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Bonaire National Marine Park - LIGHT AND MOTION
Light and Motion Bonaire is on its way to capturing information needed to evaluate the health of the reef. On Wednesday August 22, 2007 Ramon de Leon, Bonaire National Marine Park Manager, introduced American Professor Dr. Burton Jones, creator of the “Light and Motion” system. This innovative process measures changes in light and absorbed color to determine ocean water quality in the Bonaire National Marine Park. As explained by Dr. Burton Jones, professor at the University of Southern California who has donated his time and expertise, “Water quality is the chief variable in maintaining a healthy reef. If water quality goes bad, reef degradation is certain to follow. Unfortunately, by the time the changes are apparent to the naked eye, the damage has already been done, and reversal of the degradation is difficult or impossible.” Jones explained that scientific data is a necessary prelude to political action. Bonaire has had septic tanks for years and the reef is still fine, many would argue. As evidenced by the 18 year study period of the new waste water treatment plant, lack of hard scientific data means meetings not action. Fortunately, the recent nutrient study provided appropriate scientific data and, according to Ramon de Leon, the data was instrumental in his insisting on lower nutrient levels in the treated waste water than was previously envisioned. However, unlike the Nutrient study, a quarterly collection of data over a period of a year and a half, “Light and Motion” is designed to provide continuous, decade-long measurements along the developed Bonaire coast and will allow scientists to see the results of changes, both good and bad, that affect the water, the reef and ultimately Bonaire’s economy.
How does “Light and Motion” work? Approximately twenty moorings, rising from the ocean floor to a depth of 5m below the surface, are envisioned along the developed Bonaire coast. Small scientific instruments called “sensors” are attached to the mooring lines at three depths to measure the intensity of various colors of sunlight that penetrate to depth. By comparing readings scientists can identify harmful contaminants in the water. Since these “sensors” take and record data every 8 minutes, scientists are able to see trends. Ramon de Leon explained that the trends will be used to evaluate the effectiveness of efforts to reduce contaminants, such as the forthcoming sewage treatment plant, and to identify changes on Bonaire, such as increased population that increases contaminants. “Light and Motion” will measure the effect of nutrients in the water that can lead to excessive algae growth which can choke the reef to death. It will also measure dissolved organic matter, a byproduct of animal and human waste which can have the same effect.
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“Light and Motion” Funding and Support Currently, equipment for Light and Motion has been funded through a worldwide effort headed by popular American artist, Blue McRight. Locally, Albert Bianculli, noted photographer and Bonaire resident, volunteered to manage the 3 month trial (May-August, 2007) and volunteers have stepped forward to collect Light and Motion data and clean the sensors weekly. Caren Echrich, biologist and CIEE Instructor, will manage the process of forwarding the data to the American scientists who will process the data and return it to Bonaire for posting on the STINAPA web site. It is expected that information on water quality, as little as 1-2 weeks old, will be posted.
Light and Motion Sensor Program Donors 12/1/07- 12/31/07 GRAND TOTAL OF DONATIONS TO DATE: $12,870
CATEGORY 1 - “SALINITY SENSOR” DONORS: DeSalvo, George & Laura - for the Bonaire Reporter - $1,000 TOTAL FOR SALINITY SENSOR DONORS: $2,000
CATEGORY 2 - “NAMED” RAINBOW ARRAY & SENSOR SET DONORS: Batora, Erik - $150 Barnes, Marcus & Terri, Howard, Bill & Sandy, Erickson, Jody & Fredi Erickson - $150 Cable, Venny - $150 Collins, Ashley & Crowell, Douglas - $150 Cox, Harrie - $450 DePietro, Vincent - $150 Fitterling, Joanie & Dwight - $450 Fulks, Lynn & Todd - $150 Gillmour, Barbara & Robert - $150 Gnann, Dr. John - $150 Goodwin, Bill & Donna - $150 Gottschal, Karol - $150 Grove, Candace & Grant - $150 Hanackova, Eva - $150 Jensen, John & Cindi - $450 Johnson, Joy & Schindele, Paulette - $300 Kewley, Judy & Jim - $900 McRight, Blue - $150 Neal, Cassandra & Franklin - $900 Peterson, Bob & Catherine - $300 Ridley, Chile & Linda - $300 Wildin, Bill & Prawphan - $450 Winchester, Dr. Susan - $150 TOTAL FOR “NAMED” SENSORS: $5,850
CATEGORY 3 - “UNNAMED” SENSOR SET DONORS: Armacost, Jessie & Chris - $300 TOTAL FOR “UNNAMED” SENSORS: $900
CATEGORY 4 - “UNDERWATER READERS” DONORS: Stanfield, Michael & Jenni - $1,800 TOTAL FOR “UNDERWATER READERS”: $1,800
CATEGORY 5 - ‘UNDESIGNATED FUNDS” DONORS: Callahan, Megan - $40 TOTAL FOR “UNDESIGNATED FUNDS” DONORS: $1,120 « back
Light Absorption – The Key to Analyzing Water Containments As every photographer knows, seawater absorbs water unevenly. The red is first to go, followed by the blue. Green is the least absorbed color. This absorption characteristic of pure seawater is well known to scientists who use sophisticated and expensive underwater measuring equipment to determine the components of the water. If color absorption is unusual in the blue, it indicates the presence of chlorophyll, a byproduct of nutrients. On the other hand, if the absorption is unusual in the ultraviolet it indicates dissolved organic matter usually produced on land. In fact, modern ocean monitoring equipment can measure considerably more than these components but the cost of these instruments is well out of Bonaire’s budget. However, the American scientists, Burt Jones and Tom Reynolds, developed a unique lower-cost solution to meet Bonaire’s needs. Commencing in January 2007, the scientists deployed a single sensor, measuring only white light and temperature, and costing only $50 USD, at 20m outside Yellow Submarine. Encouraged by the data, the scientists returned in May 2007 with enough more sensors to deploy at two locations. Sensors were installed on buoys at Jerry’s Reef and Samur on Klein Bonaire at depths of 3m, 10m and 18M. Again, these sensors measured only white light and temperature. The white-light sensors provided excellent results. The scientists were able to calculate the overall light absorption, called the K value, of water at these locations and to graph the absorption over the three month period. The data showed a surprising long, ocean cold spell and reduced visibility on Bonaire between June 26 and July 19, 2007. However, while reduced visibility is caused by particles and components, including harmful containments in the water, the white sensors could only identify the event, not its causes. « back
Enter the “Rainbow Sensor” The “Rainbow Sensor” is actually three low-cost ($50) sensors, one white, and two modified by the insertion of a blue color filter and a green color filter. Later Rainbow Sensors will have a UV filter in place of the white sensor. While the Rainbow Sensor does increase the cost per array from $150 USD (a white sensor at three depths) to $450 USD (white, blue and green at three depths), this cost is well below the $8,000 -$20,000 cost of the precision instruments traditionally used by scientists. Ramon de Leon believes that the Rainbow Sensors will be adequate for Bonaire’s purposes, and Ms. McRight is confident that donations will cover the additional expense. « back
Light and Motion –Implementation By September 1, 2007, it is expected that five sensor arrays, three Rainbow arrays and two white-only locations will be installed on Bonaire. This deployment will utilize 33 of the 60 sensors currently donated. Bianculli and de Leon will manage the deployment and develop the process for further deployment. As suitable mooring locations and funding become available, the number of deployments will be increased and capabilities augmented. It is hoped that a complete set of moorings with Rainbow Sensors will be in place for Bonaire’s busy season. « back
Volunteers - The Key to Success Light and Motion will not be a success unless Bonaire’s residents volunteer to clean the sensors and collect the data. The task can easily be accomplished by experienced recreational divers. In most cases the sensor arrays are accessible from the shore. It is envisioned that a volunteer can make two dives in a morning, servicing two sensors arrays. It is hoped that ten volunteer teams, each servicing two sensor arrays weekly, will step up and volunteer. Yellow Submarine will supply the air for volunteers at no charge. Absent volunteers, very expensive self cleaning, self reporting sensors costing upward of $50,000 per mooring ($1,000,000USD for 20 sensors) would be required to collect similar data. For anyone who makes their living from the water, becoming a volunteer is in their enlightened self-interest. Bonaire’s economy is largely tied to tourism, specifically snorkeling and SCUBA diving, both dependent on a healthy reef. In a very real sense, as the reef goes so goes Bonaire. « back
Light and Motion- The Future A relatively expensive addition to the sensor array, although tiny compared to the cost of traditional methods, is an instrument that can measure the salinity, and thereby detect the presence of fresh water. Fresh water directly indicates land runoff and seepage. The presence of contaminants, together with fresh water, points directly to the land as the source of reef damage. Ramon de Leon would like 10 freshwater sensors at a costs of $1,000 each ($10,000 total). STINAPA has pledged matching funds for donations for freshwater sensors. « back
The Latest Results ... soon to come... « back
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