Proposed Site: Summary

On Tuesday, July 29th, Chris Langdon and Derek Manzello identified a spot near Enrique Island for the MAP-CO2 Buoy. The next day, Dwight Gledhill determined the best spot at:

17 deg 57.224 N
67 deg 03.066 W

Jules Craynock and Jim Hendee joined them to take measurements and inspect the site for proper location of anchors for the buoy. Leg A (deep side) is 120 degrees and 14 meters in length from the center point (lat/long, above), with an endpoint at 37 feet depth, in sand; while Leg B (shallow side) is 300 degrees from center point, 18 meters in length, with an endpoint at 16 feet depth, also in sand.

A possible alternate site was chosen near the ICON/CREWS station (see blog entry immediately preceeding).

Shown in picture are Jules Craynock (left) and Jim Hendee. Photo (click to enlarge) by Derek Manzello.

Possible Alternate Site

During maintenance procedures at the ICON/CREWS station, a possible alternate site was found nearby at,

17°56'18.07" N
67° 3'4.42" W

Derek Manzello has some photos and assessment of the biota in the area. The island shown is Media Luna.

See accompanying image for relation to CREWS station (top of picture is North). Image by Google Earth (click to enlarge).

Aerial View of Site, Enrique Island

This image is a closer view of the proposed site, near Enrique Island. (Image from Google Earth, click to enlarge.)

Aerial View of Site, Region

Attached is an image of the proposed site within the La Parguera Ecological Marine Preserve, near La Parguera (top, in image), Puerto Rico. (Image from Google Earth, click to enlarge.)

Bottom Type, Shallow

Image shows typical bottom substrate where bottom anchor (railroad wheel?) will be positioned, in 16' of water, at the end of the shallow leg of buoy moorings. The material is loose, with no hard bottom within finger-poking distance below the surface. Photo (click to enlarge) by Derek Manzello.

Bottom Type, Deep

Image shows typical bottom substrate where bottom anchor (railroad wheel?) will be positioned, in 37' of water, at the end of the deep leg of buoy moorings. The material is primarily sandy. Rather hazy photo (click to enlarge) by Derek Manzello.

Dwight Picks the Spot

Dwight Gledgill (left) positions anchor of location float, while Jules Craynock awaits with tape measure and note-board. Photo (click to enlarge) by Derek Manzello.

Atlantic MAP-CO2 Buoy Logistics Begin

This blog chronicles the delivery, installation and maintenance events of the NOAA/PMEL-engineered MAP-CO2 Buoy near the NOAA/AOML-engineered ICON Pylon at La Parguera, Puerto Rico. These two stations will provide comprehensive monitoring of ocean acidification processes over a well-researched coral reef area in the La Parguera Estuarine Preserve through participation by NOAA, University of Miami, University of Puerto Rico, NCAR, USGS, and many other partners through time. Above is one of the engineering drawings of the platform.

The Principal Investigator for this project is:
Dr. Dwight Gledhill
NOAA/NESDIS Coral Reef Watch

NOAA/PMEL Collaborators:
Dr. Richard Feely and Dr. Chris Sabine

NOAA/AOML Collaborators:
Dr. Rik Wanninkhof and Dr. Jim Hendee

Cheers,
Jim