Full description
This data set is a monthly sample collected in Sydney Harbour using the Sydney Institute of Marine Science (SIMS) boat. Stations were sampled in a regular order starting with the upper embayment of Homebush bay, followed by the Duck Creek site, and subsequently working downriver from Parramatta Weir. Sampling sites are located using co‐ordinates previously programmed into a handheld PGS (garmin etrex). At each station the station identifier and time are recorded at as well as some basic ancillary data including, the weather conditions and perceived state of the tide. Secci dish measurement are made using a standard 30 cm diameter secci dish on a weighted line with depth indications every 0.5 m, increments between markings were estimated by the operator.
A YSI model 6600 V2 sonde is used as the primary instrument for in-situ data collection. The sonde is used in data logging mode, the data downloaded at the completion of each sampling day. To provide redundancy a set of two YSI model 6920 V2 probes (together providing a second full complement of sensors) are strapped together and fitted with identical duplicate probes to the 6600 V2. At each sampling site the two sets of sensors are lowered through the water column independently. The sondes are equipped with sensors for; dissolved oxygen, conductivity, salinity (calculated), temperature, pH, depth, turbidity, and chlorophyll‐a. The YSI probes are calibrated before each sampling run on the day before sampling operations. Calibration is performed in accordance with the manufacturer’s directions.
At each station water samples are collected for laboratory analysis of total nitrogen, total phosphorous and dissolved inorganic nutrients. Samples were filtered in 50 mL plastic specimen jars. Surface samples were collected by holding the capped specimen jar approximately 0.3 m below the surface and uncapping the jar while under water. The jar is then brought to the surface where some sample was removed to allow room for expansion when frozen. For bottom samples a 4 L Niskin water sampler (General Oceanics) is suspended on a weighted rope 0.3 m above the weight. The sampler is lowered until the operator feels line slacken due to the weight reaching the seafloor, subsequently the messenger weight was sent down the line to close the sampler. Once retrieved the sample was visually checked for excessive turbidity which occasionally occurred due to disturbance of the sediment by the sampler. The process is repeated until a sample that is judged to be uncontaminated is obtained. A subsample is then collected into a 50 mL plastic sampling jar. The sampling jars are labelled with the site, date, depth collected, and purpose for which they were collected before being placed on ice in the dark aboard the vessel. Immediately upon return to the Sydney Institute of Marine Science the nutrient samples are transferred to a 30°C freezer where they are kept until the time of analysis.
Collectors:
Daniel Harrison, Ryan Liddell, Edwina Tanner
Reference:
Harrison, D.P., 2012, Water Quality Sampling of Parramatta River, Methods and Sampling Protocol. Contracts SM-1112W-006-09 and SM-1213W-006-02.
N.B. All values of '9999' = 'NS'
Data time period: 30 04 2012 to 29 05 2012
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