Water Column Analysis
Water column analysis can be derived utilising a wide range of fixed and towed sensors, and the chemical, physical & biological characteristics of freshwater and seawater can be monitored, analysed and quantified.
These parameters include, but are not limited to, periodic recording & monitoring of pH levels, temperature, Total Suspended Solids (TSS), turbidity and biota.
Information is referenced to a set of industry standards against which compliance can be assessed, commonly to determine water quality relating to the health of ecosystems, safety of human contact and drinking water.
Environments requiring monitoring can range from rivers and watercourses, where the effect of heavy rainfall, surface water run-off or outfall discharges needed monitored, to activities involving dredging works and maritime construction projects and their impact on the local ecosystem and beyond.
With experience and involvement in a wide range of monitoring schedules, from those required by utility companies relating to human health and well-being to government and legislative led requirements in coastal and near-shore areas as well as in ports & harbours, river, estuaries, lochs and reservoirs, we can offer a range of services tailored to project specific requirements.
Our survey fleet, both onshore and offshore, ensures a solution can be found whatever the environment, from deep water deployments offshore to isolated reservoirs situated in challenging highland terrains accessible via specialist 4×4 vehicles and tidally affected coastal bays where a hovercraft offers the only safe access option.
Our expertise is derived from extensive experience in;
Seabed mounted & vessel mounted profiling systems.
Multi-parameter sondes with real-time data logging; including Temperature / Conductivity, pH, Dissolved Oxygen, Turbidity, Chlorophyll, Blue-Green Algae and Rhodamine.
Water sample collection via Niskin Bottle & Auto-Samplers with UKAS accredited laboratory analysis and reporting.
Marine outfall studies including dye tracing, drogue tracking & ADCP data capture and reporting.
The project scale can be increased or decreased dependent on individual requirements, budgets and locations – which can vary from individual lochs to large offshore wind farm installations.
Previous projects include;
Large scale water quality monitoring of the River Almond catchment; 24 locations, simultaneous data capture via fixed multi-parameter sondes, water sampling, analysis & reporting.
Multi-parameter sonde with real-time data logging within tidally affected River Waver & Moreicombe Bay [accessible only via hovercraft] to assess impact of trade effluent outfall discharge.
Water sample collection via Niskin Bottle & analysis via UKAS accredited laboratory analysis at Loch Duntelchaig reservoir to assess potential impact on health of local ecosystems.
Localised water quality monitoring of the Lochty Burn, Carnoustie with simultaneous data capture via fixed multi-parameter sondes, water sampling, analysis & reporting.
It is recognised that river water quality also affects coastal water quality, as any catchment effectively extends offshore and can impact upon the wider marine environment.
Nutrients and sediment originating in rivers can have a direct effect on marine species and storm-generated sediments originating from upper catchments can impact on lower reaches and the coastal environment.
Our multi-discipline approach ensures that the full range of environments can be monitored, offering a clear picture of the impact that events in one area can have on other further afield locations.
