The Shallow Marine and Coastal Research Infrastructure (SMCRI) in

support of SANOCEAN

SANOCEAN Conference 2019, Nelson Mandela University – 26 March 2019

South African Environmental Observation Network

A comprehensive, sustained, coordinated and responsive South African in situ environmental

observation network that delivers long-term reliable data for scientific research and informs decision making

for a knowledge society and improved quality of life.

Science strategy

Establish innovative marine research platforms and information management systems for long-term multi-disciplinary, multi-institutional and

participatory ecosystem studies with strong regional and global linkages

10 SMCRI Platforms

SMCRI Platforms

SAEON

Biogeo-chemistry

Sentinel Sites

Airborne remote sensing

Hyperbaric

Data Mngmt

Science Engagement

SAIAB

Coastal Craft Fleet

ATAP

Marine Optics

Algoa Bay Sentinel Site for LTSER

• Algoa Bay Sentinel Site for LTER collecting data since 2008• Include all coastal ecosystems, e.g. estuaries, subtidal reefs, etc.

EOV and EBV measured• Continuous

– Temperature; Current direction & strength; swell; salinity; O2; pH; pCO2; chl-a

– Tagged species movement • Monthly

– Coastal pelagic ecosystem: Physical; Chl-a; nutrients; phytoplankton & zooplankton biomass and community composition; microplastics

– Sandy beach LTER• Quarterly

– Estuaries pelagic ecosystem: Physical; Chl-a; nutrients– Airborne remote sensing– SBRUVs

• Annual– Sea level rise in estuaries (RSET since 2009)– Airborne remote sensing– Rocky shore LTER (DEA O&C)

• Fully equipped coastal research craft & vessels • Current, wave, salinity, telemetry, pCO2 & pH, CTD, water

level and temperature sensors• Real time surface Data Buoys with surface climate sensors

Acoustic receiver Data Buoy SBRUVS CTD+Niskin Rosette

Infrastructure at Sentinel Sites

Real-time Coastal Observation Moorings

Proposed Marion Island SS

• Wind – (UP & CSIR); Climate (SAWS)• Coastal temperature (DEA O&C)• Rocky shore & Kelp ecology (DEA O&C; UWC)• Biogeochemistry of inshore & streams

Satellite Sentinel Sites

• Sites– Namaqua NP MPA– Mossel Bay– Tsitsikamma NP MPA– Port St Johns / Silaka/Mkambati MPA– Sodwana MPA

• Coastal Observation Mooring• ADCP + thermistor strings + UTR

Red Sands

Rabbit Rock

CCU: Ocean Sciences CampusNelson Mandela University dedicated campus

Coastal biogeochemistry platform

• AA3 Nutrient Auto Analyser• Fluorometer / PAM /

spectrophotometers • Flash Elemental analyzer

– TOC; TIC; DOC; POC; SOC; TON; DON

• Link in with Biogeochemistry RIP

Dive & Hyperbaric Platform

• Research Dive Unit (Fully equipped)• Hyperbaric Chamber • Links with Nelson Mandela University

RDU and Dive School

Data Management Platform• Access to the research infrastructure and

platforms is on the principle of equal, open but competitive basis.

• All data collected by the DST / NRF platforms are:– Free and open data by default – High quality and quantity (limited data gaps)– Usable by all (i.e. understandable)– Released specifically for improved governance

National Estuaries Network

National Networks – SA Coastal Temperature

173 loggers

Airborne remote sensing

• Glasair Sportsman 2+2 Light Sports Aircraft• HD georeferenced aerial photography, infrared and thermal cameras• LiDAR / Hyperspectral Imager (downstream)• Hangared in Port Elizabeth International Airport• 1 x annual national coastal survey + seasonal @ SS + event sampling

20

• SBRUV, Jump Cameras, Deep Lander, ROV• Contributing significantly towards MPA work and

pharmaceutical bio-discovery• New Deep-Lander recently tested (500 - 1000 m)• Elwandle developed Compact SBRUV for coastal

and estuarine applications

Marine Remote Imagery Platform

National Networks – ATAP

Kei Mouth

Science Engagement• Platform provision to

– > 50 postgraduate students– > 40 scientists– > 25 research entities

• Science engagement– Outreach to 13 high schools– Science Centre on OSC– > 10,000 learners– > 30 educators

Value chain

THANK YOU