Field testing of a water quality sensor package designed for long-term operation from buoys and other unattended marine platforms

The field testing of a water quality sensor package developed to measure gross water parameters from buoy and other unattended marine platforms is discussed. The parameters measured are chlorophyll, conductivity, dissolved oxygen, pH, temperature, and turbidity. The field testing described was conducted in a closed body of water so that reference data could be readily obtained and periodic inspections made of the sensor package. The package was mounted on an oceanographic buoy throughout the testing and all data was relayed via radio link through the buoy similar to the ocean deployments to follow.