Data are flowing in from all devices, but some of the by instrument plots aren’t updating. We hope to have all data services back online next week.

This appears to be the result of low salinity in the surface waters in the Strait, which in turn is the result of the high flow rates out of the Fraser River during the spring freshet. High-frequency radar waves travel best over highly conductive (salty) water; the effective range of high-frequency radar systems is greatly reduced over fresh water.

The range of radials from the Coal Terminal CODAR station appears to be reduced, particularly towards the north. The effect on the Iona CODAR station, though, appears to be much more dramatic. This is perhaps because the Iona CODAR antenna looks out not onto open water as the Coal Terminal antenna does, but onto mudflats that are exposed during much of the tidal cycle.

This is the first year of operation of the complete CODAR system, so it is unclear how long this situation will prevail. The system was first made operational in early August of last year. Although there will undoubtedly be variations in the freshet and its effects on the VENUS CODAR system from year to year, presumably the system will return to full functionality by August, and hopefully before then.

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Update 2013-May-10
The Meteorological Station was restored on 2013-May-07, data are flowing again.

Live Data applets on the homepage, video streams and data plots will not update regularly during this time. Some data may be unavailable from the VENUS Download Data page.

The team plans to:

- Recover and redeploy instrument systems in Saanich Inlet.
- Re-install the Delta Dynamics Laboratory platform in Strait of Georgia at 110m.
- Add the Seismic Liquefaction In-situ Penetrometer (SLIP) to the Delta Dynamics study area.
- Install new sensors and systems developed by ONCCEE at the Delta Dynamics and Strait of Georgia East study areas.
- Re-install the DFO’s Institute of Ocean Sciences Hydrophone array at Strait of Georgia East 170m.
- Deploy the Bottom Boundary Layer experiment in the Strait of Georgia Central 300m study area.

Due to the number of platforms being deployed during this cruise, it will take the ONC Data team more time to update all the data services on the VENUS website.

To follow the cruise and receive up to date information visit the dedicated website: Wiring the Abyss 2013

Oxygen and temperature data collected on an AUV mission in Saanich Inlet on April 17, 2013. Plotted by Dr. Jody Klymak (SEOS, UVic)

In April 2013, the AUV (“Bluefin”) successfully ran a test science mission in Saanich Inlet. Operated by engineers from the UVic’s Ocean Technology Lab, led by Dr. Colin Bradley, the AUV enhances capabilities of VENUS – the coastal ocean observatory of Ocean Networks Canada.

For test deployment in Saanich Inlet the AUV was equipped with key oceanographic sensors, oxygen and temperature, and a multibeam sonar to scan the seafloor. The test mission focused on mapping the Inlet structure to assess both the early spring conditions and whether any mid or deep water intrusions have occurred.

According to Dr. Jody Klymak, an oceanographer from the UVic’s School of Earth and Ocean Science, who helped to organize the science mission, the main objective of the mission was to fully assess capabilities of the mini-sub. “It is an advanced multipurpose tool, and we would like to see it support ongoing research programs at SEOS”. The AUV is capable of powered flight in waters down to 200m depth and can run for up to 8 hours gathering valuable data from the geographically dispersed areas.

Preliminary assessment of the test-mission data from several weeks ago clearly shows that the deep water renewal event in Saanich Inlet has not occurred yet. The event, a long studied natural phenomena, is a harbinger of the spring-coming in Saanich Inlet, when oxygen-rich waters and nutrients finally reach the seasonally hypoxic fjord.

• ONC Associate Director, User Services
• ONC Staff Scientist – Plankton Dynamics/Ocean Biogeochemistry
• ONC Staff Scientist – Deep-Sea Benthic Ecology
• ICT Business Development Officer

Please follow the links above for more details.