optics Lab at the Darling Marine Center also monitors conditions at the Class Dock Observatory. See their dock sampling program for more information about the area including chlorophyll concentrations, phytoplankton community composition and photosynethetically available radiation (PAR) data.

Other useful sites related to the Class Dock Obervatory include:
Damariscotta Weather
Tidal data in East Boothbay



Darling Marine Center
University of Maine
193 Clark's Cove Rd.
Walpole, Maine 04573 – 3307, USA
(207) 563-3146

http://www.dmc.maine.edu