 |
|
|
|
More than 30 participants came together for a 2-day capacity building workshop in Pohnpei. |
Building Ocean Observing Capacity in Pohnpei
PacIOOS held a regional capacity building workshop in Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia, with participation from the states of Chuuk, Kosrae, and Pohnpei. The purpose of the workshop was to raise awareness of PacIOOS activities and how to access coastal and ocean information; provide information and training to help local agencies identify and prioritize their needs for ocean observing, including potential collaborators; and gather information from stakeholders on priorities for future PacIOOS activities.
More than 30 participants represented many different sectors, including conservation organizations, state, national, and international agencies, industry partners, and more. PacIOOS is planning a series of regional capacity building workshops throughout the insular Pacific to build and foster knowledge of ocean observing.
|
|
|
PacIOOS Instruments and Tools
|
|
|
|
|
The nearshore sensor was deployed at this dock in Ngaremlengui, Palau. |
Monitoring Sediment Run-off in Palau
As part of the PacIOOS Water Quality Sensor Partnership Program (WQSPP), a nearshore sensor was installed in December at Ngaremlengui dock on the island of Babeldoab, Republic of Palau. The Forest and Watershed Restoration Program of the Ebiil Society has replanted vegetative cover in an upland development area above the dock and an adjacent river. The sensor will help to monitor sediment run-off in the downstream and reef area and thereby assess the success of the revegetation efforts. The instrument measures water temperature, salinity, turbidity, chlorophyll-a, and depth at 15-minute intervals and will be installed for a one-year period.
|
|
|
|
Redeployment of the PacIOOS wave buoy on the North Shore of Kauaʻi. Credit: A. Queima
|
Hanalei Wave Buoy Back on Station
The PacIOOS wave buoy off Hanalei, Kauaʻi, was redeployed this month during glassy conditions off the North Shore of Kauaʻi. Right in time to capture two large incoming northwest swells, measuring significant wave heights between 12-18ft. The wave buoy collects information on wave height, direction, and period, as well as sea surface temperature in real-time. Also be sure to check out the PacIOOS wave forecast for the Hanalei location. The forecast provides a 5-day outlook for the predicted swell bands. All data are available to the public free of charge. Data management for the wave buoys is made possible through long-term partnerships with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Coastal Data Information Program (CDIP).
|
|
|
|
The low-lying atoll of Majuro in the Marshall Islands experienced severe inundation in November 2019. Credit: H. Hosia of the Marshall Islands Journal |
Large Swell Causing Inundation on Majuro
At the end of November, Majuro Atoll in the Republic of the Marshall Islands experienced severe inundation due to a large northeast swell. More than 200 people had to be evacuated; roads and properties were flooded requiring extensive clean up work from various types of debris. The PacIOOS wave buoy measured a significant wave height of nearly 16ft -- marking a record high since the buoys initial deployment in April 2010. The largest individual wave (Hmax) measured over 29ft. PacIOOS' wave run-up forecast for Majuro also predicted the potential for severe run-up. For the low-lying atoll, inundation can occur both from the ocean side as well as from the inside of the lagoon.
|
|
|
|
|
|
NOAAʻs stratified random survey data of reef fish are now accessible on OBIS. Credit: NOAA |
Making Biological Data Widely Accessible
In order to make biological data sets widely accessible from global platforms, such as the Ocean Biogeographic Information System (OBIS), data need to be aligned to a framework called the Darwin Core Standard. Data standards ensure a clear understanding of how the data are represented and make them easy to access, filter, and query, allowing for easy dissemination and sharing among multiple platforms and users. PacIOOS supported efforts to add data collected by the National Coral Reef Monitoring Program of NOAA's Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center, Ecosystem Sciences Division to OBIS. Data of stratified random surveys (StRS) of reef fish in the U.S. Pacific Islands were collected between 2007-2019 and accounted for 828 different species in the Hawaiian and Mariana Archipelagos, American Samoa, and the Pacific Remote Island Areas.
|
|
|
|
Water quality data from the Hui O Ka Wai Ola can be found on PacIOOS Voyager. |
Updated Maui Water Quality Data in Voyager
PacIOOS Voyager is now up to date with the latest quarterly water quality data sampled by the Hui O Ka Wai Ola. The hui, comprised of three local organizations (Maui Nui Marine Resource Council, The Nature Conservancy and the West Maui Ridge to Reef Initiative), active community volunteers, and scientists, collects samples of water temperature, salinity, turbidity, pH, dissolved oxygen, and nutrients (nitrogen, phosphorus, ammonia, and others). Sampling occurs every three weeks. Explore data from more than 40 Maui locations in PacIOOS Voyager. Collection and analysis of the samples follow a rigorous protocol in order to align with the standards of the Department of Health Clean Water Branch and the Environmental Protection Agency. Download the Quality Assurance Project Plan (QAPP) for more information.
|
|
|
|
|
High school juniors and seniors learn about ocean acidification in a PacIOOS guest lecture. |
Ocean Acidification in the Classroom
More than 80 students from Kaiser High School in Hawaiʻi Kai, Oʻahu, participated in a 1.5 hour guest lecture led by PacIOOS staff. High school juniors and seniors of marine science and biology classes had been learning about oceanography and climate change related topics in their curriculum. The interactive learning session focused on ocean acidification, providing in-depth information on how an increase in atmospheric carbon dioxide is affecting ocean chemistry and why ocean acidification is impacting marine environments. Visual demonstrations showed the influence of car exhaust fumes on water's acidity levels, and also described how coral reef structures dissolve when ocean acidity levels increase.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Andreia during a recent buoy redeployment. Credit: K. Millikan |
Welcome to the PacIOOS ʻOhana!
PacIOOS is excited to announce its latest addition: Andreia Monteiro Queima recently joined the team of staff as the Oceanographic Technician. Her primary role is to support the wave buoy program by ensuring continuous operation of PacIOOS' 15 wave buoys throughout the Pacific Islands region. You will find Andreia either in the lab coordinating logistics and preparing buoys and moorings, or out in the field installing, recovering, and swapping buoys and moorings. She finds great value in supporting the program by providing reliable real-time wave data that are essential for a large variety of purposes, such as informing harbor operations, validating wave forecasts, and assessing coastal impacts.
Andreia is a Civil Engineer with a Masters in Ocean Engineering from the Ocean and Resources Engineering Department (
ORE) at the School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology (
SOEST). During her undergraduate studies at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, she got involved with hydrodynamic numerical modeling studies, which led her to pursue a graduate degree in Ocean Engineering. Waves have always fascinated Andreia, from the perspective of a surfer to the theory of wave mechanics. She is an outdoor enthusiast who enjoys surfing, paddling, swimming, climbing, hiking, and snowboarding.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
