Coastal Ocean Observing, Softcover reprint of the original 1st ed. 2018 Platforms, Sensors and Systems

This manual describes the wide range of electromechanical, electrochemical and electro-optical transducers at the heart of current field-deployable ocean observing instruments. Their modes of operation, precision and accuracy are discussed in detail. Observing platforms ranging from the traditional to the most recently developed are described, as are the challenges of integrating instrument suits to individual platforms. Technical approaches are discussed to address environmental constraints on instrument and platform operation such as power sources, corrosion, biofouling and mechanical abrasion. Particular attention is also given to data generated by the networks of observing platforms that are typically integrated into value-added data visualization products, including numerical simulations or models. Readers will learn about acceptable data formats and representative model products. The last section of the book is devoted to the challenges of planning, deploying and maintaining coastal ocean observing systems.

Readers will discover practical applications of ocean observations in diverse fields including natural resource conservation, commerce and recreation, safety and security, and climate change resiliency and adaptation. This volume will appeal to ocean engineers, oceanographers, commercial and recreational ocean data users, observing systems operators, and advanced undergraduate and graduate students in the field of ocean observing.

Chapter1. Introduction. Chapter2. Electronic sensors and instruments for ocean observing. Chapter3. Coastal ocean observing platforms. Chapter4. Environmental constraints to instrumental coastal ocean observing. Chapter5. Data telemetry, command signaling and platform positioning in coastal ocean observing. Chapter6. Numerical models for operational coastal ocean observing. Chapter7. Coastal ocean observing data quality assurance, data quality control, data validation, data bases and data presentation. Chapter8. Planning, implementation and operation of coastal ocean observing systems.

Provides a thorough introduction to Integrated Coastal Ocean Observing Systems (ICOOS) Sheds new light on materials and devices that have made observation of several inaccessible variables possible Explains the functionality, practicality and challenges of using sensors