CMRC2/3 CREWS Field Log

DATE: 9/14/05
TIME: 0920
STAFF: Buch, Coutts (intern)
BOAT: Lusca (1/2 day use; 0.5 engine hrs)
NOTES: thorough cleaning, including re-positioning of PAM heads and cleaning inside of SAMI “cage”. Widespread local bleaching occurring, including Stick site and N. Norman’s Pond patch reef. PAM Agaricia head is approximately 40% bleached. PAM Siderastrea head showing mild paling at base.
Kevin

Summary of Coral Species Being Monitored

This is a short summary of the species being monitored by the pulse amplitude modulating (PAM) fluorometer at this CREWS station. The instrument itself has 4 individual heads on about 10 - 15' cables connected to a central distributing unit (AKA distributor box). The signal from these 4 heads is delivered through the distributor box to the station as a single RS232 formatted signal. The four heads are mounted into two mounts with enough freedom in motion to be oriented appropriately, including angle and distance to coral surface, to allow monitoring of up to 4 different species. We have typically aimed to monitor only 2 species each in duplicate. The PAM heads are numbered 1 through 4. A list of the species monitored and the dates they are monitored follows.

5/21/05 1800 PAM1 Agaricia sp.
PAM2 Siderastrea siderea - side of colony
PAM3 S. siderea - small secondary colony near agaricia colony
PAM3 S. siderea - top or same colony monitored with PAM2

5/23/05 0500 All heads failed - pressure case corrosion issues

6/30/05 2000 PAM Redeployed with aluminum distributor box and stainless steel monitoring heads
PAM1&2 Agaricia sp.
PAM3&4 S. Siderea

7/11/05 1400 All heads failed - continued corrosion issues
7/13/05 0000 PAM3 still off, PAM1,2&4 begin reporting again
PAM1&2 Agaricia sp.
PAM4 S. siderea

7/23/05 1600 Second PAM unit deployed - corrosion issues resolved
PAM1&2 S. siderea
PAM3&4 Agaricia sp.

Currently, all heads are reporting. Based on reduction in PAM yields, the S. siderea species is showing signs of stress.