Tampa Bay observing network: a continuous data acquisition system in support of science and environmental management

The Tampa Bay estuary is a vital ecological and economic hub, whose productive, shallow-water habitats are highly vulnerable to both chronic anthropogenic stress and acute environmental disturbance events (e.g., extreme weather, human incidents). Historically, the bay’s health was monitored primarily through low-frequency, monthly field sampling that has provided a foundational baseline of water quality for the last fifty years. However, discrete sampling is inadequate for capturing the rapid, high-frequency processes that govern the bay’s physics and biogeochemistry. Recent perturbations to the Tampa Bay system have exposed this shortcoming and illustrated clearly the need for an autonomous, continuous data acquisition system. This paper introduces the Tampa Bay observing network (TBON), a system designed for high-frequency environmental data acquisition. In addition to detailing its design and operation, case studies are reported to demonstrate its capacity to: (1) supplement traditional low-frequency field sampling, (2) bridge data gaps, and (3) provide continuous monitoring during acute disturbance events when field sampling is impractical. This work is also aimed at informing resource managers and stakeholders about TBON's capabilities and data availability, thereby facilitating its utilization for collaborative research, environmental protection, and effective policy formulation.