Coastal Observatory
How are climate
change and human
activities affecting the
Irish Sea? Researchers
from the Proudman Oceanographic
Laboratory in Liverpool have
set up a Coastal Observatory
to monitor change and improve
ocean models and forecasts.
Information from instruments and
satellites is automatically beamed
back to the laboratory. Image Credit: Laura Gamble, POL
Several large rivers flow into the Irish Sea carrying freshwater, nutrients and pollutants that mix with the sea water so that it is constantly changing.
What are we measuring?
Moored platforms in the Irish Sea measure
important conditions such as currents,
temperature, saltiness and the size of
waves. Ferries with instruments onboard
measure the amount of oxygen in the
water while gauges around the coast
record tides. Shore-based radars and
satellites record other important information
like surface currents and the presence
of plankton. A meteorological station on
Hilbre Island records
the weather. Image Credit: PML Remote Sensing Group
During the warm summer months, the sea absorbs heat from the atmosphere so it is warmest in the autumn. It loses heat during the winter so that sea water is coolest during spring.
Measuring sea level
Measuring sea level is important because
millions of people live on land threatened
by coastal fl ooding. Scientists at Proudman
Oceanographic Laboratory use tide
gauges and other instruments around
the world to measure sea level.
Long-term predictions of average and
extreme sea level help politicians make
decisions about building flood defences. Image Credit: Les Bradley, POL
Since 1900, sea level has risen an average of 20 centimetres around the world. Most of this rise is due to the ocean expanding as it warms, the remainder by melting glaciers.
High quality sea level measurements taken by mariner,
William Hutchinson, from 1764 to 1793 at Liverpool Old
Dock are still used by researchers today.
When the worst storm surge in 20 years struck the east coast of England in 2007, scientists from the Proudman Oceanographic Laboratory accurately predicted the size of the surge a day in advance allowing warnings to be issued.
Content Credit: Proudman Oceanographic Laboratory