Ryan Industries, Inc. recording thermographs were deployed at strategic locations on the Florida Reef Tract
during 1988 (selection of this manufacturer's product does not constitute an official product endorsement by the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary or the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration). Due to the Ryan Industries discontinuing their product line during the course of the project, a change to another manufacturer's thermograph was implemented. Now, Sea-Bird Electronics, Inc. (selection of this manufacturer's product does not constitute an official product endorsement by the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary or the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) recording thermographs are used. To date, 38 thermographs have been deployed, completing a permanent network of these sensors from southern Broward County to the Dry Tortugas. In response to extreme anthropogenic events on the Florida Reef Tract and surrounding hydrologic ecosystems (e.g. Massive shipwreck groundings and associated reef restoration), monitoring stations have been positioned to provide project managers additional data for ongoing studies.
A hollow, pre-cast concrete coral head or concrete and PVC monument have been used to protect and conceal
thermographs. Where appropriate, bolt-on stainless steel brackets were used to secure instruments to structural
supports (e.g. concrete or steel pilings) of fixed bridges or navigational aids.
Experience has shown that a 2 hour recording mode is adequate to monitor changes in reef tract bottom water
temperature. Data has been collected, on average, annually from all instruments. Due to mechanical problems
with some instruments, there are occasional gaps in the data streams from some of the monitoring stations.