Falmouth Group 8
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Pontoon Data Analysis
The contour plot of time, depth and salinity shows a decrease in salinity over time, this is due to the movement of riverine water down the estuary as the tide ebbed. The lower salinity water is less dense,so it moves at shallower depths first. The depth profile shows this, higher salinity water sinking, with the maximum at 08:50 (UTC) 5m.
The contour plot of time, depth and temperature shows an increase in temperature as the tide ebbed. The temperature ranged from 13.4 to 14.2 degrees Celsius. A possible reason for the increase in temperature could be that the riverine input consists of warmer waters,which are brought in by the tidal flow. The change could also be due to the increase in air temperature through the day, which would heat the surface layers of the water. The estuary seems to be partially mixed.
The contour plot of time, depth and dissolved oxygen shows some stratification with respect to the dissolved oxygen. A minimum of 106% dissolved O2 and a maximum of 112% dissolved O2 was observed. The maximum dissolved O2 percentages were seen in the surface layers and between 8:50 and 10:00 (UTC). Minima were seen at depth and at the surface and 10:50 (UTC). There is an increase in dissolved oxygen at depths of up to 4m between the time of 09:00 and 10:00 (UTC) this could be due to the effects of boat traffic coming towards the pontoon at which measurements were taken.
The contour plot of time, depth and pH shows a small range of 8.27 to 8.34. The minimum pH was seen between 09:30 and 10:10 (UTC) this minimum was seen between the surface and 4m. This minimum could be due to an error made in measurements taken as the pH range is not very large.
Contour plots
Click graphs to enlarge