German Bight -image: data from ESA, processed by Hereon

Measurement Piles

ICBM pile at Spiekeroog. -image: ICBM / Universität Oldenburg-

ICBM pile at Spiekeroog. -image: ICBM / Universität Oldenburg-

Stationary platforms in the COSYNA network offer the advantage of producing continuous, high-resolution time series of meteorological, oceanographic, and water quality parameters. They yield insights into the system’s variability from seconds to inter-annual variations. In the German Bight, COSYNA has operated various installations such as on the off shore platform FINO3, and smaller, self-contained poles in the Wadden Sea and at the mouth of the Elbe to record data used to study the exchange of energy and matter between the shallow, intertidal near-coastal basins and the German Bight.
Time series of oceanographic, meteorological, and biogeochemical data have been continuously recorded since 2002 at a measuring pole of the Institute for Chemistry and Biology of the Marine Environment in the tidal channel of the Otzumer Balje close to the island of Spiekeroog. This station is part of the COSYNA network since 2012. The acquired data sets are fundamental for the improvement and validation of model results as well as to answer various research questions such as concerning the impact of storm surges, algal blooms on sediment dynamics, and exchange processes. The data sets are also valuable for assessing the long-term variability of oceanographic and biological parameters and determining anthropogenic impacts.
The Spiekeroog time-series station consists of a 35.5 m long pile with a diameter of 1.6 m that is driven 10 m into the sediment. The temperature, conductivity, and pressure sensors are deployed within five horizontal tubes (1.5, 3.5, 5.5, 7.5, and 9 m above the seafloor) that are aligned in the main current direction. A platform is mounted on top of the pile, about 7 m above sea level. It consists of two laboratory containers hosting a second platform at 12 m above sea level that is equipped with solar panels, a wind turbine, and meteorological sensor systems. Oceanographic sensors are installed in special tubes within the pole that are oriented in the main direction of the tidal fl ow. An acoustic Doppler current profiler is mounted 1 m above the seafloor on a horizontal arm of 12 m length. The Spiekeroog time-series station is capable of withstanding storm events and ice conditions.

Meteorology:Wind, air temperature, pressure, precipitation, irradiance, humidity
Oceanography:Current velocity, wave height, temperature, salinity, suspended matter, chlorophyll, pH, oxygen saturation