Lagrangian Float Observations along Interior Stirring Trajectories
Abstract
Approved for Public ReleaseIn support of the Researching Interior Ocean Trajectories (RIOT) Departmental Research Initiative, we propose to conduct a focused study of the dynamical regimes of interior submesoscale currents using two specially equipped Lagrangian Mixing Floats (MLFs).Submesoscale currents (SMC) are known to be a critical dynamical component of ocean circulation. These currentsare hypothesized to serve a crucial role in fluxing energy from large-scale geophysical turbulence and the internal wave fields towards small-scale dissipation. Additionally, they are also expected to have a significant impact on both lateral and, importantly, vertical fluxes of physical and biogeochemical tracers throughout the ocean. While surface SMC have been a subject of several major ONR field campaigns in the last decade, interior submesoscale currents (iSMC), although just as important, remain relatively underexplored. This proposal is to outfit two APL Lagrangian Mixing Floats (MLFs) with an advanced suite of instrumentation to conduct detailed measurements of fine-scale dynamics associated with iSMC formation, evolution, and dissipation. The floats will carry dual fast-sampling conductivity-temperature-depth (CTD) probes, dual high-resolution thermistor chains, and high-resolution acoustic Doppler current profilers (ADCPs). Throughout the RIOT field campaigns, each MLF will serve as a primary focal point within a diverse multiplatform autonomous array, ensuring sustained uninterrupted water-following observations of iSMC dynamics. The underwater localization of the array will be facilitated by a novel decentralized peer-to-peer tracking and communication acoustic network. This network will be developed collaboratively by the RIOT team and tailored specifically for exploration of iSMC. This project will contribute towards advancing our fundamental understanding of ocean interior dynamics, thereby enhancing predictive capabilities of ocean circulation models. Additionally, technological and operational advances achieved through RIOT DRI will catalyze future developments in flexible adaptable autonomous observing systems for ocean exploration.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Nov 09, 2024
- Source ID
- N000142412720
Entities
People
- Eric D Asaro
Organizations
- Office of Naval Research
- United States Navy
- University of Washington