IDEA: Land/Ocean Biogeochemical Observatory for Nutrient and Carbon Cycling

陆地/海洋营养和碳循环生物地球化学观测站对海洋、湖泊和河流中复杂的生物地球化学过程的研究往往因为缺乏可用于长期、持续观测的传感器系统而受到阻碍。对于化学传感器来说，情况尤其如此。虽然已经证明了各种化学传感器系统，但在水生系统中，很少有系统可以在无人值守的情况下长时间(3个月)运行。在这里，我们建议开发和改进各种化学传感器或采样器系统，以延长持续时间，进行自主观察。这些仪器的运行情况将通过将它们部署在蒙特利湾顶部埃尔克霍恩斯劳国家河口研究保护区(ESNERR)的陆地/海洋生物地球化学实验观测站(LOBO)进行验证。LOBO将是一系列系泊设备，配备了自主的化学和物理传感器以及近乎实时操作的水样采样器。该项目的一个关键要素将是利用观测站对生物地球化学循环进行基本观测，从而核实传感器系统的长期性能。天文台系统的初步运行将用我们开发的两个硝酸盐传感器系统进行演示，这两个系统可以在没有干预的情况下运行3至4个月。这些传感器将增加额外的磷酸盐、硅酸盐、氨、铁、pH和二氧化碳的检测系统，这些系统正处于不同的开发阶段。天文台将由六个系泊节点组成的阵列，这些节点部署在从海洋进入埃尔克霍恩斯劳海峡和沿着埃尔克霍恩斯劳海峡的横断面上。每个系泊设备将包括几个化学传感器，以及基本的物理传感器(T、S、深度、声学多普勒海流剖面仪)。还将在系泊处安装现场水样采样器，以收集用于化学浓度和同位素分析的样本，使我们能够独立验证传感器测量结果和从观测中推断的生物地球化学过程。Elkhorn Slough的耦合流体动力学模型将使我们能够计算化学循环的质量平衡和源汇项。传感器阵列将通过无线局域网近乎实时地连接到互联网。这里提出的工作可以推广到广泛的沿海环境，其中许多受沿海环境的影响。因此，我们的系统应被视为一个试点项目，以评估将生物地球化学观测站用于科学、环境管理和教育目的的可行性。“网络就是传感器”。只有当我们证明这一点是正确的，并取得实质性和新奇的结果，增强我们研究、管理和利用教育生态系统的能力时，我们的目标才能实现。为了实现这一目标，我们必须设计一个化学传感器网络，它可以连续运行，保持校准状态，并在足够短的时间内同化数据，以促进重点研究和训练练习。这种实时系统将提供独特的教育机会，向公众介绍沿海地区的生物地球化学过程，并将提供宝贵的数据，用于湿地管理目的。

Land/Ocean Biogeochemical Observatory for Nutrient and Carbon CyclingStudies of complex, biogeochemical processes in oceans, lakes and rivers are often hindered by a lack of sensor systems that can be deployed for long-term, continuous observations. This is particularly true for chemical sensors. While a variety of chemical sensor systems have been demonstrated, there are few that can operate unattended for long periods (3 months) in aquatic systems. Here, we propose to develop and refine a variety chemical sensor or sampler systems for extended endurance, autonomous observations. The operation of these instruments will be verified by deploying them in an experimental Land/Ocean Biogeochemical Observatory (LOBO) in the Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve (ESNERR) at the head of Monterey Bay. LOBO will be an array of moorings equipped with autonomous chemical and physical sensors and water samplers that will be operated in near real-time. A key element of this project will be verification of the long-term performance of the sensor systems by utilizing the observatory to perform fundamental observations of biogeochemical cycles. The initial operation of the observatory system will be demonstrated with two nitrate sensor systems, which we have developed, that can operate for 3 to 4 month periods without intervention. These sensors will be augmented with additional detection systems for phosphate, silicate, ammonia, iron, pH and CO2 that are in various stages of development. The observatory will consist of an array of 6 mooring 'nodes' deployed along a transect from the ocean into and along the channel of Elkhorn Slough. Each mooring will incorporate several chemical sensors, as well as basic physical (T, S, depth, Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler) sensors. In-situ water samplers will also be mounted on the moorings to collect samples for chemical concentration and isotope analyses that will allow us to independently validate sensor measurements and the biogeochemical processes that are inferred from the observations. A coupled hydrodynamic model of Elkhorn Slough will allow us to calculate mass balances and source and sink terms for chemical cycling. The sensor array will be linked to the Internet in near real-time through a wireless Local Area Network. The work proposed here can be generalized to a broad range of coastal environments, many of which are subject to coastal environments. As such, our system should be considered a pilot project to assess the feasibility of operating biogeochemical observatories for scientific, environmental management and educational purposes. "The network is the sensor". Our goal is only met when we demonstrate this to be true with substantial and novel results that enhance our ability to study, manage and utilize ecosystems for education. In order to accomplish this, we must design a chemical sensor network that can operate continuously, remain in calibration, and assimilate data within short enough periods to facilitate focused studies and training exercises. Such a real time system will provide unique educational opportunities to inform the public about biogeochemical processes in the coastal zone, and will provide valuable data to be used for wetland management purposes.