[n.b. This is a backdated post, part of a May/2014 blog catchup. This post's content is a slightly edited version of an email sent on December 21st, 2012, about signs of trouble with the station's Deep Light Sensor and our plans to correct the problem.]
The station's "deep" BIC has been dropping in and out of communications, with the first hints of trouble in July and more serious data gaps starting in September. This isn't so worrisome in and of itself but beginning in late November the station's power levels have been fluctuating as well, which could indicate a flooding problem in the light sensor. In extreme cases this could take the entire station offline due to power loss.
Our next visit from AOML to the station cannot happen until April or May at the earliest. However, we will be shipping a collection of dummy plugs to Marlon Hibbert (NOAA's Coral Reef Conservation Program) and José Sanchez (USVI's Department of Planning and Natural Resources) so that they may remove the failing instrument and cap its cable during their next maintenance visit.
(signed)
Mike Jankulak
Friday, December 21, 2012
Thursday, November 15, 2012
Station maintenance
On Wednesday November 14, 2012 Jose Sanchez ( STXEEMP Interpretative Ranger) and I traveled to the SRV12 to conduct routine maintenance.
Conditions were not the best, winds between 12-16 knots with gusts up to 20 knots and seas running about 3-6ft. We were able to safely attach the calibration unit done at 10:40 am and it was retrieved at 2:25 pm. Jose cleaned all the ropes on two dives and worked on the lower portions of the stick, base plate etc.
The zincs on the support chains will need changing, and the lower base plate zinc will need changing as well. Cleaning of the upper portion of the stick was not attempted due to the surge conditions and was deemed unsafe.
Checks on the data the day before revealed a possible issue with the deep light readings which measured a consistent -9 over the last 72 or so hours.
No pictures were taken on this trip.
Next scheduled event is mid December barring weather and unforeseen events.
Conditions were not the best, winds between 12-16 knots with gusts up to 20 knots and seas running about 3-6ft. We were able to safely attach the calibration unit done at 10:40 am and it was retrieved at 2:25 pm. Jose cleaned all the ropes on two dives and worked on the lower portions of the stick, base plate etc.
The zincs on the support chains will need changing, and the lower base plate zinc will need changing as well. Cleaning of the upper portion of the stick was not attempted due to the surge conditions and was deemed unsafe.
Checks on the data the day before revealed a possible issue with the deep light readings which measured a consistent -9 over the last 72 or so hours.
No pictures were taken on this trip.
Next scheduled event is mid December barring weather and unforeseen events.
Monday, September 24, 2012
Station maintenance
Station maintenance was conducted a week after our planned September 10-17 date due to some rainy and stormy weather conditions and some meetings for the update of the STXEEMP management plan. On a clear almost flat day on September 21, 2012 Jose Sanchez, STXEEMP Interpretative Ranger and myself ( Marlon Hibbert) journeyed out to Salt River.
.
The groundtruth CTD was connected at about 10:56 am and ran undisturbed for at least two hours. Jose cleaned and changed the mesh on the top CTD, but for the most part none were disturbed. The groundtruth CTD was disconnected at about 3:20p.m. just before our departure from the site.
A week before going to the site , a check on the data revealed conditions conducive to bleaching, on a brief swim around, we did observe some minimal paling that did not appear widespread and was mostly species specific.
Next planned visit, Week of October 15, 2012.
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| Pleasant conditions |
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| Before-deep CTD |
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| After - deep CTD |
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| Jose-roped to his work |
.
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| Jose - chipping away |
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| Main column - before |
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| Main column-after |
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| The big picture |
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| Cleaning brought us many friends hunting for scraps |
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| Spectators doubling as security guards |
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| Cleaning has pitfalls -we saved this one. |
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| Jose's handiwork |
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| Paling of corals |
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| Pale Montastrea sp |
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| Diseased-Meandrina sp |
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| Connected groundtruth CTD |
The groundtruth CTD was connected at about 10:56 am and ran undisturbed for at least two hours. Jose cleaned and changed the mesh on the top CTD, but for the most part none were disturbed. The groundtruth CTD was disconnected at about 3:20p.m. just before our departure from the site.
A week before going to the site , a check on the data revealed conditions conducive to bleaching, on a brief swim around, we did observe some minimal paling that did not appear widespread and was mostly species specific.
Next planned visit, Week of October 15, 2012.
Friday, August 24, 2012
Station maintenance
On Friday August 10th, 2012, Interpretive Park Ranger
Jose Sanchez was accompanied by Jonathan Brown, Fisheries Biologist with the
Division of Fish and Wildlife, DPNR to
clean and calibrate the ICON station.
Jose and Jonathan did extensive cleaning of station and
connected the ground truth CT. They also
replaced the mesh screens on the deep and shallow CTD’s.
The cleaning took place just in time for the arrival of
Tropical storm Issac who thankfully skirted the south of St Croix.
Next planned visit week of September 10th , 2012.
Pictures courtesy of Jonathan Brown, DFW, DPNR.
Jose Sanchez chipping away
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