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NERACOOS Integrated Nutrient Observatory
Overview: Over the next three years (2015-17) NERACOOS and its partners will deploy a
prototype automated nutrient monitoring observatory in the coastal and estuarine waters of the
Northeast. The goal of this effort is to demonstrate the delivery of high frequency nutrient data
to scientists, managers and policy makers. When completed the NERACOOS integrated nutrient
observatory will be the largest in North America and will represent an important first step
towards delivery critical nutrient data to key stakeholders. An award from the Integrated Ocean
Observing System (IOOS) Ocean Technology Transition (OTT) program is funding this project.
Need: Coastal and offshore shelf waters of the Northeast United States are seeing fluctuations in
the levels of dissolved inorganic nutrients, driven principally by human caused nutrient loading
near shore and oceanographic processes farther offshore. Anthropogenic inputs near shore lead
to eutrophication and associated hypoxia, habitat loss, degraded aesthetic value, and can
enhance ocean acidification. Changes in nutrients offshore appear to be occurring due to climate
change, and are a key factor influencing development of harmful algal blooms, which cause
Paralytic Shellfish poisoning. More frequent measurements of nutrients are needed to better
understand these processes.
Nutrient Sensors: NERACOOS will
deploy WET Lab’s PO4 (phosphate),
NH4 (ammonium), and the Satlantic
NO3 (nitrate) sensors on buoys in
Great Bay, NH, Narragansett Bay,
and in Long Island Sound. Satlantic
NO3 (nitrate) sensors will be
deployed at multiple depths on a
number of buoys in the Gulf of
Maine. Nutrient data will be
integrated with other regional ocean
information through a nationally
consistent data management
framework with established QA/QC.
The information will be delivered
through the NERACOOS website.
The red dots show the approximate location of buoys that will carry
nutrient sensors.
Outreach: NERACOOS staff and partners will engage key stakeholders throughout the project to
ensure that we develop a clear understanding of stakeholder needs with regard to nutrient
information and to ensure that the design and operation of the observatory delivers data that
can be effectively used by key stakeholders. A project website and mailing list will be developed
and updated with project information.
Project Partners:
Funded by: