Validation of methods for monitoring of coastal and open sea areas with satellites and sensors on ships of opportunity

Abstract

Final report to the Norwegian Research Council. The main objective of the project was to construct, install and test an automatic system for observations of temperature, salinity, chlorophyll fluorescence and turbidity from the cooling inlet aboard the ferry Color Festival (Oslo -Hirtshals). An automatic water sampler makes it possible to analyse other properties of the surface water, such as nutrients and organochlorides at selected positions. The potential of combined satellite and ship-sensor observations is illustrated as well as the use of the system for early warning of harmful algea. Examples are also given of the system's potential for low cost high frequency regular monitoring of the surface layer.