Marine Water Chemistry

 Resource Brief - March 2009

Importance/Issues

Marine Water Chemistry, including temperature and salinity, are critical to intertidal fauna and flora and are likely to be important determinants of both long-term and short-term fluctuations in the intertidal biotic community. Basic water quality parameters provide a record of environmental conditions at the time of sampling and are used in assessing the condition of biological assemblages.

Sampling Design and Objectives

Satellites will be used for synoptic measurements of surface temperature and turbidity. Visible remote sensing (i.e., ocean color) will be used to infer the chlorophyll a standing stock, sediment levels, and flow patterns. Water temperature will be measured continuously throughout the year with Hobo data loggers at middle intertidal stations near long-term sheltered rocky sampling sites. Offshore water quality information will be provided by other programs, including AOOS, Alaska Department of Fish and Game, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Coastal Management Institute, and the Cook Inlet Regional Citizen Advisory Council.

Progress and Current Efforts

In 2006 Hobo temperature and time loggers were deployed at Katmai NP. In 2007 data loggers were retrieved at Katmai NP and instruments were deployed at Katmai and Kenai Fjords NP. Monitoring for marine water chemistry for SWAN park units is scheduled for 2009.