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IMOSissue seven December 2009
The Southern Surveyor departed Hobart on September 22 to deploy a fully instrumented Pulse mooring designed to measure physical and biogeochemical properties that regulate oceanic uptake of atmospheric carbon dioxide. The deployment was sandwiched between recovery and redeployment of the SAZ sediment trap mooring that will simultaneously examine transport of carbon to the ocean interior in sinking particles. Timetables were short and as usual weather conditions were rough. Chief Scientist Tom Trull writes, “Overall, the working conditions were some of the most difficult that I have experienced, both in terms of the poor and very fatiguing weather and the heavy workload.”
The existing SAZ deep sediment trap mooring was recovered and redeployed adjacent to the new Pulse-6 mooring in the Subantarctic Zone southwest of Tasmania (near 47 S, 140 E). Analysis of the captured particles provides: quantification of carbon transports to the deep sea, modern analogs for interpretation of sedimentary records of environmental change, and samples for evaluation of the impacts such as ocean acidification.
The Pulse mooring design is the result of years of development to try to overcome the harsh environment of the Southern Ocean and provide a reliable platform for instruments deployed close to the surface yet isolated from the stresses of wave motion. Pulse 6 is the first version deployed with a full array of sensors and the water sampler. The sensors will measure temperature, salinity, mixed layer depth, photo synthetically active radiation, oxygen, total dissolved gases, and phytoplankton fluorescence and particulate backscatter (turbidity).
The Remote Access Sampler (RAS) water sampler was modified slightly so that sensors could be placed in the cage with it. The RAS will take 24 pairs of water samples over 6 months, with one sample in each pair analysed after recovery for chemical composition (dissolved phosphate, silicate, inorganic carbon, and total alkalinity) and the other used to identify the phytoplankton species that consume these substances and thus affect carbon dioxide uptake by the ocean.
Recovery of Pulse 6 is scheduled for March 2010. In the meantime, Pulse 6 reports its position, as it moves around on its long tether, to the IMOS Ocean portal as an indicator of the strength and direction of surface currents.
> For more news from all the IMOS Facilities check the IMOS website imos.org.au/news.htmlIMOS News
Rough conditions plagued the voyage ...
... but sun shines on Pulse 6 deployment (photos Dr. A Bowie)
Southern Ocean Time Series pulse mooring deploymentDespite rough conditions the first fully featured Pulse mooring is in the Southern Ocean collecting data. The SAZ mooring was also recovered and redeployed.
3rd Annual Progress Report submitted to DIISRThe IMOS office submitted the 2008/09 Annual Progress Report to the Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research on the 21st September. We would like to thank all the Facility and Node leaders, and the Technical Panel for their assistance in writing the report. We would also like to thank the Advisory Board and Steering Committee for providing feedback on the report.
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Although planning for investment of the new IMOS EIF funding has been a major focus of our attention in recent months, a lot of other great things have been happening in IMOS. This edition of Marine Matters provides an opportunity to showcase a number of these.
It’s particularly pleasing to see some of our more challenging and complex deployments getting to the stage where they are beginning to generate data streams that we know will be very important for the Australian marine and climate science community.
Our feature story on the Southern Ocean Time Series Facility is a good
example. The challenges of working in the Southern Ocean can’t be understated, but nor can the importance of establishing sustained observations in this under-sampled but vitally important area of the global ocean.
Recently-installed coastal radars are also mentioned under the item on SAIMOS. The Coastal Radar Facility has made a lot of progress in recent months, within new installations in both South Australia and Western Australia. We are all looking forward to these installations beginning to steam data for uptake and use by the Regional Nodes.
Another development worth noting is the growing importance of IMOS as a key element in the National Innovation System. Several recently-successful ARC grants will be using IMOS data streams, and our congratulations go to the successful applicants. Also, a number of successful applications for 2010-11 voyage time on the Marine National Facility (RV Southern Surveyor) have strong IMOS connections.
In closing, I’d like to a acknowledge Peter Turner who has been the Facility
Leader for Satellite Remote Sensing since the inception of IMOS. Peter is retiring, and we wish him all the best for the future. I’d also like to wish the whole IMOS community a very Merry Christmas, and to thank you for the high level of engagement and support we’ve received during 2009.
Tim
Mol
tman
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John Middleton (SAIMOS Deputy Node Leader) and Louise Renfrey (SAIMOS Executive Officer) recently held 3 information sessions with industry partners regarding SAIMOS and its activities. The sessions were held in Port Lincoln, Kingscote (Kangaroo Island) and at South Australian Research and Development Institute (SARDI) in Adelaide.
A diverse group attended including representatives from the Department of Environment and Heritage (DEH); Department of Transport, Energy and Infrastructure (DTEI); Commercial Marine Services; Coast Guards; Regional Development boards; Natural Resource Management boards; SA Country Fire Service and the State Emergency Service.
In addition, representatives from a range of fishing industries were present including abalone, prawn, lobster,
sardine and tuna. Feedback was very positive. “Indeed”, says John Middleton, “the talks with industry represent the start of a conversation about how SAIMOS and industry can work together in a mutually beneficial manner.”
It is intended to hold these sessions annually and hopefully the numbers will grow with word of mouth. Already,
John and Louise have been invited to meet with the lobster fishery representatives in the South East of the state (Millicent or Mt Gambier) later in November/early December.
Following the session in Port Lincoln John and Louise visited the HF Radar that had recently been installed at Cape Wiles (on a wild and windy day).
Southern Australian Integrated Marine Observing System road trip
Infrastructure for the HF Radar at Cape Wiles
Tim Moltmann
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IMOS funding through the Education Investment Fund (EIF)Since the announcement in the May Budget the IMOS community has been busy with the process of preparing Node Science & Implementation Plans and Facility Proposals, which were submitted to the IMOS office on 30th October. These are all available on the IMOS EIF webpage http://imos.org.au/eif.html. The National meeting to reach a consensus on the proposals best responding to the IMOS Five Year Strategy and best addressing IMOS EIF funding requirements is on November 26th. This meeting will bring together approximately sixty people from across the various disciplines and institutions prominent in Australian marine and climate science. The IMOS office will then prepare a draft IMOS EIF Project Plan to be considered by the IMOS Advisory Board on December 18th.
Progress in the Biogeochemical component of the National Reference Stations
The Biogeochemical component of the National Reference Stations has really kicked into gear. Out of the nine current NRS sites Yongala and North Stradbroke Island conducted their first full sampling excursions. Congratulations for the concerted efforts that have been put in to achieve this.
That now brings the list of NRS sites conducting the full requisite suite for Biogeochemical sampling to: Kangaroo Island, Maria Island, Port Hacking, North Stradbroke Island, Yongala, Rottnest Island and Esperance (quarterly). This means that not only are there more samples being collected, but the data are beginning to flow in greater volume.
Darwin is anticipated to be operational within the next 2 months,
barring any major problems; and the establishment of Ningaloo will probably not occur until late in the current calendar year/early next year.
The AATAMS workshop which was held at the Sydney Institute of Marine Science on the 2nd-4th of November 2009 saw delegates from around Australia and the world gather to discuss various aspects of acoustic telemetry theory, current/ future projects , data analysis/visualisation applications, projects and products.
This event was proudly sponsored by VEMCO, AIMS, TAFI, Eon- fusion, IMOS and SIMS. Highlights of this workshop included Dale Webber (VEMCO senior biologist) and Sandra Greer (VEMCO CEO) who covered in-depth the technical information behind current and future
acoustic studies. Dale also gave several demonstrations on using vr2w, vr100 and vr3 units and using the Vue software to interpret acoustic receiver data. As well as some of the new products that will be entering the market shortly for our use. Plenary talks came from Barry Bruce (CSIRO) on the movements of white sharks and Colin Simpfendorfer (James Cook University) on the “joys” of interpreting data from vr2w units. Michelle Heupel (Research Director, AIMS@JCU) lead a hands on discussion and demonstration on internal tagging protocol and procedures that was well received from all. Hugh Pederson
(National Sales Manager Myriax Software P/L) gave an introduction to using the 4D visualisation program eon-fusion and demonstrated importing standard vr2 data to create spatially corrected movements of study animals. Michael Stokesbury (Ocean Tracking Network CA) gave an update for the plans of the much anticipated global tracking program. As well as fantastic talks and posters of current and future studies from the AATAMS community. Program and abstract book can be found at the IMOS website http://imos.org.au/aatams_workshop.html.
The sampling configuration for the North Stradbroke Island NRS (courtesy: F. Coman)
AATAMS workshop participants
Australian Acoustic Tagging and Monitoring System workshop
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Director Mr Tim [email protected]
Executive OfficerMrs Jo [email protected]
Project Officer Dr. Marian McGowen [email protected]
Scientific OfficerDr Katy [email protected]
Office AssistantMs Virginia [email protected]
Technical DirectorMr Simon [email protected]
For more information about IMOS please visit the website www.imos.org.auGeneral enquiries: Integrated Marine Observing System (IMOS), University of Tasmania , Private Bag 110, Hobart, TAS, 7001 • +61 (03) 6226 7505 T • +61 (03) 6226 2107 F
Facility Leaders:Argo AustraliaDr Susan Wijffels [email protected]
Enhanced Measurements from Ships of Opportuniity (SOOP)Mr Ken [email protected]
Southern Ocean Automated Time Series Observations (SOTS) Dr Eric [email protected] Tom [email protected]
Australian National Facility for Ocean Gliders (ANFOG) Prof Charitha [email protected]
Autonomous Underwater Vehicle Facility (AUV) Dr Stefan [email protected]
Australian National Mooring NetworkDr Tim [email protected]
Australian Coastal Ocean Radar Network (ACORN) Prof Mal [email protected]
Australian Acoustic Tagging and Monitoring System (AATAMS) Dr Rob [email protected]
Facility for Automated Intelligent Monitoring of Marine Systems (FAIMMS) Mr Scott [email protected]
eMarine Information Infrastructure (eMII)Dr Roger [email protected]
Satellite Remote Sensing (SRS)Dr Peter [email protected]
Node Leaders:Blue water and climateMr Ken [email protected]
Great Barrier Reef Ocean Observing System (GBROOS) Dr Peter [email protected]
New South Wales IMOS (NSW-IMOS)Prof Iain [email protected]
Southern Australia IMOS (SAIMOS)Dr Laurent [email protected]
Western Australia IMOS (WAIMOS) Prof Charitha [email protected]
IMOS is supported by the Australian Government through the National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy and the Super Science Initiative
This issue of marine matters has been compiled by Dr Marian McGowen. Thanks to Joe Adelstein, Louise Renfrey, Andrew Boomer, Gary Critchley and Stefan Williams for providing news items.
Diagram illustrating how the national IMOS program works. IMOS integrates several independent technologies and instruments, ranging from moored sensors and deep sea autonomous floats to acoustic tracking devices, radar imagery and remote satellites, among others, into research infrastructure covering a vast swath of Australia’s large coastal and deep water marine territory. IMOS will generate critical data needed to support a diverse range of marine research projects.
Successful AUV survey at Scott Reef with AIMSScientists from the Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS) used the Autonomous Underwater Vehicle as part of an expedition to undertake detailed habitat mapping at Scott Reef in WA.
The primary objective of this work was to describe biological assemblages associated with deep coral reef systems at Scott Reef in WA. A significant proportion of South Scott Reef and the adjacent lagoon lies in waters between 30 m to 70 m deep that support a range of habitats similar to many of the submerged shoal systems strung along the edge of the continental shelf in the Timor Sea. The South Scott Reef lagoon covers 300 km2 and is the largest area of this type observed on a single reef system in the NW region. Understanding the nature and dynamics of these deeper water areas will not only better describe the true extent of Australia’s tropical reef resources, but will contribute to a broader understanding of the overall resilience of coral reefs in the NW region. For more information about this cruise visit http://imos.org.au/scottreef.html.
