A comparison of acoustic turbulence profiling techniques in the presence of waves

In order to measure turbulent quantities in coastal waters, one must either avoid or confront the confounding effect of waves. In previous work, we have developed a method to cancel waves when using the variance technique to compute Reynolds stress from acoustic Doppler current profiler (ADCP) data. In this paper, we extend this wave cancellation methodology to measurements of turbulent kinetic energy and dissipation using velocities measured along a single acoustic beam. Velocity profiles were collected using a Teledyne/RDI 1,200 kHz ADCP and a Nortek AWAC. The AWAC has a vertical beam that was programmed by Nortek to deliver profiles of vertical velocity. Vertical velocities are desirable both because they eliminate sources of phase error in the wave cancellation procedure and because they constrain measurement uncertainty with respect to turbulent anisotropy. Results indicate that acoustic profiles taken in standard Doppler mode, to which the vertical beam of the AWAC was limited, were too noisy to resolve turbulence under the deployment conditions herein. Pulse-to-pulse coherent modes such as those available on the ADCP were sufficiently low noise to resolve turbulent signals; however, vertical beam data are not available for this device. Nevertheless, our wave cancellation methodology was successful in removing the overwhelming variance associated with waves from both instruments, allowing realistic estimates of Reynolds stress, turbulent kinetic energy, and dissipation from the ADCP. This method holds even more promise as low-noise operating modes are developed for vertical beam acoustic profiling instruments such as the AWAC.     

A GIS tool for spatiotemporal modeling under a knowledge synthesis framework

In recent years, there has been a fast growing interest in the space–time data processing capacity of Geographic Information Systems (GIS). In this paper we present a new GIS-based tool for advanced geostatistical analysis of space–time data; it combines stochastic analysis, prediction, and GIS visualization technology. The proposed toolbox is based on the Bayesian Maximum Entropy theory that formulates its approach under a mature knowledge synthesis framework. We exhibit the toolbox features and use it for particulate matter spatiotemporal mapping in Taipei, in a proof-of-concept study where the serious preferential sampling issue is present. The proposed toolbox enables tight coupling of advanced spatiotemporal analysis functions with a GIS environment, i.e. QGIS. As a result, our contribution leads to a more seamless interaction between spatiotemporal analysis tools and GIS built-in functions; and utterly enhances the functionality of GIS software as a comprehensive knowledge processing and dissemination platform.     

Estimating sediment transport from acoustic measurements in the Venice Lagoon inlets

This paper presents the results of a 3-year-long (November 2004–November 2007) study based on the use of acoustic Doppler current profilers (ADCPs) to estimate the solid transport through the three inlets of Venice lagoon. In each of the three inlets instruments were mounted both on survey boats and deployed on the channel bed. The three bottom-mounted ADCPs were positioned in the central part of the inlets, continuously monitoring vertical profiles in the water column. Periodic transects along the investigated sections were collected by the boat-mounted ADCP. Both installations measured current speed and acoustic backscatter intensity. The latter expresses the attenuation of acoustic energy due to material in the water column.     

Estimating uncertainty of streamflow measurements with moving-boat acoustic Doppler current profilers

A theoretical and a semi-empirical model are presented for estimating the uncertainty of streamflow measurements made with an acoustic Doppler current profiler (ADCP) mounted on a moving platform. Both models are based on the statistical analysis of ADCP ensemble discharge time series collected during a transect; therefore, they account for all random error sources associated with the measurement at a site. The theoretical model is developed based on the law of propagation of variance; it explores the theoretical relationship between the variables involved in the problem. The semi-empirical model is developed based on the theory of dimensional analysis; it explores the empirical relationship between the variables. The semi-empirical model is calibrated using 205 transect datasets and verified with an additional 382 transect datasets. It provides a useful tool for the uncertainty analysis and uncertainty-based measurement quality control of moving-boat ADCP streamflow measurements.     

The Structure of Currents in the Western Middle Caspian Sea: Present-Day Studies

Data on the dynamics of bottom currents along the western coast of the Middle Caspian are given. The contributions of the mean kinetic energy of currents and the energy of perturbation to the total energy of currents are shown at different space and time scales of variations and for different seasons of the year. The results of studies are based on experimental data collected by CTD sounding of water mass, measuring currents with the use of Potok-M instruments, ADCP Doppler acoustic current meters in the regime of sounding and towing, as well as stationary measurements at submerged buoy stations.     

Variability of internally generated turbulence in an estuary,from 100 days of continuous observations

We present detailed observations of internally generated turbulence in a sheared, stratified natural flow, as well as an analysis of the external factors leading to its generation and temporal variability. Multi-month time series of vertical profiles of velocity, acoustic backscatter (0.5 Hz), and turbulence parameters were collected with two moored acoustic Doppler current profilers (ADCPs) in the Hudson River estuary, and estuary-long transects of water density were collected 30 times. ADCP backscatter is used for visualization of coherent turbulent structures and evaluation of surface wave biases to the turbulence measurements. Benefits of the continuous long-term turbulence record include our capturing: (1) the seasonality of turbulence due to changing riverflow, (2) hysteresis in stratification and turbulence over the fortnightly cycle of tidal range, and (3) intermittent events such as breaking internal waves. Internal mixing layers (IMLs) are defined as turbulent regions above the logarithmic velocity layer, and the bottom boundary layer (BBL) is defined as the continuously turbulent range of heights above the bed. A cross-correlation analysis reveals how IML and BBL turbulence vary with stratification and external forcing from tidal range, river flow, and winds. Turbulence in both layers is maximal at spring tide and minimal when most stratified, with one exception—IML turbulence at a site with changing channel depth and width is maximal at times of maximum stratification and freshwater input.     

Factors influencing the calculation of periodic secondary circulation in a tidal river: numerical modelling of the lower Sacramento River,USA

Secondary circulation is the component of three‐dimensional (3D) flow in river channels perpendicular to the primary flow direction. Secondary circulation calculated from acoustic Doppler current profiler (ADCP) transects is sensitive to the calculation method and is affected by the transect angle relative to the mean flow direction and variations in the flow direction along a transect. To quantify bounds on transect alignment relative to river flow for field data collection and examine tidal time‐scale variability in secondary circulation, the 3D hydrodynamic model UnTRIM was applied to simulate the hydrodynamics in the lower reach of the Sacramento River (CA, USA). Secondary circulation was calculated using the Rozovskii and the zero net discharge methods on repeated transects extracted from the model results in regions of both relatively uniform and complex flows. When the depth‐averaged flow direction along a transect varied by more than about 5 °, occurring when the transect was as little as 10 to 20 ° out of normal to the mean flow direction, the Rozovskii method produced more realistic secondary circulation than the zero net discharge method. Analysis indicated that ADCP transects should be within 20 ° of perpendicular to the mean flow direction when calculating secondary circulation. Secondary circulation strength around two tidally influenced bends generally increased with increasing flow and broke down near slack water. However, the strength of the secondary circulation was not only a function of the flow magnitude, but also depended on the direction of the water flow and the transect location relative to the river curvature, which varied with the tidal flow direction. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Impact of the sampling duration on the uncertainty of averaged velocity measurements with acoustic instruments

Average velocity in streams is a key variable for the analysis and modelling of hydrological and hydraulic processes underpinning water resources science and practice. The present study evaluates the impact of the sampling duration on the quality of average velocity measurements acquired with contemporary instruments such as Acoustic Doppler Velocimeters (ADV) an Acoustic Doppler Current Profilers (ADCP). The evaluation combines considerations on turbulent flows and principles and configurations of acoustic instruments with practical experience in conducting customized analysis for uncertainty analysis purposes. The study sheds new insights on the spatial and temporal variability of the uncertainty in the measurement of average velocities due to variable sampling durations acting in isolation from other sources of uncertainties. Sampling durations of 90 and 150 s are found sufficient for ADV and ADCP, respectively, to obtain reliable average velocities in a flow affected only by natural turbulence and instrument noise. Larger sampling durations are needed for measurements in most of the natural streams exposed to additional sources of data variability.     

Estimating sand concentrations using ADCP-based acoustic inversion in a large fluvial system characterized by bi-modal suspended-sediment distributions

Quantifying sediment flux within rivers is a challenge for many disciplines due, mainly, to difficulties inherent to traditional sediment sampling methods. These methods are operationally complex, high cost, and high risk. Additionally, the resulting data provide a low spatial and temporal resolution estimate of the total sediment flux, which has impeded advances in the understanding of the hydro-geomorphic characteristics of rivers. Acoustic technologies have been recognized as a leading tool for increasing the resolution of sediment data by relating their echo intensity level measurements to suspended sediment. Further effort is required to robustly test and develop these techniques across a wide range of conditions found in natural river systems. This article aims to evaluate the application of acoustic inversion techniques using commercially available, down-looking acoustic Doppler current profilers (ADCPs) in quantifying suspended sediment in a large sand bed river with varying bi-modal particle size distributions, wash load and suspended-sand ratios, and water stages. To achieve this objective, suspended sediment was physically sampled along the Paraná River, Argentina, under various hydro-sedimentological regimes. Two ADCPs emitting different sound frequencies were used to simultaneously profile echo intensity level within the water column. Using the sonar equation, calibrations were determined between suspended-sand concentrations and acoustic backscatter to solve the inverse problem. The study also analyzed the roles played by each term of the sonar equation, such as ADCP frequency, power supply, instrument constants, and particle size distributions typically found in sand bed rivers, on sediment attenuation and backscatter. Calibrations were successfully developed between corrected backscatter and suspended-sand concentrations for all sites and ADCP frequencies, resulting in mean suspended-sand concentration estimates within about 40% of the mean sampled concentrations. Noise values, calculated using the sonar equation and sediment sample characteristics, were fairly constant across evaluations, suggesting that they could be applied to other sand bed rivers. © 2018 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

S‐wave kinematics in acoustic transversely isotropic media with a vertical symmetry axis

Acoustic transversely isotropic models are widely used in seismic exploration for P‐wave processing and analysis. In isotropic acoustic media only P‐wave can propagate, while in an acoustic transversely isotropic medium both P and S waves propagate. In this paper, we focus on kinematic properties of S‐wave in acoustic transversely isotropic media. We define new parameters better suited for S‐wave kinematics analysis. We also establish the travel time and relative geometrical spreading equations and analyse their properties. To illustrate the behaviour of the S‐wave in multi‐layered acoustic transversely isotropic media, we define the Dix‐type equations that are different from the ones widely used for the P‐wave propagation.     

On the use of horizontal acoustic Doppler profilers for continuous bed shear stress monitoring

Continuous monitoring of bed shear stress in large river systems may serve to better estimate alluvial sediment transport to the coastal ocean.Here we explore the possibility of using a horizontally deployed acoustic Doppler current profiler(ADCP) to monitor bed shear stress,applying a prescribed boundary layer model,previously used for discharge estimation.The model parameters include the local roughness length and a dip correction factor to account for sidewall effects.Both these parameters depend on river stage and on the position in the cross-section, and were estimated from shipborne ADCP data.We applied the calibrated boundary layer model to obtain bed shear stress estimates over the measuring range of the HADCP.To validate the results,co-located coupled ADCPs were used to infer bed shear stress,both from Reynolds stress profiles and from mean velocity profiles. From HADCP data collected over a period of 1.5 years,a time series of width profiles of bed shear stress was obtained for a tidal reach of the Mahakam River,East Kalimantan,Indonesia.A smaller dataset covering 25 hours was used for comparison with results from the coupled ADCPs.The bed shear stress estimates derived from Reynolds stress profiles appeared to be strongly affected by local effects causing upflow and downflow,which are not included in the boundary layer model used to derive bed shear stress with the horizontal ADCP.Bed shear stresses from the coupled ADCP are representative of a much more localized flow,while those derived with the horizontal ADCP resemble the net effect of the flow over larger scales.Bed shear stresses obtained from mean velocity profiles from the coupled ADCPs show a good agreement between the two methods,and highlight the robustness of the method to uncertainty in the estimates of the roughness length.     

An effective data processing flow for the acoustic reflection image logging

Recent studies have revealed the great potential of acoustic reflection logging in detecting near borehole fractures and vugs. The new design of acoustic reflection imaging tool with a closest spacing of 10.6m and a certain degree of phase steering makes it easier to extract the reflection signals from the borehole mode waves. For field applications of the tool, we had developed the corresponding processing software: Acoustic Reflection Imaging. In this paper, we have further developed an effective data processing flow by employing multi‐scale slowness‐time‐coherence for reflection wave extraction and incorporating reverse time migration for imaging complicated subtle structures with the strong effects of borehole environment. Applications of the processing flow to synthetic data of acoustic reflection logging in a fractured formation model and interface model with fluid filled borehole generated by 2D finite difference method, and to the physical modelling data from a laboratory water tank, as well as to the field data from two wells in a western Chinese oil field, demonstrate the validity and capability of our multi‐scale slowness‐time‐coherence and reverse time migration algorithms.     

High‐frequency streamflow acquisition and bed level/flow angle estimates in a mountainous river using shallow‐water acoustic tomography

The acquisition of reliable discharge estimates is crucial in hydrological studies. This study demonstrates a promising acoustic method for measuring streamflow at high sampling rate for a long period using the fluvial acoustic tomography system (FATS). The FATS recently emerged as an innovative technique for continuous measurements of streamflow. In contrast to the traditional point/transect measurements of discharge, the FATS enables the depth‐averaged and range‐averaged flow velocity along the ray path to be measured in a fraction of a second. The field test was conducted in a shallow gravel‐bed river (0.9 m deep under low‐flow conditions, 115 m wide) for 1 month. The parameters (stream direction and bottom elevation) required for calculating the streamflow were deduced by a nonlinear regression to the discharge data from the well‐established rating curve. The cross‐sectional average velocities were automatically calculated from the acoustic data, which were collected on both riverbanks every 30 s. The FATS was connected to the internet so that the real‐time flow data could be obtained. The FATS captured discharge variations at a cut‐off frequency of approximately 70 day^?1. The stream exhibited temporal discharge changes at multiple time scales ranging from a few tens of minutes to days. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Sensitivity analysis of sediment flux derived by laser diffraction and acoustic backscatter within a reservoir

A combination of two indirect methods to measure sediment flux is presented in this study to evaluate suspended sediment transport in a hydropower reservoir. The acoustic backscatter signal (ABS) from an Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler (ADCP) is therefore applied in pre-defined transects within the reservoir in combination with a Laser In-Situ Scattering Transmissometry – stream lined device (LISST-SL). The stationary LISST-SL derived suspended sediment concentration (SSC) measurements are used to calibrate the ABS. From the LISST-SL measurements a time series of SSC is obtained. This enables, in addition, a comprehensive data analysis to evaluate the influence of natural fluctuations of the SSC on the calculated sediment flux, which should be taken into account when assessing sediment transport. Furthermore SSC measurements are done with the LISST-SL close to the reservoir bed. In areas close to the bed no information regarding the ABS is available from the ADCP measurements due to the side-lobe interference. In various studies the information from the last three valid cells is used for extrapolation. However, as result of a comparison of the LISST-SL measurements with extrapolated SSC values from the ADCP measurements it can be seen that, especially in deep reservoirs, this method has to be adapted to the in-situ conditions.     

Field testing of modular borehole monitoring with simultaneous distributed acoustic sensing and geophone vertical seismic profiles at Citronelle,Alabama

A modular borehole monitoring concept has been implemented to provide a suite of well‐based monitoring tools that can be deployed cost effectively in a flexible and robust package. The initial modular borehole monitoring system was deployed as part of a CO₂ injection test operated by the Southeast Regional Carbon Sequestration Partnership near Citronelle, Alabama. The Citronelle modular monitoring system transmits electrical power and signals, fibre‐optic light pulses, and fluids between the surface and a reservoir. Additionally, a separate multi‐conductor tubing‐encapsulated line was used for borehole geophones, including a specialized clamp for casing clamping with tubing deployment. The deployment of geophones and fibre‐optic cables allowed comparison testing of distributed acoustic sensing. We designed a large source effort (>64 sweeps per source point) to test fibre‐optic vertical seismic profile and acquired data in 2013. The native measurement in the specific distributed acoustic sensing unit used (an iDAS from Silixa Ltd) is described as a localized strain rate. Following a processing flow of adaptive noise reduction and rebalancing the signal to dimensionless strain, improvement from repeated stacking of the source was observed. Conversion of the rebalanced strain signal to equivalent velocity units, via a scaling by local apparent velocity, allows quantitative comparison of distributed acoustic sensing and geophone data in units of velocity. We see a very good match of uncorrelated time series in both amplitude and phase, demonstrating that velocity‐converted distributed acoustic sensing data can be analyzed equivalent to vertical geophones. We show that distributed acoustic sensing data, when averaged over an interval comparable to typical geophone spacing, can obtain signal‐to‐noise ratios of 18 dB to 24 dB below clamped geophones, a result that is variable with noise spectral amplitude because the noise characteristics are not identical. With vertical seismic profile processing, we demonstrate the effectiveness of downgoing deconvolution from the large spatial sampling of distributed acoustic sensing data, along with improved upgoing reflection quality. We conclude that the extra source effort currently needed for tubing‐deployed distributed acoustic sensing vertical seismic profile, as part of a modular monitoring system, is well compensated by the extra spatial sampling and lower deployment cost as compared with conventional borehole geophones.     

Study on 3D simulation of wave fields in acoustic reflection image logging

The borehole acoustic reflection imaging logging is a newly developed acoustic logging method that has attracted many interests. These converted and reflected waves for imaging are usually mixed up with borehole guided waves and therefore difficult to be clearly identified. To improve the downhole tool design and develop more sophisticate data processing and interpretation algorithms,studies on precisely numerical modeling of the wave fields in the acoustic reflection imaging logging are neces-sary and critical. This paper developed a parallelized scheme of 3D finite difference (3DFD) with non-uniform staggered grid and PML absorbing boundary to simulate the acoustic wave fields in isotropic and anisotropic formations. Applications of this scheme to the typical cases of isotropic and anisot-ropic formations and comparison with the results from published analytical solutions have demon-strated the validation and efficiency of the scheme. Higher accuracy and lower computation cost (3.5 times faster than the conventional schemes) have been achieved with this scheme for modeling such a complex wave fields of 60 dB dynamic range with higher frequency (10 kHz). This simulating program provides a quantitative analytical means for studying acoustic reflection imaging tool and development of the data processing and interpretation methods.     

Acoustic log simulation in a viscoelastic formation: Cole–Cole model

It is known that sedimentary rocks demonstrate velocity dispersion in the acoustic log frequency range. In this paper we have calculated the waveforms of sonic log for a borehole located in a viscoelastic medium. The acoustic field in the borehole has been obtained for acoustic multipole sources. To describe the viscoelastic properties of a rock we used the Cole–Cole model. This model describes the dispersion of acoustic wave velocities and quality factors in a wide frequency range. To solve the acoustic log direct problem we have applied the double integral Fourier transform (RAI method). The results obtained have shown the feasibility of S-wave velocity dispersion estimation from acoustic dipole waveform processing.     

Bed-roughness investigation for a 2-D model calibration： the San Martin case study at Lower Parana

This paper illustrates how the acoustic Doppler current profiler （ADCP） and single-beam echo-sounder （SBES） recordings can be used for the calibration of existing software to assist in generalizing the morphodynamic processes in large rivers at key sites such as bifi.trcations and confluences. Calibration of the MIKE21C numerical model by the Danish Hydraulic Institute at the 25-km-long reach of Lower Paran~ near Rosario （Argentina） is presented. This reach includes two downstream confluences and two bifurcations. The model simulates a 2-D depth-averaged flow velocity and the related sediment fluxes to predict the bifurcation morphodynamics that affects the Paranh waterway. To investigate the river channel bathymetry, roughness, flow discharge allocation at bifurcations, suspended sediment concentration and grain size distributions, several instruments were used. These instruments included two ADCPs by Teledyne RDI working at frequencies of 600 and 1,200 kHz, a Sontek ADCP working at a frequency of 1,000 kHz and a SBES. The method to assess suspended sediment concentration and grain size distributions has been previously described. This paper focuses primarily on investigating dune morphology （by means of SBES depth measurements） and friction velocity （by means of ADCP profiling） to determine the river channel bed-roughness. The 2-D model results agree with observed values of bed-roughness, flow velocity and suspended sediment concentration distributions at the investigated sections, known data of water slope and total load of bed sediment are in good agreement with model results.     

Innovative analysis and use of high‐resolution DTMs for quantitative interrogation of Earth‐surface processes

This is the era of digital landscapes; the widespread availability of powerful sensing technologies has revolutionized the way it is possible to interrogate landscapes in order to understand the processes sculpting them. Vastly greater areas have now been acquired at ‘high resolution’: currently tens of metres globally to millimetric precision and accuracy locally. This permits geomorphic features to be visualized and analysed across the scales at which Earth‐surface processes operate. Especially exciting is the capturing of process dynamics in repeated surveying, which will only become more important with low‐cost accessible data generation through techniques such as Structure from Motion (SfM). But the key challenge remains; to interpret high resolution Digital Terrain Models (DTMs), particularly by extracting geomorphic features in robust and objective ways and then linking the observed features to the underlying physical processes. In response to the new data and challenges, recent years have seen improved processing of raw data into DTMs, development of data fusion techniques, novel quantitative analysis of topographic data, and innovative geomorphological mapping. The twelve papers collected in this volume sample this progress in interrogating Earth‐surface processes through the analysis of DTMs. They cover a wide range of disciplines and spatio‐temporal scales, from landslide prone landscapes, to agriculturally modified regions, to mountainous landscapes, and coastal zones. They all, however, showcase the quantitative exploitation of information contained in high‐resolution topographic data that we believe will underpin the improvement of our understanding of many elements of Earth‐surface processes. Most of the papers introduced here were first presented in a conference session at the European Geosciences Union General Assembly in 2011. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

On the capability of an upward-looking ADCP deployed in the Iceland-Faeroe frontal area

Ocean Dynamics - An upward looking acoustic Doppler current profiler (ADCP), deployed in the Iceland-Faeroe area, recorded horizontal currents as function of depth over a period of some 200 days...