Long-Endurance Turbulence Measurements for ARCTERX Gliders
Abstract
Submesoscale processes have been intensively studied at ocean fronts, however, they have not been examined in mesoscale eddies, whic h have properties and behaviors distinct from just a simple front. We will add Rockland Scientific Instruments MicroRiders, 1000-m b uoyancy engines, primary lithium batteries and extended battery bays to three existing UUV gliders. These additions will make possib le long-endurance (> 4 months) turbulent microstructure measurements. We propose to use this small fleet UUV gliders to follow mesos cale eddies for multiple month-long periods, characterizing the contributions of submesoscale processes to the evolution of the larg er features. The novel outcomes of this proposed work include long-term observations following a mesoscale eddy, resolving the evolu tion of heat, salt, momentum, energy and higher-order properties; a glider-based data set with dissipation and finescale shear, reso lving the potential vorticity and turbulent mixing in submesoscale features; and acoustic ranging between UUVs, reducing the uncerta inty in dead-reckoned subsurface positions - a major contributor to gradient estimates at submesoscales.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Aug 20, 2021
- Source ID
- N000142112829
Entities
People
- R. Kipp Shearman
Organizations
- Office of Naval Research
- Oregon State University
- United States Navy