High Vertical Resolution Sampling in Density Interfaces of Estuaries and River Plumes

• Published in: Estuaries and coasts 2008-04, Vol.31 (2), p.258-268
• Main Authors: Mösso, C., Sierra, J.P., Rodilla, M., Romero, I., Falco, S., del Río, J. González, Sánchez-Arcilla, A.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animal and plant ecology; Animal, plant and microbial ecology; Biological and medical sciences; Biological properties; Brackish; Brackish water ecosystems; Coastal Sciences; Continental shelves; Earth and Environmental Science; Ecology; Environment; Environmental Management; Estuaries; Fresh water; Fresh water ecosystems; Freshwater; Freshwater & Marine Ecology; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Marine systems; Mineralization; Nutrients; Particulate matter; Plumes; River deltas; River plumes; River water; Rivers; Salinity; Salts; Sampling; Sampling methods; Shallow water; Studies; Surface water; Synecology; Water; Water analysis; Water and Health; Water samples; Water sampling
• ISSN: 1559-2723; 1559-2731
• DOI: 10.1007/s12237-007-9009-4

One of the most common procedures for studying the physical and biochemical processes in highly stratified areas, such as estuaries or river plumes (which can be very thin surface layers), is to take water samples and analyze them in a laboratory. To acquire samples in these areas with enough vertical resolution to describe the major changes in the physical and biochemical parameters that can occur near the density interface is often difficult. This paper presents two devices designed to take samples with high vertical resolution in density interfaces. The first device is for sampling in plumes and regions of freshwater influence and is based on the ones presented in Naudin et al. (Journal of Marine Systems 28:203-227, 2001) and Durand et al. (Continental Shelf Research 22:267-284, 2002). This device was able to obtain an accurate description of the river plume's vertical structure, although the plume was extremely thin,