PERIODIC VARIATIONS OF THE TEMPERATURE AND WATER CURRENTS IN THE TONGUE OF THE OCEAN, BAHAMAS.
Abstract
A preliminary study was made of the cyclic variations of temperature and current direction at a fixed location in the Tongue of the Ocean, Bahamas, for a time period of 27 hours. An electronic thermometer and a novel current direction meter were developed for this project. The thermometer was essentially an RC phase-shift oscillator using thermistors as the sensitive element controlling the output frequency. To obtain current directions a similar oscillator was used incorporating a capacitor unit controlling the output frequency. A magnet oriented part of the capacitor with the earth's field, and the capacitance varied when capacitor plates were rotated by the external vane. The current had a cyclic variation of about 180 degrees with a time period of about 9-1/2 minutes. The temperature had short-time fluctuations with about the same time period and had long-time fluctuations with a time period of about 2 hours. (Longer time periods were also indicated.) Of significance to the study of sound propagation is the finding that the phases of the periodic temperature fluctuations varried at different depths. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 08, 1964
- Accession Number
- AD0602161
Entities
People
- Daniel Friedman
Organizations
- United States Naval Research Laboratory