HELMHOLTZ-ZENTRUM GEESTHACHT

FerryBoxMonitoring of Coastal Waters

FerryBox data:http://ferrydata.hzg.de

COSYNA:http://www.cosyna.de

FerryBox Data & Satellite Images

FerryBox data can be used to calibrate satellite data and the other way round satellite measurements expand the view to larger areas.

Summary FerryBox Systems

Ferrybox systems provide a reliable tool for cost-eff ective monitoring and management. The main advantages in contrast to buoys and other fi xed plattforms are:• easier maintenance• high resolution of data in space and time with transboundary

nature• long-term reliable data due to more eff ective antifouling

measures• no energy limitations and “friendly” environment for the

system due to inline sensors• possibility to operate newly developed (less robust) sensors

Ferrybox data are useful for operational oceanography and for improvement of numerical models (including data assimilation) and remote sensing. The systems off er large potentials for a wider European contribution to GOOS.

The limitations of FerryBoxes are the restriction to the transect and that only surface water can be sampled.

Further Information

FerryBox system: http://www.ferrybox.de

FerryBox community:http://www.ferrybox.org

Reference:

Petersen, W., Schroeder, F., and Bockelmann, F.-D.(2011) Ferry-Box – application of continuous water quality observations along transects in the North Sea. Ocean Dynamics 61: 1541–1554

Contact

Helmholtz-Zentrum GeesthachtCentre for Materials and Coastal ResearchInstitute of Coastal Research Max-Planck-Strasse 121502 GeesthachtTel.: +49 4152 87-2358Fax: +49 4152 87-2366email: wilhelm.petersen@hzg.dewww.hzg.de

FerryBoxes within Coastal Observatories

The FerryBoxes are one of the major components of the coastal observatory COSYNA (Coastal Observing System for Northern and Arctic Seas). The principal goal of COSYNA is the construction of a long-term observatory for the German Bight (North Sea). COSYNA pursues the integrated approach to combine observations and numerical modelling in one system. COSYNA aims to reduce the gap between operational oceanography and the various users of data and forecasts of the state of the North Sea, e.g. in science, administration, fi shery, renewable energies, tourism, and nature protection.In addition to the underway systems in COSYNA FerryBox systems are also installed at fi xed platforms. The FerryBox activities are embedded in European programms such as the JERICO project (www.jerico-fp7.eu) and MyOcean (www.myocean.eu.org).

FerryBox Routes within COSYNA

TorDania: Cuxhaven <- > ImminghamFunnyGirl: Büsum/Cuxhaven <- > Helgoland LysBris: Hamburg - > Cuxhaven - > Chatham - > Bilbao - > Immingham - > Moss/Halden - > Hamburg

Concept

The FerryBox is an automated system used for measuring of physi-cal and biogeochemical parameters in surface waters. It is mounted on ‘ships of opportunity’, such as ferries or container ships, on their regular routes across the North Sea or on shore-based installations. Water is pumped from a subsurface inlet into the measuring circuit of multiple sensors. An important feature is the regular automated cleaning and antifouling procedure of the box. Data are transmitted and made available after each transect via the Internet. The regular transects of biogeochemical observations give detailed insights into the processes and can be used for data assimilation into models.

Scheme of a FerryBox SystemMain Features:• controlled by GPS• automatic and remote-controlled operation from shore• automatic cleaning and rinsing for critical sensors• high safety by automatic supervision of system• position-controlled automatic water sampling• easily expandible for new sensors (e.g. algal species etc.)

Parameters

Basic Oceanographic:• conductivity/salinity• turbidity• dissolved oxygen• water temperature

Future• high precision pH (optical) • alkalinity

Biological-chemical:• chlorophyll-a fl uorescence• algal groups• nutrients (NOx, NH4, o-PO4, Si)• pH & pCO2

UV- Nitrate

Algal Classes

Cro

ssflo

w-F

ilter

Outlet

Inlet

Turb.

O2pH.

Salinity

Chl

orop

hyll

Sensors

Removal of Sediment

Remote Control, Data-Storage,Data-Transfer

GPS-Position

Debubbler

filtrate

Cleaning

sulfuricacid

tap water pressure cleaning

Cro

ssflo

wFi

lter

Chemical Analyzers(NO3, NH4, o-PO4, SiO2)

AutomatedcooledSampler

GSM/GPRSMobilePhone

pCO2

Results from Measurements

FerryBox route and data (salinity, nitrate, o-phosphate and silicate) from a single transect from Halden (NO) to Cuxhaven (DE)in March 2011 compared with automatically collected bottle samples (dots) analysed in the lab.

Pooled salinity (upper panel) and oxygen saturation index (lower panel) transect data along the Immingham to Cuxhaven route from August 2010 to December 2011.

Pooled salinity (upper panel) and oxygen saturation index (lower panel) transect data along the Immingham to Cuxhaven route from August 2010 to December 2011.