Developing a Coastal Observation Lab in a Box - COLaB

Access to equipment and expertise to monitor the coastal ocean is a major challenge in many countries along with a misperception that oceanographic observations require expensive facilities and infrastructure. COLaB demonstrates a range of more traditional instrumentation and methods exist that are affordable, easily taught and widely applicable but also reliable, precise and accurate. The modular packages allow end users to select instrument options to fit their needs and questions, including equipment for sampling, BGC parameters, basic hydrographic assessments, and other tools for biological observations. COLaB also contributes to an Ocean Best Practices team producing protocols and training materials for low cost field and lab techniques.

To achieve its objective, COLaB adopts a holistic and integrated approach, including  cost-effective instrument packages, modelling tools, data management tools, training activities, calibration activities, and standardised practices and methods. These approaches offer valuable tools that can be used along with fixed-point coastal observations, but also on their own, with applicability to diverse scientific questions, in settings ranging from saltmarshes, mangroves and reef systems, to nearshore and open shelf environments. Such observations have served coastal environmental monitoring and management, e.g. monitoring harmful algal blooms, in support of fisheries management and creation of marine protected areas.