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.     

Accuracy of the deep convection intensity from a limited number of casts

Deep convection is one of the key components of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation. The intensity of deep convection (DC) is traditionally estimated as the maximum mixed layer depth (MMLD). In this study, we developed a criterion of the minimum number of casts needed for obtaining the MMLD in the Greenland Sea with a pre-defined accuracy. The criterion depends on convection intensity.For gridded datasets, we introduce a complementary measure for the DC intensity: the area of the region with the mixed layer depth over a predefined value (800 m for the Greenland Sea, notated as S₈₀₀). For a weak or a moderate DC, variations of its intensity is more clear from variations of the MMLD (cluster 1 in the MMLD - S₈₀₀ parameter space). Then the MMLD can be obtained with the 25 % accuracy for at minimum 40 casts during winter. For a well developed DC (cluster 2), variations of the DC intensity are better accessed from variations of S₈₀₀ and minimum 10 casts are required.In the central Greenland Sea, the number of casts is sufficient for obtaining the interannual variations of the convection intensity only since 1986. If only Argo floats are available, minimum 4 floats should simultaneously operate in the Greenland Sea gyre during winter to reach the abovementioned accuracy. Up to present, the number of floats has been insufficient during most of the winters.     

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.     

Upper-Level Winds over Southern Ontario: O-QNet Wind Profiler and NARR Comparisons

Upper-level winds are primarily measured by tracking the position of radiosonde balloons as they rise through the atmosphere. Radiosondes are released from a global network at 0000 utc and 1200 utc each day, and data are quickly available to the world's weather services, as well as to the public. The network is relatively coarse spatially, and there are normally only two soundings per day. In an endeavour to provide better spatial and temporal upper-level regional wind measurements, the O-QNet (a demonstration very high frequency wind profiler network for Ontario and Quebec) was installed and has been operated by York, Western, and McGill Universities with support from Mardoc Inc., The Weather Network, and Environment and Climate Change Canada. Initial funding was provided by the Canada Foundation for Innovation, the Ontario Innovation Trust, and Mardoc Inc. The present paper reports primarily on comparisons between winds measured by the O-QNet profilers and the winds reported in the North American Regional Reanalysis (NARR). There is good agreement between the two, which provides support for the use of NARR data to investigate longer term variations in upper-level winds associated with climate change for this region.     

High-resolution Echo-sounding and Detection of Embedded Archaeological Objects with Nonlinear Sub-bottom Profilers

Sub-bottom profilers based on nonlinear acoustics offer many advantages especially for detecting and locating embedded objects in shallow waters. They have a narrow beam in spite of small transducers and virtually no side lobes. It is possible to realize mobile low-frequent sub-bottom profilers, which transmit very short sound pulses. Excellent vertical as well as horizontal resolutions at reasonable penetrations are proven benefits of using this technique. In this paper some technical aspects are discussed and a new experimental nonlinear scanning sub-bottom profiler system is described. Results from a field trial in archaeological prospection are shown to illustrate the successful application in practice.     

Oceanic Velocity Microstructure Measurements in the 20th Century

The science of ocean turbulence was started more than 50 years ago by a small research group using a surplus mine-sweeping paravane to measure the velocity and temperature fluctuations in the ocean. The field has grown considerably and measurements are now conducted by researchers in many countries. A wide variety of sophisticated instrument systems are used to profile horizontally and vertically through the marine environment. Here we review the historical development of velocity micro-structure profiles over the past four decades and summarize the basic requirements for successful measurements. We highlight critical technological developments and glance briefly at some of the scientific discoveries made with these instruments. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Investigation of wave characteristics in a semi-enclosed bay based on SWAN model validated with buoys and ADP-observed currents

In this study, the simulating waves nearshore (SWAN) model with a locally refined curvilinear grid system was constructed to simulate waves in Jervis Bay and the neighbouring ocean of Australia, with the aim of examining the wave characteristics in an area with special topography and practical importance. This model was verified by field observations from buoys and acoustic Doppler profilers (ADPs). The model precisions were validated for both wind-generated waves and open-ocean swells. We present an approach with which to convert ADP-observed current data from near the bottom into the significant wave height. Our approach is deduced from the Fourier transform technique and the linear wave theory. The results illustrate that the location of the bay entrance is important because it allows the swells in the dominant direction to propagate into the bay despite the narrowness of the bay entrance. The wave period T p is also strongly related to the wave direction in the semi-enclosed bay. The Tp is great enough along the entire propagating direction from the bay entrance to the top of the bay, and the largest Tp appears along the north-west coast, which is the end tip of the swells’ propagation.     

基于多波束测深仪的西太平洋声散射层测量

为了研究西太平洋声散射层的垂向分布特征和日变化规律,分析了多波束测深系统的水体影像数据。观测结果表明,西太平洋存在着两个声散射层,一个声散射层位于0～200 m,另一个声散射层位于500～700 m,两个声散射层散射强度具有明显的日变化特征,上层散射层的散射强度呈现白天弱,夜晚强的特征,而下层散射层的散射强度日变化规律与上层相反,并且发现深散射层的厚度也存在日变化特征;分析了此种方法的优缺点,对以后声散射层的观测分析提供了新的思路。此外,利用同时下放的声速仪(SVP)的温度和深度数据对下放式声学多普勒流速剖面仪(LADCP)的观测结果进行了修正,得到了更为精确的声散射层垂向位置分布。     

Reflection Coefficient Calculation from Marine High Resolution Seismic Reflection (Chirp) Data and Application to an Archaeological Case Study

Chirp sub-bottom profilers produce high-resolution images of the near-surface. An attribute of the sea-bed reflection in chirp data are fluctuations in polarity between adjacent traces. Two models are proposed and presented to explain this: the first incorporates changes in an acoustic impedance gradient at the sea bed; the second uses changes in the thickness of the uppermost sediment layer. Mixing of adjacent traces produces a consistent polarity for the sea-bed reflector. Reflection coefficients are calculated, using amplitude information derived from single-traces, and polarity information from trace mixing, with application to a marine archaeological case study. The reflection coefficient calculated for the top of a buried 18th century wooden wreck is -0.26.     

两种型号RDIADCP测速精度分析

关于多普勒海流剖面仪（ADCP）测速精度一直没有明确认识,基于差分ADCP底跟踪船速与差分GPS测量船速进行比较,统计分析了ADCP测速精度,并利用直线拟合的方法,给出了两种型号RDIADCP的测速误差。结果表明,不同航速下38kHzADCP测速精度较高,且不受船速影响;300kHzADCP底跟踪船速始终大于GPS船速,误差随船速呈线性增加。