M3A system (2000-2005) - Operation and maintenance

Petihakis, G; Drakopoulos, P; Nittis, C; Zervakis, V; Christodoulou, C; Tziavos, C

dc.contributor.author	Petihakis, G	en
dc.contributor.author	Drakopoulos, P	en
dc.contributor.author	Nittis, C	en
dc.contributor.author	Zervakis, V	en
dc.contributor.author	Christodoulou, C	en
dc.contributor.author	Tziavos, C	en
dc.date.accessioned	2014-03-01T01:56:20Z
dc.date.available	2014-03-01T01:56:20Z
dc.date.issued	2007	en
dc.identifier.issn	18120784	en
dc.identifier.uri	https://dspace.lib.ntua.gr/xmlui/handle/123456789/28064
dc.relation.uri	http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-33847386278&partnerID=40&md5=bf735d4278776e7be1ceff0079678b6d	en
dc.subject.other	biofouling	en
dc.subject.other	calibration	en
dc.subject.other	forecasting method	en
dc.subject.other	maintenance	en
dc.subject.other	mooring system	en
dc.subject.other	oceanographic equipment	en
dc.subject.other	sensor	en
dc.subject.other	Aegean Sea	en
dc.subject.other	Cretan Sea	en
dc.subject.other	Mediterranean Sea	en
dc.title	M3A system (2000-2005) - Operation and maintenance	en
heal.type	journalArticle	en
heal.publicationDate	2007	en
heal.abstract	During the pilot phase of the Mediterranean Forecasting System (MFSPP) (2000 2003), a prototype observing system (Mediterranean Moored Multi-sensor Array - M3A) was designed, developed and operated in the Cretan Sea for continuous oceanographic measurements in real time. The main problems encountered were associated with biofouling, underwater and aerial communication and with the design of the surface buoy. In the second phase of the MFS project named Mediterranean Forecasting System Towards Environmental Predictions (MFSTEP) (2003-2005), the aim was to solve those problems and to consolidate the M3A. For the minimisation of biofouling a pilot field study was performed and the techniques of bromine solution and copper shielding were evaluated. Additionally, the oligotrophy of the Aegean Sea dictated the need to ignore factory calibrations and to perform site-specific laboratory calibrations of the sensors. This procedure was proved necessary and produced calibration coefficients that gave results comparable to the measurements obtained with the laboratory analysis method. During the approximately five years of operation, there were 13 scheduled and 15 emergency visits, with a total duration of 65 days. The acquired experience through the maintenance program proved that the continuous observation of such a very important system with a relative low cost is feasible.	en
heal.journalName	Ocean Science	en
dc.identifier.volume	3	en
dc.identifier.issue	1	en
dc.identifier.spage	117	en
dc.identifier.epage	128	en