Instrumentation

1
Influence of Flow and Turbulence on Benthic and
Pelagic Primary Production in the NE Gulf of
Mexico Tommy Van Horn and Jay Hooper Fall 2007
Forecasted currents. (4hr increment)
Forecast wind field. (4hr increment)
K-tower line
YSI
Instrumentation
ADCP
ABSTRACT
An ADCP is a current-measuring instrument that
transmits high-frequency acoustic signals (300
kHz). Current is determined by a Doppler shift
in the backscatter echo from plankton, suspended
Sediment, and bubbles , all assumed to be moving
passively with the mean speed of the water.
We expect light measurements to show whether
benthic primary production is possible. Water
samples will be taken and placed in laboratory
incubation at in-situ light and conditions
showing the potential production of the water
column at surface light conditions. A time series
will also be constructed to show the dependency
of the water column and the benthic production on
boundary flow intensity and direction (i.e,
higher production after stagnation periods or
higher production associated with lower/higher
flows). We will also develop a statistical model
of the different transport mechanisms impacting
the water column (i.e. wind, tides, waves, loop
current effects and turbulence.) and determine
which mechanism have largest impact on the flow
through the water column.
The YSI is a sonde designed for in-situ
monitoring and profiling with the abilities to
detect salinity, temperature, conductivity, pH,
dissolved oxygen, turbidity, chlorophyll, and
blue-green algae.