Shelf Sea Biogeochemistry - CANDYFLOSS SmartBuoy

This data set consists of biogeochemical sensor data from SmartBuoy moorings (Mills et al, 2005). SmartBuoys consist of a 4 meter tall stainless steel frame with a fibreglass torroid for buoyancy. Instruments are attached at a nominal 1 meter depth to the frame. In-air sensors are mounted to the top of the torroid. The buoys feature a satellite telemetry system providing near real-time telemetry. Temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen, chlorophyll fluorescence, turbidity and photosynthetic active radiation (PAR) sensors were fitted to a Cefas ESM2 data logger. These instruments gathered data for 5 minutes every 30 minutes. Sensors were validated against in-situ samples during deployment and recovery. The buoy was also fitted with a water sampler which took periodic samples into pre-spiked (HgCl2) bags for later nutrient analysis. The in-situ salinity and nutrients samples are quality controlled via the Quality Assurance for Marine Environmental Measurements (QUASIMEME) scheme. PAR sensors were calibrated against a standard lamp. Fluorometers were standardised using fluorosphere beads. Turbidity meters were calibrated using Stabical (Hach, US). This mooring was also fitted with a thermistor string (multiple temperature sensors at various depth), this data is held by BODC. The data were collected as part of the Shelf Sea Biogeochemistry (SSB) research programme as part work package 1. SSB was co-funded by the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra). The programme took a holistic approach to the cycling of nutrients and carbon and the controls on primary and secondary production in UK and European shelf seas, to increase understanding of these processes and their role in wider biogeochemical cycles.