Myrmidon Reef currents and sea level data, Great Barrier Reef (1985)

Brief description

An array of oceanographic instruments was deployed at six stations in the vicinity of Myrmidon Reef between January 1985 and May 1985. A tide gauge was deployed at Arab Reef, south west of Myrmidon Reef (MYR1). Three tide gauges were deployed on Myrmidon Reef (MYR2, MYR3, MYR4). Two current meters were deployed on a single mooring to the west of Myrmidon Reef (MYR5) and two current meters were deployed on a single mooring to the south of Myrmidon Reef (MYR6). Deployment Details: Station: MYR1Instrument: Aanderaa WLR #435 (with temperature)Instrument Depth (m): 20Date Deployed: 18/1/85Date Recovered: 21/4/85Sampling Interval: 30 minutesStation: MYR2Instrument: Seadata TDR #196 (with temperature)Instrument Depth (m): 9Date Deployed: 19/1/85Date Recovered: 3/5/85Sampling Interval: 30 minutesStation: MYR3Instrument: Aanderaa WLR #599 (no temperature)Instrument Depth (m): 15Date Deployed: 20/1/85Date Recovered: 3/5/85Sampling Interval: 30 minutesStation: MYR4Instrument: Seadata TDR #144 (with temperature)Instrument Depth (m): 2Date Deployed: 20/1/85Date Recovered: 3/5/85Sampling Interval: 30 minutesStation: MYR5Instrument: Top - Aanderaa RCM4 #4325 (with temperature, depth)Instrument Depth (m): 36Instrument: Bottom - Aanderaa RCM4 #4327 (with temperature, depth)Instrument Depth (m): 76Date Deployed: 19/1/85Date Recovered: 5/5/85Sampling Interval: 30 minutesStation: MYR6Instrument: Top - Aanderaa RCM4 #6021 (with temperature, depth)Instrument Depth (m): 35Instrument: Bottom - Aanderaa RCM4 #7370 (with temperature, conductivity)Instrument Depth (m): 50Date Deployed: 20/1/85Date Recovered: 3/5/85Sampling Interval: 30 minutesWind data, recorded at 30 minute intervals, was obtained from the AIMS weather station at Rib Reef. Missing data was calculated from the twice daily recordings at the Bureau of Meteorology's Pine Island Lighthouse.
This study was undertaken to provide a time series data base to investigate deep water intrusions onto an outer barrier reef.
In a concurrent study, Dr DJ Barnes was collecting long time series data of reef metabolic rates. The two studies were to be compared to test the coherence of metabolic rates of benthic microalgae on reef flats with the occurrence of bottom intrusions.

Lineage

Maintenance and Update Frequency: notPlanned

Statement: Statement: All current meters were in good working order on retrieval. However the raw data from MYR6 (Bottom) (#7370) measured zero speed from 04-Feb-85 to 15-Apr-85, although the temperature sensor and compass still measured data. This indicates that the rotor may have been fouled over that time and later freed, possibly by cuttlefish eggs or weed.The TDRs (#144 and #196) were retrieved successfully. However the data could not be recovered from either of the tapes.

Notes

Credit
Andrews, John C, Dr (Principal Investigator)

Credit
Steinberg, Craig R, Mr (Custodian)