Inter‐Seasonal In Situ Datasets of Important Physicochemical Parameters Adjacent to the Newly Declared Naf MPA of Bangladesh

ABSTRACT

Physicochemical data acquisition was carried out within the northeastern Bay of Bengal (BoB), adjacent to the newly declared Naf Marine Protected Area (Naf MPA) of Bangladesh. A total of 21 sampling locations were covered over shallow coastal water for the study during the winter monsoon and pre‐monsoon seasons, comprising 12 in situ physicochemical parameters. A multiparameter was used to measure surface water temperature, salinity, pH, dissolved oxygen (DO), and total dissolved solids (TDS). Turbidity was measured using a 2100Q portable turbidimeter (EPA). Surface water samples were taken to measure total suspended solids (TSS), chlorophyll‐a (Chl‐a), nitrate, phosphate, ammonia, and silica concentration following the standard procedure. A fishing trawler was used as a data collection platform whereas the surface water samples were collected using the HYDRO‐BIOS Niskin sampler, a non‐metallic interior. As shallow water influences coastal phenomena and its coastal process, physicochemical parameters can play a significant role in knowing the impacts and influence on associated biotic resources around Naf MPA. However, Bangladesh has just started its exploration in view of oceanographic data collection. With the vast area and lack of oceanographic research vessels, there is still a deficiency of oceanographic data. Seasonal datasets are important to know the influence that changes with season in the coastal bay, as well as there is a lack of seasonal in situ data. Thus, these inter‐seasonal oceanographic datasets can help the future study and management strategy of the newly declared Naf MPA, as well as to compare satellite‐derived datasets with in situ data for sensor validation and algorithm development.