CHASM is pleased to be working with the Environment Agency National Water Quality Instrumentation Service (NWQIS). The aim is to measure water quality parameters along the coast of the Manhood Peninsula, south of Chichester West Sussex, so we can look at some of the environmental factors such as turbidity and water quality that might be affecting crabs and lobsters, but also other biota including plants.<\/p>\n
During summer 2020 sonde data loggers enabled the project to measure dissolved oxygen, salinity and turbidity in relation to \u2018live\u2019 weather events in Bracklesham Bay.<\/p>\n
We have since expanded on the first year of work in Bracklesham Bay through the use of sonde and telemetry units on West Pole and in Fishbourne Channel outside Chichester Marina. This information is gathered by the sonde unit and relayed via a telemetry unit and satellite to the Environment Agency offices in Reading. The intention is to measure dissolved oxygen, salinity, turbidity and fDOM coming from the Solent, Chichester Harbour and the east coast of the Isle of Wight. These inputs are thought to work their way along the coast through Bracklesham Bay and Selsey, and may affect lobsters and other species.<\/p>\n
For NWQIS this is a feasibility study into the effectiveness of equipment use in a harsh coastal environment. This type of work has not been previously undertaken on the open coast and the CHASM project is a useful vehicle with which to test its effectiveness.<\/p>\n
The following links enable you to access the live and archive data at the various locations.<\/p>\n
West Pole and Chichester Marina are both live links.<\/p>\n
The sonde sites from 2021 and the Dell Quay data are archived information. There is no specific page on the Dell Quay sonde because it was only operational for a very limited period and didn't reveal much of interest.<\/p>\n
Using a telemetry unit and sonde is enabling us to observe real time data for periods of over a year. The length of time is key because it means seasonal and interannual variability can be recorded.<\/p>\n
There have been three stages to this part of the project so far.<\/p>\n