Acquisition of an Underway CTD System for the Flow Encountering Abrupt Topography DRI

Abstract

This proposal is for acquisition of an Underway Conductivity-Temperature-Depth (UCTD) system for use during the Flow Encountering Abrupt Topography (FLEAT) DRI. FLEAT will investigate how major low-latitude currents, such as the North Equatorial Current, are affected by the steep topography in the western Pacific. During FLEAT, the UCTD will be used on a coastal research vessel. This vessel is highly manoeuvrable - it can be repositioned and stopped quickly. The UCTD is versatile and can also be used from large research vessels during FLEAT or in future programs. The UCTD can reach at least 1000 m every <30 minutes from a stationary vessel and possibly as quickly as every 20 minutes. Possible quasi-synoptic surveys or time series operations using the UCTD from a coastal vessel are noted below. Weekly surveys around points (e.g., south tip of Peliliu) can assess any eddy generation with respect to the incident flow characteristics; Daily cross-shore surveys following high wind events will measure the cross-shore structure of ITW/NIW near the main islands of Palau; and/or Time series will be used to investigate internal waves as a cause of 10-m high sand waves in >100 m water depths on the west coast of Palau. 1

Document Details

Document Type
DoD Grant Award
Publication Date
Aug 12, 2016
Source ID
N000141512843

Entities

People

  • T.m. Shaun Johnston

Organizations

  • Office of Naval Research
  • United States Navy
  • University of California, San Diego

Tags

Fields of Study

  • Environmental science

Readers

  • Coastal Oceanography
  • Oceanography.