Ocean and Environmental Management Group

Oceanographic and Marine Science

A YSI multiprobe hanging under a Niskin water sampler.

OEMG is able to manage, run or participate in oceanographic and marine science projects. This includes the scientific data collection (plankton, water, benthic infauna etc), and oceanographic data (tide, current, weather, physicochemical etc). We are also able to assist in the design and operation of specialist programs such as sediment flux, dredge plume monitoring and drill cutting plume monitoring.

In the Field
Our staff have been in the business of collecting oceanographic and marine science data for over 10 years. We have a good understanding of what will work and what will not. We collect data in some of the harshest and remote areas of the world including the Middle East and Africa and achieve results by carefully evaluating the expected conditions and choosing suitable equipment. For example, summers in the Arabian (Persian) Gulf often sees temperatures of over 50 degrees Celcius and salinities of over 80mS/cm. Many off the shelf sensors will not tolerate or accurately measure in these conditions.

We also recognise that equipment failure can cost thousands of dollars in down time while we wait for repairs to be made or spares to be sent. To mitigate against this, we work with the client to ensure quality, well maintained equipment is selected with redundancy to reflect the nature and location of the job. We are also experienced at trouble shooting and infield repairs of equipment. Should breakdowns occur we have good relationships with our suppliers and can often solve complex problems over the phone. Our staff carries a range of testing equipment and tools that will assist in many cases.

A Valeport Sound Velocity Probe being prepared for use.

Electronic Sampling Equipment
Electronic sampling equipment we regularly use includes:

Valeport Conductivity/Temperature/Depth sensors (CTD);
Valeport Tide Gauges (submersible and Surface mounted);
Valeport Current meters (electromagnetic and mechanical);
Van Essen CTD sensors;
Yeokal 611 and 612 multiprobes;
YSI Multiprobes;
RDI Acoustic Doppler Current Profilers (ADCP);
Hobo underwater temperature sensors; and
Hobo Weather stations;

KC Denmark Day grab being raised on the winch (note the closed jaws).

Mechanical Sampling
We regularly undertake marine sampling on projects, equipment we regularly use includes:

KC Denmark Day Grab;
Van Veen Grabs from various manufacturers;
Niskin samplers from various manufacturers;
Van Veen Grabs from various manufacturers;
Vibro cores from various manufacturers; and
Drop cores from various manufacturers;

Preparing to install a YeoKal 612 submersible multiprobe.

Underwater Installations
We have divers certified to Australian Occupational Standards which are recognised throughout the world and in many oil fields. Our experienced divers are able to undertake complex scientific works including:

Installation of permanent transects
Videography;
Installation of artificial reefs; and
Diver collected sampling.

We are also able to fabricate and install frames for submersible sensors including trawler proof cages for ADCP's.

Positioning
We are able to advise on, supply and/or utilise the following systems:

Veripos Satellite Based Augmentation (SBAS) GPS systems;
C-Nav SBAS GPS Systems;
Hemisphere, Trimble and Sokkia GPS systems utilising SBAS, differential beacons (where available) or base stations; and
Hand held GPS systems.

Mapping the various sediment fractions in the Dubai Creek prior to the Festival Creek development.

Data Management and Mapping
We are able to assist in your data management or mapping requirements. We will work with the client on projects to ensure that data is collected in a manner that is compatible with your systems, or design a data management system specific to the project. We are also able to undertake mapping on the fly or advanced thematic mapping to assist you or your client to visualise a projects status or the relationships between various components of an ecosystem, for example sediments and epibenthic fauna.

Oceanographic and Marine Science Projects

Projects undertaken by OEMG staff include

Barzan Phase 3 Environmental Baseline Survey - Technical Specialist
This was the third and final environmental survey for this stage of the Barzan field development in Qatar. Plankton sampling, grab sampling, water sampling and physicochemical sampling were all undertaken as part of the job.

Barzan Phase 2 Environmental Baseline Survey - Technical Specialist
This project was the environmental studies for the second phase of the Barzan field development in Qatar. Plankton sampling, grab sampling, water sampling, physicochemical sampling and video transects utilising a working class ROV were all undertaken as part of the job.

South Pars Phase II (Iran) for Total Fina Elf - Project Manager
This was a site survey and pre-lay survey for this phase of the South Pars field development. This job included collecting over 1000km of Multibeam, Boomer and Pinger, Side Scan and Maggy Data with both near shore and off shore operations. An environmental Team also collected over 150 environmental samples and some 50 drop (piston) cores.

Long Term Environmental Monitoring of the New Doha International Airport (NDIA) - Senior Scientist / Project Manager
This project is a large multi year assessment of the post construction impact of the NDIA. Project elements include Marine benthic habitat assessments, sediment traps and deposition assessments, ground water assessment, Air and noise modelling and geomorphological assessment of marine sediment transport.

Barzan Environmental Impact Assessment - Technical Specialist / Party Chief
This job involved providing technical assistance and leadership to the URS team undertaking the work offshore Doha. The job required the collection of Physicochemical and water samples from the water column at prescribed depths, collecting sediment samples using a Day grab and Plankton sampling.

Ras az Zawr Industrial City Environmental Values Study - Project Manager
This job involved the mobilisation of 8 scientists and an off shore vessel carrying two dive tenders to Saudi Arabia. Some 244 permanent transects were installed in addition to one month of turbidity and temperature data being collected from autonomous sensors.

Site inspection for a Rig Move for Wintershall and Anadarko (Qatar) - Project Management
This project involved two 1km by 1km geophysical and environmental site surveys for a rig placement. The job included collecting Multibeam, Boomer and Pinger, Side Scan and Maggy Data as well as underwater video and stills and grab samples for the environmental assay. A 30m Marine Bore Hole was drilled on each site. The Survey was conducted from the vessel MV Zaker Fugro and the drilling from the vessel MV Zaker Star.

Djibouti Environmental Impact Assessment - Field Scientist
An environmental impact assessment was carried out to assess the likely environmental impacts on the marine habitat, specifically corals, adjacent to the proposed construction during the development and operational phases of the container terminal. The job involved conducting line intercept transects to provide percentage cover assessments of seagrass, algae and corals as well as collecting water quality data. Key assessment areas included light attenuation, deposition of sediments and susceptibility of corals to bleaching.

Festival City EIS (Dubai) - Project manager
This survey required the deployment of autonomous and direct reading current meters, a tide gauge and water quality analysers as well as seabed sampling for benthic and geochemical analysis. The benthic sampling included both macro and micro fauna. Geochemical sampling was for heavy metals in the sub 63 micron fraction of the sediment. Responsibilities included Client Liaison, Project design and management, training of staff, sampling, sample preparation, data management, managing consultants and reporting.

Dubai Municipality Sand Borrow and EIS - Technical specialist
This project required environmental sampling, geophysical survey, vibrocoring, data management, interpretation and reporting. Responsibilities included managing the vibrocoring, data management, mapping and reporting as well consulting for the environmental team.

Palm (Jumeirah) Island EIS - Technical Specialist
This project was a baseline study of the seabed conditions of the Palm Island development area, which included bathymetric surveying, benthic sampling and the deployment of two current meters. Responsibilities included sediment and benthic sampling, sample preparation, data review and reporting.

Kuwait Institute of Scientific Research - Project Manager
This project required detailed oceanographic studies to enable the modelling of the coastline for the construction of a new power and desalination plant. Included the use of ADCP units, impellor based current meters, tide gauges, water quality meters, directional wave meters, weather stations, RTK GPS and a single beam echo sounder. Responsibilities included conducting the bathymetric and water quality surveys, instrument deployment, seabed sampling, data management and collation using GIS, client relations, budget tracking and reporting.

Featured Technology

How Accurate is my GPS?

A typical hand held GPS receiver (yes they are diamonds in the background!)

New hand held GPS receivers costing more than $200USD should regularly give an accuracy of better than 10m. For most marine science applications (eg, water quality or seabed sampling) this should be fine. A competent diver will also find seabed installations with this accuracy.

To increase your chances of a good position fix, ensure the antenna has a clear all around view of the sky, you have 5 or more satellites in view and these satellites are spread throughout the sky (not bunched up, or all low on the horizon). Check the satellite status page for all this information. You may also note an estimated error that is expressed as meters or DoP on this page. If you see DoP (Dilution of Precision) it should be less than 5. If your errors are high you will normally have to wait for 30 minutes to an hour before the satellites become more favourable in your area.

It is possible to increase the accuracy to less than 2m using by using either of the two free to air GPS correction systems, free Satellite Based Augmentation Systems (SBAS) or ground based RTCM signals or paid SBAS subscription services. Free SBAS systems currently include EGNOS in Europe and WAAS in the US, if your hand held receiver is capable of processing the WAAS signal (note WAAS and EGNOS are compatible signals) simply switch on the function in your GPS's menu. You will know it is working by looking at the Satellite status page and noting "3D Diff" and/or a small "D" symbol on the signal strength bar for each satellite in view. Similar systems should be coming on line in Japan, India and SE Asia soon. It is important that if you are not in a WAAS or EGNOS designated service area, this function is switched off on your GPS as stray or test signals may confuse your GPS.

The second way to increase your accuracy is to look for differential broadcast stations. These stations broadcast RTCM signals and are usually operated by governments or non-profit organisations as an Aid To Shipping. Your hand held receiver will need to be able to accept RTCM signals via a serial port and you will normally have to buy (or hire) a decoder box for about $1000USD. Stations are widely available in the Arabian (Persian) Gulf, Australia, SE Asia and parts of Africa. The setup process for this system is more complicated and you will need to consult the manuals for your decoder box and GPS or contact us for help.

Finally it is possible to purchase survey grade corrections usually from a SBAS provider such as Omnistar, Veripos or C-Nav. We are happy to advise on any of these services.

Featured Project

Palm Island Jumeirah

A Valeport 308 being deployed on the proposed Palm Island Juneirah site.

This project was to gather oceanographic data for the Palm Island Jumeirah development. Several current and wave sensors were deployed for extended periods to capture data to assist in the oceanographic modelling.