Temperature Profiling

Surface waters including lakes and oceans commonly undergo seasonal temperature changes from factors like currents, wind, and surface heating. Temperature affects water density and can result in stratification, with cooler, denser waters sinking to the bottom.

Temperature profiling involves deployment of thermistor strings with multiple sensor nodes in the water column. These strings measure and track the development of thermal gradients and any sudden changes in a variety of research, industrial, and energy-related applications.

An XB-200 data buoy deployed in an inland lake equipped with a thermistor string for water temperature profiling. An XB-200 data buoy deployed in an inland lake equipped with a thermistor string for water temperature profiling.

Temperature Profiling

Surface waters including lakes and oceans commonly undergo seasonal temperature changes from factors like currents, wind, and surface heating. Temperature affects water density and can result in stratification, with cooler, denser waters sinking to the bottom.

Temperature profiling involves deployment of thermistor strings with multiple sensor nodes in the water column. These strings measure and track the development of thermal gradients and any sudden changes in a variety of research, industrial, and energy-related applications.

Recommended Temperature Profiling System

Customized temperature profiling strings can be deployed in many different settings and environments. For surface water monitoring, a floating buoy platform often provides a simple and reliable approach for long-term data collection.

Buoy

The XB-200 buoy is a powerful and robust, yet lightweight and easy-to-deploy buoy platform. Weighing in at just under 70 lb (30 kg), its molded polyethylene hull withstands harsh environmental conditions for years of reliable performance in any long-term application.

Data Logger

The X3 environmental data logger easily mounts to the XB-200 solar tower top plate. Pluggable sensor ports ensure simple, waterproof connection of thermistor strings and other sensors. Data is delivered in near real-time via Wi-Fi, 4G LTE, or Iridium satellite telemetry.

Thermistor String

The T-Node FR is a modular thermistor string system for “build your own” configurations. Nodes are connected in-line with marine-grade UW Cables featuring a braided Kevlar core, double O-ring seals, and variable lengths for placement of sensors at the desired depths.

Each T-Node FR sensor delivers high-precision measurements accurate to +/-0.075 C. An exposed titanium thermistor directly contacts the water, producing fast response and stability. A string can integrate as many as 250 nodes with up to 1,219 meters of cable.

Power

The XB-200 data buoy has a robust power capacity with three 15W solar panels oriented to capture sunlight from any direction and up to 56 A-hr battery. This allows for continuous, high-frequency temperature measurement in almost any geographic location.

An XB-200 data buoy equipped with a thermistor string and X3 data logger.
An XB-200 data buoy equipped with a thermistor string and X3 data logger.
An XB-200 data buoy equipped with a thermistor string, weather station, light sensors, YSI EXO multiparameter sonde, and X3 data logger.
A NexSens large platform data buoy equipped with a thermistor string, weather station, solar marine light, ADCP, YSI EXO multiparameter sonde, and X3 data logger.

Need More?

Every temperature profiling application is unique. Besides customization of string lengths and number of nodes, NexSens temperature profiling systems can be expanded with a wide range of other sensor types.

Topside Sensors

Meteorological instruments easily mount to the buoy tower and are integrated with the X3 data logger to add weather parameters like air temperature, wind, precipitation, and solar radiation.

Splitter Cables

For in-line integration of sensor types other than temperature nodes in a thermistor string, splitter cables are available. Two-way UW-2W and four-way UW-4W splitters pass through power and communications to water quality sensors and multi-parameter sondes.

Water Quality Measurements

Multi-sensor water quality sondes like the YSI EXO measure a suite of water quality parameters in a single instrument. Typical configurations may include temperature, conductivity, pH, ORP, turbidity, DO, algae, nutrients, and organic materials.

Alternate Buoy Sizes

A full line of data buoys is available ranging from the CB-75 to the CB-1250 provide scalable size and power capacity to meet diverse project demands and budgetary requirements.

Larger systems are capable of supporting more advanced instrumentation, including wave sensors and ADCP current profilers.

Accessories

Sensor-specific and general purpose mounts are available for use with many of the most common sensor types. Perforated deployment pipes secure near-surface water quality sensors, or brackets fix sensors to the buoy frame or suspended sensor lines.

An XB-200 data buoy equipped with a thermistor string, weather station, light sensors, YSI EXO multiparameter sonde, and X3 data logger.
A NexSens large platform data buoy equipped with a thermistor string, weather station, solar marine light, ADCP, YSI EXO multiparameter sonde, and X3 data logger.
Technicians in the water with scuba gear securing a mooring line to the bottom of a NexSens buoy.

Mooring

Temperature profiling buoys may be deployed with either single-point or two-point mooring system designs. Two-point moorings are often preferred when practical since thermistor strings are suspended below the buoy.>br>
To prevent strain on data cables, vinyl-coated stainless steel support lines typically run in parallel to thermistor strings. Cables are secured at each node location and as needed on long cable runs using TS-Clamp mooring clamps.

Technicians in the water with scuba gear securing a mooring line to the bottom of a NexSens buoy.
WQData LIVE dashboard displayed on a laptop and the WQData LIVE phone app dashboard displayed on a phone.

Real-Time Temperature Data

Wireless telemetry via Wi-Fi, 4G LTE, or Iridium satellite delivers near real-time temperature profiling data to the WQData LIVE web datacenter from nearly any location worldwide.>br>
The free, Basic tier configuration provides tools for secure data access, analysis, sharing, and download/export as well as simple high/low Quick Alert notifications and remote data logger controls.>br>
Subscription-based WQData LIVE tiers activate advanced reporting, alarming, and data sharing functions, including automated export, API, and Public Portal options.

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Learn more about water temperature monitoring in the Environmental Measurements Handbook.

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