Poster Details
AQUATIC INSTRUMENT SYSTEM DATA CONSISTENCY ACROSS A CONTINENT: THE NEON COMMISSIONING APPROACH
The National Ecological Observatory Network’s (NEON) continental aquatic instrument system (AIS) must consistently deliver quality data over 30 years and across large spatial scales. NEON AIS consists of in-situ sensors in streams, rivers, and lakes that will monitor physical and hydrological conditions, as well as a suite of water quality parameters including temperature, DO, fDOM, pH, and nitrate. The NEON commissioning plan ensures the AIS performs at standards that meet NEON’s data requirements. As NEON finalizes construction, the AIS commissioning process assesses (i) process quality metrics in generating expected data quantities and validity, and (ii) data quality metrics based on accuracy and consistency. NEON commissioning assesses process quality by analyzing data coverage and status flags, and verifies sensor data quality by comparison to observational measurements corresponding to in-situ sensors. Here, we present surface water and groundwater stage and surface water temperature results from commissioning tests across 13 diverse sites spanning broad climatic, biogeochemical, and ecohydrologic gradients. Future NEON data delivery must follow these established commissioning standards as the AIS sensor network faces upgrades and replacements throughout the ensuing decades.
Guy Litt (Primary Presenter/Author), National Ecological Observatory Network - Battelle Ecology, glitt@battelleecology.org;
Jesse Vance ( Co-Presenter/Co-Author), National Ecological Observatory Network, jvance@battelleecology.org;