AUV Observations of Small-scale Frontal Convergence
Abstract
In support of the ONR Coherent Lagrangian Pathways from the Surface Ocean to Interior(CALYPSO) Departmental Research Initiative, we propose to map the sub-kilometer structure oftemperature, salinity, 3D velocity, and natural passive tracer distributions associated with theconvergence at the Alboran Sea salinity front using a pair of REMUS Autonomous Underwater Vehicles(AUVs) actively following Lagrangian pathways of frontal subduction. The proposed study directlyaddresses some of the main objectives of the CALYPSO initiative by:1. Characterizing three-dimensional coherent structures responsible for frontal subduction andexchange between the surface and the interior,2. Directly measuring spatial and temporal variability of small-scale horizontal and verticalvelocities associated with these structures,3. Quantifying surface convergence and relating it to the vertical structure of interior transports,4. Developing new techniques for adaptive autonomous multi-vehicle ocean exploration.The study builds upon the new scientific understanding, experience, and techniques we developedduring our ongoing work in the ONR Undersea Remote Sensing (USRS) DRI, as well as the recent workfunded by the Gulf of Mexico Research Initiative (LASER and SPLASH experiments).
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Jul 10, 2018
- Source ID
- N000141812420
Entities
People
- Andrey Y. Shcherbina
Organizations
- Office of Naval Research
- United States Navy
- University of Washington