Abstract
Abstract. High-frequency data collected continuously over a multi-year time frame are required for investigating the various agents that drive ecological and hydrodynamic processes in estuaries. Here, we present water quality and current in situ observations from a fixed monitoring station operating from 2008 to 2014 in the lower Guadiana Estuary, southern Portugal (37°11.30' N, 7°24.67' W). The data were recorded by a multi-parametric probe providing hourly records (temperature, salinity, chlorophyll, dissolved oxygen, turbidity, and pH) at a water depth of ~ 1 m, and by a bottom-mounted acoustic Doppler current profiler measuring the pressure, near-bottom temperature, and flow velocity through the water column every 15 min. The time series data, in particular the probe ones, present substantial gaps arising from equipment failure and maintenance, which are ineluctable with this type of observation in harsh environments. However, prolonged (months-long) periods of multi-parametric observations during contrasted external forcing conditions are available. The raw data are reported together with flags indicating the quality status of each record. River discharge data from two hydrographic stations located near the estuary head are also provided to support data analysis and interpretation. The data set is publicly available in machine-readable format at PANGAEA (doi:10.1594/PANGAEA.845750).
Highlights
Estuaries are one of the most productive types of ecosystems on Earth and are of considerable value to both humans and wildlife
Multi-year in situ observations performed at high frequencies are desirable for investigating the various agents that drive their ecology and hydrodynamics
The SIMPATICO station has been operating from March 2008 until April 2014 in the lower Guadiana Estuary for the in situ continuous monitoring of current and water quality (Garel and Ferreira, 2011; Garel et al, 2009a)
Summary
Estuaries are one of the most productive types of ecosystems on Earth and are of considerable value to both humans and wildlife. The SIMPATICO (integrated system for in situ multiparametric monitoring in coastal areas) station has been operating from March 2008 until April 2014 in the lower Guadiana Estuary for the in situ continuous monitoring of current and water quality (Garel and Ferreira, 2011; Garel et al, 2009a) This estuary, at the southern border between Spain and Portugal, is a rock-bounded system of 80 km long, narrow (700 m at max) and relatively shallow (about 5 m deep, on average). The SIMPATICO monitoring station included a multiparametric probe providing hourly observations near the surface and a bottom-mounted Acoustic Doppler current Profiler (ADP) operating at 15 min intervals This contribution presents the data collected by these instruments between 2008 and 2014, together with the concurrent freshwater discharge into the estuary (Table 1). As a conclusion (Sect. 6), some of the key eco-hydrodynamic aspects that can be addressed by the data set are outlined
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