INSTRUMENTATION AND DATA ANALYSIS IN MARINE SCIENCES (250575) – Course 2025/26 PDF
Contents
Different types of observation platforms used to integrate the marine instrumentation that we will use to make measurements of oceanographic parameters are described. Different types of platforms will be described: fixed, mobile, autonomous, wired observatories, platforms for making measurements in-situ or remotely, surface, background, etc ... Observation platforms, depending on the characteristics, can offer different capabilities when integrating different types of measuring instruments. This session will describe the most important features in terms of autonomy, power systems, wired or wireless communication systems, flotation, anchoring, etc ...
Specific Objectives
Know the types and characteristics of marine observation platforms. Know and be able to describe the capabilities of a marine observation platform. Have criteria for deciding which type of platform is most suitable for carrying out different types of oceanographic measurements or experiments.
Dedication
4h Large group + 5h 36m Self StudyThe measurement procedure and method used by an instrument is associated with certain characteristics such as the resolution, uncertainty or accuracy of the measurement. This session will explain these concepts and how to use them for a correct interpretation of the measures. In order to integrate an instrument into an observation platform it is necessary to take into account different aspects about communications, power supply, autonomy, as well as the weight, buoyancy or even hydrodynamic characteristics of the instrument. This session describes all these features and how the instrument manufacturer provides them.
Specific Objectives
To know the characteristics associated with a measurement procedure and its interpretation. Know the basic characteristics needed for an instrument to be integrated into an observation platform.
Dedication
4h Large group + 5h 36m Self StudyIn this session there will be a detailed description of the different instruments most commonly used to make measurements at sea such as conductivity, temperature, salinity, turbidity, dissolved oxygen, pH, pressure, currents, waves, underwater noise. Examples of commercial instrumentation are described in this session, and the state of the art in the measurement of different types of variables since physical variables such as temperature or depth follow well-established and traceable procedures, but other biological variables or chemicals still require sampling and in-situ measurement is not yet feasible. In this lab session, knowledge about serial communications with an instrument such as the CTD, its configuration, and data reading is put into practice. In this laboratory session, knowledge about serial communications with an instrument such as the weather station, its configuration, and data reading is put into practice, in order to finally be able to generate standard data files. In this laboratory session, knowledge about serial communications is put into practice with an instrument such as the current meter, its configuration, and data reading, in order to finally be able to generate standard data files. In this laboratory session, knowledge about serial communications with an instrument such as the hydrophone, its configuration, and data reading is put into practice, in order to finally be able to generate standard data files.
Specific Objectives
Know the instruments that are usually used to make measurements at sea. Interpret correctly how they work, their capabilities and limitations. Know the commercial instrumentation and its characteristics. Be able to set up and implement a CTD and perform real-time measurements or data download. Be able to set up and operate a weather station and perform real-time measurements or data downloads. Be able to set up and run a current meter and perform real-time measurements or data download. Be able to set up and operate a hydrophone and perform real-time measurements or data download.
Dedication
12h Large group + 24h Laboratory classes + 50h 24m Self StudyThis session describes the different protocols, mechanisms and devices used in marine instrumentation: From the most common wired communication systems such as serial or ethernet communication buses, to describing how wireless acoustic communications are implemented underwater. , or wireless communications capabilities out of the water using satellites or mobile phone protocols. This session describes the different options for energizing an observation platform and how it provides energy to the instrumentation used. The characteristics of wired or stand-alone power systems that can use renewable batteries or energy sources are described.
Specific Objectives
Know the characteristics and capabilities of communication systems. Be able to choose which communication system may be most appropriate depending on the measurement requirements and the location of the instrumentation. Know the characteristics and limitations of the energy systems used in observation platforms.
Dedication
4h Large group + 5h 36m Self StudyOnce the measuring instruments transmit the information, it will be stored digitally to be processed: This section describes the most common formats with which to store datasets such as CSV, NetCDF, O & M, etc ... This session describes some of the computer tools used such as Ocean Data View among others. Statistical methods for the detection of errors that allow a correct filtering and visualization of the data generated by the measuring instruments are presented in this session. Quality control methods based on range and outliers verification, temporal coherence, coherence between variables, temporal coherence of series, and spatial coherence are described. In this session, algorithms will be implemented to perform quality control of different types of variables and based on the verification of ranges and outliers, temporal coherence, coherence between variables, temporal coherence of the series, and spatial coherence.
Specific Objectives
Know the di Know the basic operation of some computer applications for data representation. Know basic techniques for the detection and filtering of aberrant measures, offset or drifts. Know the methods applied by the scientific community for data quality control. Learn to program data quality control algorithms.
Dedication
6h Large group + 6h Laboratory classes + 16h 47m Self Study