Water Quality Profiling System
Each platform is equipped with an Endeco/YSI* profiling system consisting of the following hardware:
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| 1. Variable profiler winch assembly. 2. Modem antenna. 3. Water tight housing for data logger/sensor control module and modem. 4. Water tight housing for battery. | |
The YSI 6600 is equipped with the following sensors:
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The system automatically performs water quality profiles at user defined time intervals and depths. Every 24 hours data from the stations are downloaded to a base station computer in the USGS office in Henderson, Nevada. Water-quality data along a vertical profile are available in the near-real-time data section of this website.
A typical profiling sequence is shown in the animation. First, the winch raises the multiprobe from a user defined parking depth to the first target depth. After the target depth is achieved, the sensors warm-up for 60 seconds, then measure their respective parameters. Data from the sensors are logged and the winch lowers the multiprobe to the next programmed depth where the warm-up-measurement sequence is repeated. After measurements are completed at the final target depth, the winch moves the multiprobe back to the parking depth, where it waits until the next profile start time. The time it takes to complete a profile depends on the depth interval between measurements and the total depth profiled. Profiles at Virgin Basin and Sentinel Island, which are deep-water sites (>50 meters), with target depths 5 meters apart, take about 60 minutes to complete. Profiles at Las Vegas Bay and Overton Arm, which are shallow-water sites (<50 meters), with target depths 2 meters apart, take 30 minutes to complete. The maximum depth that the profiling system can achieve is 90 meters and the minimum depth is 0.5 meters. |
