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 Tamar Estuary

Introduction Biological Chemical Physical Time Series





 AIM

To investigate the spatial variation of phosphate and silicate concentrations, zooplankton abundance, chlorophyll, turbidity, irradiance, temperature and salinity levels down the Tamar Estuary.





 INTRODUCTION

Weather:          Very little-Little cloud, slight SW breeze (up

                              to 7KNTS), bright, dry, feels warm.

Temperature: 24 degrees

Hight Water:   09:56UTC

Low water:       15:50 UTC


On 5th July 2018, we joined with another group of students (group 8) to perform a complete survey of the Tamar estuary. Three groups were used to sample three locations on the estuary from Calstock (site a2) to the Breakwater. The first group used the RV Winnie the Pooh to collect data from Calstock (A1) to the Weir (A14). A second group on the RV Falcon Spirit took CTD and ADCP data from Cargreen (b14) to the breakwater (j19). The third group were based on the pontoon at Saltash and spent the day undertaking at time series at the one location (navigate to time series).


At each site, temperature ad salinity were sampled as well as a number of other parameters including: dissolved oxygen, turbidity and fluorimetry based on the equipment available. Niskin bottles attached to the CTD rosette were also collected to calculate phosphate, silicate, chlorophyll concentrations as well as phytoplankton and zooplankton distributions.

Map  1 of the Tamar Estuary showing all stations sampled. Stations a1-a14 were sampled by RV Winnie the Pooh, Station C15 was the location of the Pontoon and RV Falcon Spirit was used for locations b14-j19.

Map  2 of the Tamar Estuary

Map  3- Lower Tamar estuuary showing main sites sampled by