NISKINe X-Spar Preparation, Deployment and Data Analysis
Abstract
ns response to atmospheric forcing. The X-Spar is able to support a variety of sensors above and below the ocean surface to observe processes contributingto air-sea interaction. This includes Direct Covariance Flux System (DCFS) for estimating turbulent momentum and buoyancy fluxes along with bulk wind speed and direction. The DCFS is enhanced with a suite scalar atmospheric sensors and radiometers. The full suite allows directestimation of the air sea exchanges of momentum, buoyancy and heat. Below the air-sea interface, X-Spar has the capability of sampling the surface wave field, near-surface thermohaline stratification and upper-ocean currents.l-time.The fluxes and associated mean variableployment during the summer 2020 NISKINE cruise. The PIs propose to prepare the X-Spar for the experiment, ship and assemble the X-Spar in Reykjavik, deploy the X-Spar at sea, participate in the cruise and analyze the collected data. The PIs also propose to setup the Armstrong with a high power DCFS and to make sure the ship s met systems are operating correctly prior to the cruise. Preparation of the X-Spar primarily involves replacement of the carbon fiber mast and repair of the sonic anemometer. The refurbished X-Spar will tested dock-side to make sure all system are operational. The PIs also plan to perform a test deployment off the Armstrong oralyzed both for engineering assessment of the measurement systems and quantification of the air-sea interactions. A particular focusnse to atmospheric forcing. The eXpendable Spar buoy (X-Spar) is a freely-drifting spar buoy system designed to investigateair-sea exchange and the upper oceans response to atmospheric forcing. The X-Spar is able to support a variety of sensors above and below the ocean surface to observe processes contributing to air-sea interaction. This includes Direct Covariance Flux System (DCFS) for estimating turbulent momentum and buoyancy fluxes along with bulk wind speed and direction. The DCFS is enhanced with a suite scalaat. Below the air-sea interface, X-Spar has the capability of sampling the surface wave field, near-surface thermohaline stratificat turbulent fluxes in near real-time. The fluxes and associated mean variables are then telemetered to any desired location via Iridium messages. The ability to telemeter the data in near real-time means that researchers do not need to recover the X-Spar to collect the desired measurements. This unique attribute is what makes the X-Spar expendable.The objective of this proposal is to make the Nment, ship and assemble the X-Spar in Reykjavik, deploy the X-Spar at sea, participate in the cruise and analyze the collected data. The PIs also propose to setup the Armstrong with a high power DCFS and to make sure the ship s met systems are operating correctly prior to the cruise. Preparation of the X-Spar primarily involves replacement of the carbon fiber mast and repair of the sonic anemometer. The refurbished X-Spar will tested dock-side to make sure all system are operational. The PIs also plan to perform a test deployment off the Armstrong or WHOI dock to ensure that the X-Spar is rigged correctly prior to its actual deployment off of Iceland. The buoy and ship will be analyzed both for engineering assessment of the measurement systems and quantification of the air-sea interactions. A particular focus of the latter will be the wind work on near-inertial motions of the surface mixed layer. Engineering and scientific knowledge derived from the proposed field trial will lay the groundwork for future investigations of air-sea interaction and the upper oceans response to atmospheric forcing."
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Aug 31, 2020
- Source ID
- N000142012765
Entities
People
- James B. Edson
Organizations
- Office of Naval Research
- United States Navy
- Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution