Bristol Channel and Severn Estuary

Chlorophyll pigment concentrations in water bodies; Vertical velocity of the water column (currents); Dissolved metal concentrations in the water column; Particulate metal concentrations in the water column; Nitrate concentration parameters in the water column; Phosphate concentration parameters in the water column; Primary production in the water column; Salinity of the water column; Horizontal velocity of the water column (currents); Temperature of the water column; Zoobenthos taxonomic abundance; Zooplankton and zoobenthos physiological condition parameters; Zoobenthos taxonomy-related counts; Concentration of suspended particulate material in the water column; Nitrite concentration parameters in the water column; Sea level; Dissolved trace metalloid and inorganic selenium concentrations in water bodies; Particulate trace metalloid and inorganic selenium concentrations in water bodies; Silicate concentration parameters in the water column; Inorganic chemical composition of sediment or rocks

Sea level recorders; current meters; nutrient analysers; plankton nets; benthos samplers; discrete water samplers; salinity sensor; sediment grabs; autoanalysers; atomic absorption spectrometers

The NERC Institute for Marine Environmental Research (IMER) was involved in an intensive study of the Bristol Channel from 1971 until 1980. Over 50 cruises were completed over that period, with the most intensive sampling taking place before 1975. A grid of 58 stations was established in the Bristol Channel and Severn Estuary and although not every station was sampled on every cruise, there was good geographical and temporal discrimination. Every month was sampled at least once in that period and some months in the spring and summer were sampled in 4 or 5 years. The project had two distinct phases. The earliest cruises were concerned with measuring parameters such as salinity, temperature, nutrient and metal concentrations and plankton biomass; these parameters were used to set the initial conditions for a model of the Bristol Channel (GEMBASE - a GEneral Model of the Bristol channel and Severn Estuary). The second phase of the fieldwork was concerned with studying key processes and establishing better parameters for GEMBASE. Data were also collected by the regional Water Authorities for the Severn Estuary on salinity, temperature, turbidity, metals concentration, etc. and these data were collated and stored at IMER (which became the PML in 1988).

Glover, R.S (1984) The Bristol Channel and Severn Estuary., Marine Pollution Bulletin 15(2): 37-81.

Plymouth Marine Laboratory
Prospect Place The Hoe
Plymouth
England
PL1 3DH
United Kingdom