Red ACOMAR: Real-time networking activities in the Macaronesian region as a contribution to the Coastal Ocean Observations Panel (COOP)

C. Barreraa, M.J. Ruedaa, M.D. Geladob, R. Morana, E. Azevedoc and O. Llinása

a Departamento de Oceanografía. Instituto Canario de Ciencias Marinas (ICCM). Las Palmas. Spain.

b Departamento de Química. Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (ULPGC). Las Palmas. Spain. c Observatorio do Ambiente dos Açores (OAA). Açores. Portugal.

Abstract- Since To detect and predict changes in coastal and open-ocean ecosystems is a huge requirement monitoring in detail and real-time their baseline physical, geological and chemical properties. In these regards and following the trends and general objectives established by GOOS (Global Ocean Observing System) through its coastal ecosystems module COOP (Coastal Ocean Observations Panel), the present paper describes the design, first development stages and some derived results of a monitoring network, named Red ACOMAR Canarias (Red de Alerta, Control y Observación MARina de Canarias, in English: Network for Marine Surveillance, Control and Observation in the Canaries) developed in the Macaronesia region. Since 1999, the Red ACOMAR is based in a core project supported throughout several proposals at the same time, developed in the coastal and open-ocean areas around the Canary Islands archipelago. The network integrates a wide group of devices and monitoring systems (moored and drifting buoys, gliders, remote sensing, turtles, land based meteorological stations, research vessels,…) working in real-time. The network has a control centre that manages communications and data processing, and provides real-time information in a functional form to end-users from socio-economic important sectors, which make an exhaustive use of the coastal area in the region. The access to the information by the users is done through a web site. The Red ACOMAR is nowadays directly linked with other similar proposals existing in the area, mainly from scientist groups in Azores and Madeira archipelagos, as well as from other European countries, working all together with the aim to bring out a regional contribution in Operational Oceanography to the end-users requirements.

I. INTRODUCTION

The Ocean monitoring becomes difficult for obvious reasons, as it has a three-dimensional structure, the variety and complexity of the processes that govern it, as well as the work difficulties required to operate in such environmental conditions, among others. However, from a global and multidisciplinary perspective, it has been possible to approach the problem derived from the “in-situ” observation and measurement in the ocean, for its further understanding and prediction (models), within the Oceanography context: a new concept known as Operational Oceanography has been developed.

Ecosystems goods and services are more concentrated in the coastal zone than in other region of the globe. Rapid increases in human uses of coastal resources and global changes in the ocean-climate systems are making the coastal area more susceptible to natural hazards, more costly to live in and to less value to national economies. Conflicts between commerce, recreation, development, environmental protection and the management of living resources are becoming increasingly contentious and politically changed. The social and economic costs of uniformed decisions are increasing accordingly. An integrated system of observations and analysis is needed to provide the data and information required to achieve six main goals: i) improve the safety and efficiency of marine operations, whether conducted by governments, agencies, or commercial companies; ii) more effectively control and mitigate the effects of natural hazards; iii) improve the capacity to detect and predict the effects of global climate change on coastal ecosystems; iv) reduce public health risks; v) more effectively protect and restore healthy ecosystems and, vi) restore and sustain living marine resources. Achieving these goals depends on developing the capability to rapidly detect and predict a broad spectrum of coastal physical and bio-geochemical phenomena. Although each goal has specific requirements, they have many data information and communication needs in common. Thus, and integrated approach to the development of a multi-use observing system is both sensible and cost-effective. Rapid detection and timely prediction depend on the establishment of an operational observing system that routinely and continuously provides required data and information in the form and on time scales, specified by the users. Such a system must efficiently link three essential subsystems to ensure the timely and routine delivery of data and information to users: i) monitoring sensing; ii) data acquisition, management and dissemination, and iii) data assimilation and analysis based on scientific understanding. A mix of techniques will be needed to provide the required data streams [1]. These fall into three general categories: remote sensing (spatial synoptic observations), in situ autonomous sensing (high resolution time series) and discrete sampling followed by laboratory analysis. At the same time, elements of the monitoring subsystem should include: i)

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networks of coastal laboratories; ii) global network of tide gauges; iii) fixed platforms, moorings and autonomous vehicles; iii) research and survey vessels dedicated to sustained observations; iv) volunteer observing ships, and vi) remote sensing from land-based platforms, satellite and aircraft. The global coastal monitoring network that contributes to the cost-effectiveness of regional observing systems and links regional observing systems with each other and the global ocean-climate observing systems is the focus of the Coastal Ocean Observations Panel (COOP) design plan [2]. The coastal module must include both regional and global scale components. This can best be established by providing a mechanism for national GOOS (Global Ocean Observing System) programmes and GOOS Regional Alliances (GRAs) [3] to play significant roles in: i) coordinating the development of a global network of observations, data management and analysis; ii) establishing common standard and protocols for measurements, data exchange, data management and analysis; iii) facilitating the transfer of technology and knowledge, and iv) setting priorities for capacity building. The development of both the global ocean and coastal components of GOOS are critically dependent on selective and effectively linking, enhancing and supplementing exiting programmes. The global coastal network will come into being through a combination of national, regional and global processes. Although some elements of the system will be global in scale from the beginning, national and regional coastal observing systems will be the building blocks of the global coastal network. GRAs are being established to plan and implement regional observing systems that will become the building blocks of the coastal module [4]. At the same time GRAs are building it by establishing partnerships with National Programmes and other agencies and bodies as appropriate. In this regards, the ACOMAR Canarias Network [5] is a particular proposal from Instituto Canario de Ciencias Marinas (ICCM), Canarian Government, under the frame of the overall Macaronesian real-time monitoring program, addressed to increase both marine environment monitoring quality and quantity, with the aim to understand and forecast phenomena that take place on it, as well as their environmental and socio-economical repercussions. The proposal acts as an integrator tool, with the aim to allow accessible and compatible the all observations on the Canarian marine environment, independently of the data provider institution/agency and monitoring source. It’s essential to stand out the regional integrator spirit from the Macaronesian area (Fig. 1), both in Açores, Madera and Cape Verde Archipelagos, as well as the NW African coast. The integration spreads over the instrumental approach, because the aim is to add and make available the “in-situ” observations from both moored and drifting devices, on surface or undulate through the water column, and remote sensing as well. Red ACOMAR has been build from “base to top”, starting on specific end-users toward general users, holding the aims and rules established by national and international agencies and

organizations, focused on to understand the processes and phenomena at global scale. The obvious need to increase the acquired information quantity and quality, has involved directly the proposal with technological developments on wide range of devices and tools with the aim to bring out them more accessible both technically and economically.

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Fig. 1. Archipelagos in the Macaronesian region

A.. The Red ACOMAR Network Aims The Red ACOMAR, along with the rest of the autonomous

instrumentation currently deployed in the area, (Spanish Deep Water Moored Buoy Network from Puertos del Estado [6], open-ocean moorings from DOLAN and MERSEA Projects, WOCE/TOGA drifters from NOAA, satellites, coastal stations, gliders, turtles); and the European Station for Time-Series in the Ocean Canary Islands (ESTOC), have two basic objectives: 1.- Bring out to the Canarian marine environment users, the request information in real-time for a good success on their activities. Clear examples of the wide applicability of the network can be found in off-shore aquaculture installations, coastal waste water management, prevention of polluting spills (particularly hydrocarbons), human health, agriculture, harbours and sailing ports, beaches and recreational areas, archaeology, sailing races, fisheries and shell-fish activities, protected marine areas with special ecologic sensibility,…etc. Considering this wide range of applications that can be offered, the network has been specifically designed with a pronounced modular aspect, to guarantee in a sound and efficient way, the optimum behaviour in all of its uses. For this reason it allows the possibility to select, integrate and operate a wide configuration range of sensors and devices, both from well-established provider or manufactured by us. 2.- To contribute to the main worldwide efforts and initiatives on ocean climate observation programmes, like Global Ocean Observing System (GOOS), under their own protocols and standards, as a coastal and regional module -Canarian or Macaronesian GOOS-, with

the aim to analyze and predict both coastal and ocean marine phenomenon.

II. MATERIALS AND METHODS

A. Moored Buoys There are numerous and varied designs for autonomous systems used for meteorological and oceanographic monitoring with different integration degrees. In this context, one of the devices used nowadays as a platform for marine environment remote observation arises from the idea/need of sampling a single point in the ocean, simultaneously at different selected depths and over a long-time period: the mooring line [7]-[8]. Later, and due to technical advances in telecommunications, the concept of Oceanographic Buoy (ODAS) arose [9]-[10]. The network has nowadays five main moored buoy models: SeaMon, SeaMon-HC, Hydrosphere, SeaWatch and Waverider (Fig. 2). All of them, are moored in both coastal and open-ocean around the all archipelagos (Cape Verde not yet), in a wide range of depths between 25 and 3600 m.

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Fig. 2. a) SeaMon buoy. b) Datawell-Waverider buoy. c) SeaMon-HC

SeaMon and SeaMon-HC. Both models are own developments from ICCM. In despite of this, it has been

maintained a clear criteria regarding the initial integration degree from which to start developing the own (Fig. 3) buoy units: to use elements (even sensors) with a very basic level of integration. The modules that integrate the system as a whole (signal conditioners, data-logger, power supply, and communication links and protocols) are designed and developed starting from the selected sensors units.

Fig. 3. General view of the working area (buoy design, system’s integration, sensor calibration and refurbishment tasks) at ICCM, where

SeaMon and SeaMon-Hc are developed

Since the ICCM set up the first buoy prototype in 1996, and throughout the different models and sensor configurations developed until today, SeaMon has been characterised by keeping a fixed hardware structure. The experience acquired and the technical development, has allowed the group to make new improvements and updates, while trying to specifically adapt the system to its proposed application. The Red ACOMAR is presently formed by six SeaMon units already in their fourth version, with different float models and sensor configurations. Buoys are moored mainly near the main Macaronesian harbours areas (two units in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, two in Sta. Cruz de Tenerife and one in Funchal –Madeira island-) and one near to a fish-farming area in the East coast of Gran Canaria. SeaMon-HC is a specific derived product, where its main goal is to be a lightweight and modular buoy for oil-spill monitoring in coastal areas. However, its modularity allow to the user to integrate additional sensors (wind speed and direction, water temperature and currentmeter, mainly). The red ACOMAR has nowadays nine units moored, around the main Macaroneasian harbours areas (four in Las Palmas, four in Sta. Cruz de Tenerife, one in Funchal- Madeira island-).

SeaMon and SeaMon-HC has been developed with a aim is to obtain the best efficiency in the cost-efficacy relation at all moments, and for this, the option was to build the main buoy structure on 6 mm. marine steel combined with 316-stainless steel. For specific developments, materials such as fiberglass, rotomoulded polyethylene, neoprene, are used to build the flotation modules.

In their first versions, SeaMon had a disk structure with 1.5 meter diameter, over which a 2.5 meter high turret was placed. The turret was held by three feet which, from version two on, changed from being plain bars to being 3” hollow tubes. This innovation allowed the implementation of an added feature, such as holding the cables perfectly separated and grouped according to their function, that come from the different elements placed in the upper part of the buoy. Latest versions have presented a bigger diameter (2 meter), for a best flotation and stability. The meteorological sensors (speed and direction, compass, air temperature, PAR solar radiation, humidity and air pressure), the communication module (GSM, Global System for Mobile) and positioning system (GPS, Global Positioning System), the three photovoltaic modules (60 Wp@12V, each) and the autonomous light beacon with flashing rhythms that can be programmed (IALA codes, International Association of Lighthouse Authorities), are the main elements supported in the emerged part of the SeaMon buoy. The flotation module has a central watertight space which communicates with the three conductions from the turret and with the oceanographic sensors (water temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen, hydrocarbons, currents-magnetometer-, fluorometer, turbidimeter, etc.), placed in the lower part of the buoy. There are two free maintenance batteries, 100 Ah@12V, and the main electronic system (solar power regulator, communication modem and microcontroller). This part supports the real time management of the generated information as well as power supply and communications.

Additional sensors (upward looking ADCP) have the possibility to be moored (not yet in real-time mode) near the buoy area in a specific mooring frame. The present SeaMon buoy version is able to integrate a maximum of 25 sensors.

For SeaMon and SeaMon-HC buoys, moored between 25 and 70 m. the mooring line is “all chain” [11]-[12]-[13], integrated by 19 mm G80 chain, 1” swivels (SWL 8.5 Ton), “Green pin” shackles (7/8” and 1”, SWL 6.5 and 8.5 Ton, respectively). Coupling hardware consist a safety anchor shackles and swivels to make easy the potential buoy twist. For anchoring, there is the combined effect of 19 mm. G80 chain on the bottom and a 3.5 Tons concrete block. This is cost-effective, readily available and easy to handle.

However, for deeper mooring lines two other systems are used. One of them, for Datawell Waverider buoys moored between 100 and 250 m. depth, is made by chain, Dyneema and rubber cords (MS-DWR7/17-140). Finally, for the deepest mooring lines (SeaWatch and Hydrosphere) the mooring line is composed by chain and Dyneema, as well as additional flotation glass balls. In all cases, the bottom weight is a concrete block between 2 and 4 tons. Three are the main subsystems that SeaMon integrates concerning the Data Acquisition Module: Central Unit, Sensor Interfaces and Data Receiver. The Electronic Central Unit (ECU) is in charge to receive all signals from the set sensors that the buoy integrates, to store and finally, to send them to the central receiver unit in land. The ECU is based in a Motorola 68HC11 Microcontroller

(HCMOS Technology), who has been designed as an open system, to bring out more modularity to the system. The ECU has been build with a main module where is placed the microcontroller, the EPROM memory and the RS232 interface; the interface module, between the microcontroller and a specific module (storage memories, power supply,…) and finally, the application module, where they are placed peripheral subsystems (GPS interface, multiplexor interface,…) .-Microcontroller: The Microcontroller subsystem is a Motorola 68HC11F1, who includes a EPROM memory, a 68HC6851 real time clock (32.768 KHz) and a TTL levels interface to RS232, using a MAXIM 202 converter. The ECU, using a specific program, offers the possibility to monitoring the power supply system, to switch ON/OFF the sensor power supply, to sequence each input with the measurement to acquire and to sample its frequency value, as well as to ask to the GPS to obtain a geo-referenced buoy position. Finally, the ECU is in charge of to manage the communication system with a GSM modem. Following a programmed sampling rate (every hour), the ECU send to the central receiver unit a SMS message, who includes a sensor data set, GPS position and battery level. .-Sensor Input Multiplexor: One parameter could be measured following a wide range of methodologies. For this reason, the system has been designed with the criteria to bring to the ECU always the same signal for each parameter measured. To obtain this, the selected signal has been a square signal with variable frequency, where the frequency is proportional to the physical value. The multiplexor module has 25 inputs, where a selector circuit connects every signal to the microcontroller with the aim to read the frequency value every 100 milliseconds (it spends 2.5 seconds to real all 25 sensors). .- GPS Interface: The GPS Interface carry out a format conversion with the GPS terminal data, using a Motorola 68HC11E2 microcontroller, through their serial ports, to connect the GPS and the main microcontroller. Every second, the GPS position value is stored in the GPS memory, until the ECU ask it through the SPI bus. Three Sensor Interfaces can be found in the system: Voltage to Frequency Converters: With the aim to unify the output signal, a V/F converter has been designed. The converter is based in one AD654 monolithic converter, with a very low drift signal and low linearity error (0.03 %). The converter allows the possibility to adjust the input range (0-1V or 0-5 V) as well as the output range (10-30 KHz). For a minimum voltage input (0V) the value in frequency is 10 KHz, and for a maximum voltage input of 1 or 5 volts, the maximum frequency value is 30 KHz. RS232 to Frequency Converters: This converter brings the possibility to connect through a RS232 serial port to the ECU, sensors with a high logic level, that haven’t the possibility to access to their analogic value. Communication System: The communication system is based in this present version, in GSM (Global System for Mobile) Technology, but without excluding the possibility to use higher communication levels, like GPRS/UMTS. The stored data in the ECU unit, are processes in SMS format for to be send

through the GSM modem to the receiver unit in land, placed in the Control Centre, presently at ICCM. The Data Receiver system has a Visual Basic 6 Software Application, in charge to control the GSM modem receiver. The application is asking continuously the GSM modem. When a new SMS is found, the application checks its format and finally the data set is processed. All information is placed in a primary data base as a *.raw format. The information is processed following an established protocol: all frequency values are converted to physical values for every measured parameter. Finally, the processed information (physical values, date and hour, buoy ID and GPS position) are stored in a secondary Data Base, to be used as information to support a specific GIS (Geographic Information System) application, who has been designed to manage and display all network buoys. Red ACOMAR also has specific buoys for wave height and direction measurements. Nowadays, they are eleven Directional Waverider Mk-III buoy units working in the Macaronesian area (six in Azores, three in Canaries and two in Madeira). The buoy has an accurate and well-proven stabilized platform sensor, enabling wave height measurements by a single accelerometer. For wave direction, direct pitch and roll measurements are performed needing no integration. In combination with horizontal accelerometers and a compass this forms the complete sensor hull. The hull is 0.7 m. diameter and one year of continuous operation. As additional equipment, the buoy integrates HF link up to 50 km over sea (by powering up the transmitter and using a directional receiving antenna the HF range can be stretched); a GPS receiver; a water temperature sensor providing SST; a data logger based on flash card technology; onboard energy meter in charge to monitor the actual energy consumption of the buoy.

B. Land-Base Meteorological Stations Meteorological stations are also supporting as a real-time monitoring system the Red ACOMAR mainly with two models: Vaisala Weather Transmitter WXT510 and Davis Vantage Pro2 Plus Wireless Weather Station. Nowadays, they are ten stations deployed as follow: six in Azores (all at sea level) and four in Canaries (two at sea level –ICCM and Las Palmas de Gran Canaria harbour-, one in 296 meters above sea level –Tafira- and one in 1939 meters above sea level –Pico de la Gorra-. Meteorological stations are standard suited with wind speed and direction, relative humidity, air pressure, solar radiation, rainfall and intensity. Additionally, Vantage Pro2 stations at ICCM, Tafira and Pico de la Gorra are suited with high-volume total suspended particles (TSP) samplers (Fig. 4), with an average flow rate of 60 m3 h-1. Aerosol collection was performed daily for 12 h (18-06 UTC).

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Fig. 4. (a) Location of three meteorological stations in Gran Canaria island at different high levels. (b) TSP samplers in Pico de la Gorra site.

Determination of 5-days isentropic back trajectories at the sampling altitudes, twice a day (00:00 and 12:00 UTC, 6 hours step) were computed using the HYSPLIT-4 (Hybrid Single-Particle Lagrangian Integrated Trajectory) model [14] and the FNL meteorological data set produced by the U.S. National Centre for environmental Protection (NCEP). The results of the back-trajectories were coupled with daily TOMS-NASA aerosol index maps [15]-[16], true color images from the Moderate Resolution Image spectroradiometer (MODIS) and DREAM (Dust Regional Atmospheric Model) aerosol concentration maps and simulators [17]. Aerosol collection samples were transferred to individual zip-lock plastic bags after collection handled under a laminar flow clean bench housed in a trace metal-clean laboratory.

C. Other (drifting buoys, gliders, turtles, research vessels) The ACOMAR network is supported by other real-time

monitoring devices and systems. Among others, nowadays are in use gliders, drifting buoys, remote sensing tools, turtles with satellite link communication and sensors, research vessels,… providing all of them as a network, real-time information to the

main data base in order to help the end-user requirements and needs.

D. Handling and dissemination Data All Hourly, the Red ACOMAR server receives an SMS as a data set from each moored buoy and meteorological station unit with averaged information concerning physical, chemical and biological values from every monitored parameter, including also battery status, GPS position and other additional information. All data pass different steps in a quality control protocol and finally are included in a MySQL database. Finally, the information becomes free access and is showed through Internet in the network’s web page (Fig. 5).

Fig. 5. Slocum Glider A quality control has been designed for better modularity and information understanding, including a total of 5 processing levels [18]: Level -1. Signal Conditioner; Level 0: Electrical. Data are expressed in an electric scale, as a function of the maximum frequency ranges assigned; Level 1: Physical (Calibration Parameters).Through specific calibration equations, the physical value is obtained; Level 2: Indirect Physical. Some sensors obtain their physical value through the combination of several parameters (i.e. salinity, dissolved oxygen); Level 3: Presentation (Filter Application).Different filters are applied as a final step before to bring out the information on the screen to the end users. The data dissemination is available through a web page, including three windows: one is a GIS application, other a selector buoy window and finally the third one a real time data viewer frame. Inside the GIS frame, it is included different layers by zoom or selection. Also the system includes raster and vectorial files, as well as specific tools as distances calculation, buffers and print routines. The selector buoy window shows the real time data values from each buoy, including the possibility to select an specific temporal window by the user. Finally, the viewer data frame shows in a temporal window the data evolution available, both for a single or a request group buoy.

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Fi.e 6. (a) Software application’s main menu. (b) Six-month time series

from one buoy(c) Zoom-in on one week for four buoys.

The system has been developed using Autodesk Mapguide Server 6.5 version concerning the GIS frame, and Web applications for data handling. Nowadays, the system is working by Microsoft Internet Explorer 6.0 version or higher (with previous download of control ActiveX, included in the same web application) and 56KB or higher modems.

III. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Three examples have been selected as a representative result of the monitoring activities by Red ACOMAR network: Delta tropical storm, African dust events (Canary Islands) and Winter storm (Azores).

A. “Delta” Tropical Storm Delta was a late-season tropical storm of subtropical origin. After losing tropical characteristics, the cyclone caused casualties and storm-to hurricane-force winds in the Canary Islands Archipelago. Delta had a non-tropical origin: a broad area of low pressure formed on 19th November 2005 about 1200 nm. SW of Azores Archipelago. The system moved generally east-northeastward through 20th November. However, on 21th November, Delta turned northeastward wile it started developing central convection. On 22th Novbember, QuikSCAT data indicated the formation of an inner wind minimum. These indicate the low was acquiring some tropical cyclone characteristics. At the same time, satellite images indicate the low had become more isolated from the frontal clouds bands and it is estimated that a subtropical storm formed and centered about 755 nm. Southwest of Azores (Fig. 7a).

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Figure 7. (a) Delta Tropical storm path. (b) Meteorological data from a moored buoy. Tropical Storm “Delta”. 28th November 2005. Canaries.

A combination of increasing vertical shear and cold air entraiment caused Delta to lose tropical characteristics, and it is estimated it became extratropical on 28th November about 215 nm. West-northwest of the western Canary Islands. Delta

continued eastwards, passing 90 nm. North of Canary Islands, moving into Morocco early on 29th November. Finally the cyclone dissipated late on 29th November over northwestern Argelia. Meteorological data sampled on 28th November 2005 by one SeaMon buoy in Santa Cruz de Tenerife harbour during Delta. The special sampling frequency by the buoy (every five minutes), allow to sample meteorological parameters in high resolution (Fig. 6b). The plot show half-day data sampled with a frequency of five minutes, when the storm-eye was over Sta. Cruz de Tenerife harbour between 6 PM and 9:30 PM. Red line shows the air temperature warming (ten degrees Celsius in three hours) and blue line the wind speed values increase (from 25 Km/h at 6 PM to 130 Km/h at 9 PM). Air pressure (green) and relative humidity (brown) also show an important variation (18 mbar pressure between 2 PM and 9 PM and 40% in relative humidity between 7 PM and 9 PM).

B. African dust Transport Events African dust transport constitutes a large fraction of the annual atmospheric deposition in the Canary Islands. A record of total suspended particles (TSP) and the possible impact of dust pulses on metal fluxes to the Canary Islands Region have been studied during CLIMAAT and CLIMARCOST (INTERREG IIIB) projects. Dust outbreaks over the Canary Islands, are a weather situation which has important repercussions on activities as agriculture and the human health. Spatial variability of dust concentrations measured daily has been observed at different altitudes on Gran Canaria related with meteorological conditions, air mass trajectories and geographic features of relief in the island. During winter African dust outbreaks are characterized by intrusions in the lower altitude atmospheric levels. However, and opposite, typical meteorological situations during summer events produce dust transports at higher altitudes (> 2000 meters above sea level. Special features of relief in Canary Islands have been suggested that could determinate the altitude of dust intrusion [19]. The maximum deposition fluxes were observed during winter when large quantities of dust are carried out of North-western Africa, in particular from Saharan source regions. Winter events account up to one third of the total annual flux to the Canary Basin. One month sampling (May 2007) of meteorological data from four SeaMon buoys is compared with same period of samples of TSP in Gran Canaria island, during an African dust outbreaks event (between 8th and 12th May 2007). Meteorological parameters and TSP concentrations measured show a different behaviour (Fig. 8). One month sampling (15th July to 15th August 2007) of meteorological data from one SeaMon buoys is compared with same period of samples of TSP in Gran Canaria, during an African dust outbreaks event (between 29th July and 1st August 2007). Meteorological parameters and TSP concentrations measurement plots are showed in Fig. 10.

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Fig. 8. (a) Meteorological data values from a group of four SeaMon buoys (May 2007) moored around Gran Canaria island. (b)-(c) TSP

distribution sampled at Tafira and Pico dela Gorra sites in May 2007.

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Fig. 9. (a) Maps of aerosols index from TOMS (Total Ozone Mapping Spectrometer) between 7th and 12th May 2007. (b) MODIS satellite

image from May 9th 2007. Both events show significant behavior differences over the one-month time series selected concerning to TSP concentrations and meteorological parameters. Air temperature values increases 8-10 ºC at the same time relative humidity decreases by 40%. Wind speed decreases as well 12-15 m/s and the wind direction becomes East. Water temperature, increases 0.8-0.9 ºC during the event. Regarding TPS values, during the event concentrations increases up to 5 times.

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(c) Fig. 10. (a). Meteorological data values from one SeaMon buoy (15

July and 1st August 2007) moored around Gran Canaria island. (b)-(c). Distribution of TSP sampled at Tafira and Pico de la Gorra

sites for the same period.

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(b) Fig. 11. (a) Maps of aerosols index from TOMS (Total Ozone

Mapping Spectrometer) between July 27th and August 1st of 2007. (b) MODIS satellite image from July 30th, 2007.

Also, TOMS maps sequence and MODIS satellite images for both sampled periods show clearly high concentration of aerosols in the area (Fig 9) and (Fig. 11).

C. Winter Sorm Azores archipelago during winter season is several times affected by big storms and strong sea-state conditions. During February 2007 the archipelago was specially affected by a sequence of low pressure systems on its west side with

trajectories Southwest-Northeast. This situation was the origin of a big storm between 20th and 21th February 2007. Through the wave buoys and land based meteorological stations available around the archipelago, was possible to monitoring the evolution of the sea state conditions, specially on parameters like wave height (Fig. 12a) and wind speed and wind direction. Also the model MAR3G from Instituto Hidrografico in Lisbon was used for the storm period, giving as a result high wave values nearly 16 meters (Fig. 12b).

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altura significativa (Hz) altura máxima provável (Hmax)

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Fig. 12. One month time-series of sea state conditions (Significant -Hz-, in blue and Maxim –Hmax-, in pink, height wave) from a

Waverider buoy mooring in Praia da Victoria (Azores) in February 2007. (b) MAR3G model results for the period.

IV. CONCLUSION

As a conclusion, The Macaronesian region represents for national and international research groups since several years ago, a very important and interesting working area for oceanography. After the first Meteor Cruise between 1925 and 1927, a lot of cruises using classical oceanography sampling devices and methods were and still working in the area. However, since some years ago, the Operational Oceanography concept arrives as well to this region. Regarding directly this topic, since 1999 the coastal area on the Macaronesian region also takes part in this improvement with the development of the Red ACOMAR Canarias. Combined with deep-ocean mooring lines and buoys, satellites, drifting buoys, gliders, ROV, AUV, and other vehicles and

devices, all of them linked through models and well performed databases, will assist in determining the state of the coastal ocean and its coupling with the atmosphere around the Macaronesia as a regional proposal contribution for the Coastal Ocean Observations Panel (COOP).

AKNOWLEDGEMENTS

First of all, the authors want to acknowledge the EU- INTERREG-IIIB Program for founding the CLIMARCOST project who allows us during the last two years the opportunity to update and maintain operational oceanography activities in the Macaronesian region. Also to thank some technologic partners like MARUM (Center for Marine Environmental Sciences) from Bremen University and GIC (Grupo de Ingeniería de Comunicaciones) from Las Palmas de Gran Canaria University for their support and collaboration. A special mention to the Macaronesian autohority harbours (Las Palmas, Tenerife, Madeira and Cape Verde Archipelagos), for supporting all of them our new developments and tests. Finally, thanks to Puertos del Estado for its countless support and experience, that in many aspects and cases, was a reference to follow.

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