Irish Sea

Ammonium and ammonia concentration parameters in water bodies; Chlorophyll pigment concentrations in water bodies; Dissolved oxygen parameters in the water column; Raw fluorometer output; Nitrate concentration parameters in the water column; Phosphate concentration parameters in the water column; Salinity of the water column; Nitrite concentration parameters in the water column; Silicate concentration parameters in the water column; Temperature of the water column

Fluorometers; salinity sensor; colorimeters; autoanalysers; CTD; water body temperature sensor

Nutrient and hydrographic data are collected in two areas. Firstly at station about 5km west of Port Erin (54° 5.5'N, 4° 50'W) known as 'Cypris' station, and secondly at 9 stations approximately 10 nautical miles apart along the 54° N parallel from the Irish to the English coast. Temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen and orthophosphate have been collected at the 'Cypris' station since 1954 with a minimum frequency of once a month and at a minimum of two depths (surface and bottom). Silicate, nitrate, nitrite, ammonia and chlorophyll-a were added at later dates. Nutrient analysis was initially carried out using standard colorimetric methods, initially manually, but since 1991 using an autoanalyser. Sampling cruises along 54° N were carried out in 1958-1959, 1965-1969 and 1988. Summer and winter data are available. The work is ongoing with one summer and one winter sampling trip each year since 1992. Temperature, salinity and nutrient samples are taken by IOS sampling bottles at 20m depth intervals. Surface and bottom samples only are taken for oxygen (Winkler) and chlorophyll-a determination. A Sea-bird CTD has been used since 1992 to obtain salinity, temperature and fluorescence profiles. Measurements at both the 'Cypris' station and along 54° N continue to be taken, funded at present by the Manx Government.

Slinn, J. (1974) Water circulation and nutrients in the North-west Irish Sea., Estuarine and Coastal Marine Science, Volume 2, Issue 1: pp 1- 25.; Slinn, J. and Eastham (1984) Routine hydrographic observations in the Irish Sea off Port Erin Isle of Man during 1972-1981 inclusive., Annals Biologiques, Vol 38: pp 42-44.

University of Liverpool, Port Erin Marine Laboratory

Port Erin
Isle of Man
IM9 6JA
United Kingdom