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

陆地/海洋营养物和碳循环生物地球化学观测站海洋、湖泊和河流中复杂的生物地球化学过程的研究往往因缺乏可用于长期连续观测的传感器系统而受阻。这对于化学传感器来说尤其如此。虽然各种化学传感器系统已被证明，有几个可以在无人值守的情况下长时间（3个月）在水生系统。在这里，我们建议开发和完善各种化学传感器或采样器系统，以延长续航时间，自主观测。这些仪器的操作将通过将其部署在蒙特里湾顶端埃尔克霍恩斯劳国家河口研究保留地（ESNERR）的实验性陆地/海洋生物地球化学观测站（LOBO）进行验证。LOBO将是一系列配备自主化学和物理传感器以及水采样器的系泊设备，这些传感器将近实时运行。该项目的一个关键要素是，利用观测站对地球化学循环进行基本观测，以验证传感器系统的长期性能。观测系统的初步运行将通过我们开发的两个硝酸盐传感器系统进行演示，该系统可以在不受干预的情况下运行3至4个月。这些传感器将增加其他检测系统，用于检测处于不同开发阶段的磷酸盐、硅酸盐、氨、铁、pH值和CO2。该观测站将由6个系泊“节点”组成，沿着从海洋到埃尔克霍恩斯劳海峡的横断面部署。每个系泊装置将包括几个化学传感器，以及基本的物理（T、S、深度、声学多普勒海流剖面仪）传感器。现场水采样器也将安装在系泊系统上，以收集化学浓度和同位素分析的样本，这将使我们能够独立验证传感器测量结果和从观察中推断的地球化学过程。一个耦合的埃尔克霍恩斯劳的水动力学模型将使我们能够计算质量平衡和源和汇项的化学循环。传感器阵列将通过无线局域网与互联网近实时连接。这里提出的工作可以推广到广泛的沿海环境，其中许多是受沿海环境。因此，我们的系统应被视为一个试点项目，以评估为科学、环境管理和教育目的运行地球化学观测站的可行性。“网络就是传感器”。只有当我们证明这是真实的，并取得实质性的新成果，提高我们研究，管理和利用生态系统进行教育的能力时，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，并在足够短的时间内吸收数据，以促进重点研究和培训。这样一个真实的时间系统将提供独特的教育机会，让公众了解沿海地区的生物地球化学过程，并将提供用于湿地管理的宝贵数据。

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.