Data Sampling And Acquisition

The study area has been sampled along the transects shown in the map (see below). Such transects cover the Montenegrin and Albanian coastal zone as well as two coast-to-coast open Adriatic Sea transects. Bio-optical and hydrological sampling was performed during the daylight hours, while Multibeam/CHIRP sampling was carried out at night.

Hydrological measurements include:

• CTD vertical profiles (pressure, temperature, conductivity, dissolved oxygen, light transmission, fluorimetry)
• Rosette water samples (nutrients, pigments, phytoplankton species, CDOM, TSM, dissolved O2 and salinity, the latter two to calibrate CTD sensors)

Bio-optical measurements include:

• SATLANTIC hyperspectral profiles of upwelling radiance and downward irradiance (350-700 nm range);
• T-FLAP expendable probe fluorescence profiles

Surface measurements include:

• Continuous meteorological standard observations (p, T, humidity, wind speed and direction);
• continuous surface T and S recording.

Biological and biogeochemical measurements include:

• Inorganic nutrients and total nitrogen and phosphorus concentrations;
• Oxygen concentration;
• Chlorophyll concentration;
• Phytoplankton pigment composition;
• Particulate organic matter concentration and composition;
• Incubation experiments to determine primary production;

Water samples were prepared and stored on board following standard protocols and procedures Some analysis would be performed on board, among them salinity and oxygen determination on bottle samples, DOM, Clorophyll.

In addition to the above, CHIRP SBP and Multibeam bathymetric data were acquired allover planned routes or during transits, and the seafloor was sampled by grab in predetermined stations or according to findings on the way.