Cabled Acoustic Array in the Gulf of Maine
Abstract
Approved for Public Release.It is often noted that we know more about the planets than the processes of our oceans. A network of oce,an observatories is improving our knowledge, however, measurements are still relatively scarce and do not provide enough data to val,idate and refine models of ocean currents, soundscapes, and biologic activity. The proposed cabled ocean acoustic array in the coast,al waters of the Gulf of Maine will be a real-time system that extends the 5-node network of offshore acoustic landers of the Acoust,ic and Environmental Observation Network in the NW Atlantic (AEON) (ONR Award N00014-20-1-2312) providing a permanent southern termi,nus whose data links the coastal and slope waters. The proposed cabled array will complement existing oceanographic monitoring infr,astructure allowing studies to be performed that may reveal significant connections between coastal measurements and the overall Gul,f of Maine environment. The cabled system will be designed to synoptically collect acoustic, oceanographic, and biogeochemical measu,rements, while also remaining flexible enough in design to incorporate new sensors in the future. Acoustic signals, as opposed to v,isual and chemical signals, can propagate long distances in the ocean and provide the most long ranging means for marine life and hu,mans to gain information about the environment. Acoustic measurements are the key to providing connectivity between the autonomous,slope-water platforms and the coastal cabled system. Measurements made with this ocean asset will serve as a baseline for pattern a,nd trend analyses of changing environmental conditions in an area of high productivity, human use, and species diversity.The propose,d cabled system will be located at the Shoals Marine Laboratory (SML) on Appledore Island. Partnership with SML will enable student,training including the effects of the observatory on SML?s green grid as part of the Sustainability Engineering Internship Program a,nd training engineering students in marine system instrumentation design and maintenance. The UNH data manager and data visualizatio,n team will develop an infrastructure to provide public access to the data and data products while also archiving the passive acoust,ic data at the National Centers for Environmental Information. Public data access will permit researchers at all levels to advance u,nderstanding of ocean acoustics and oceanographic processes. It is anticipated that ocean modelers will use the data to study fluctu,ating Gulf of Maine environmental parameters that affect the ecosystem from phytoplankton growth to right whale feeding and moderate, climate including winter Nor-easter? storms and summer hurricanes. Data from this system will provide insights that will aid the Na,vy in appropriately responding to and proactively predicting how long-term environmental changes will impact operations in the Weste,rn Atlantic Ocean.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Sep 08, 2022
- Source ID
- N000142212820
Entities
People
- Jennifer Miksis-Olds
Organizations
- Office of Naval Research
- United States Navy
- University System of New Hampshire