Sustaining and Expanding the Southern California Coastal Ocean Observing System (SCCOOS)

The Southern California Coastal Ocean Observing System (SCCOOS) Automated Shore Stations (SASS) Program is a network of sensors deployed from four piers within southern California, Stearn's Wharf Pier, Santa Barbara; Santa Monica Pier, Santa Monica; Newport Beach Pier, Newport; and Scripps Institution of Oceanography (SIO) Pier, La Jolla. These sensor packages measure continuous, high frequency, real-time temperature, salinity, and fluorescence data using a plumbed system of SeaBird 16plus SEACAT conductivity, temperature and depth (CTD) sensors and a Wet Labs, WETStar fluorometer, and relay data to a central data server on a regular basis using various telemetry techniques. Data are posted real-time on the SCCOOS website and are one of the most requested datasets from SCCOOS. These data are used to supplement the Harmful Algal Bloom program as they provide an indicator of changing conditions which can trigger blooms, support public outreach for education, and are used by general public and tourism interests, including state and local agencies to track beach and coastal ocean conditions. Additionally, current research using these data include determining seasonal, annual, interannual and long term dynamics of the upper ocean and whether changes observed are driven by large scale or local forcing. CSU Northridge's Ecological Oceanography Laboratory led by PI Kerry Nickols will maintain the Santa Monica Shore Station.