New Instrumentation in Support of Observations for the ONR Radiance in a Dynamic Ocean (RaDyO) Program

Abstract

Abstract : Our specific observational, analytical, and modeling objectives follow: 1. To obtain sustained (nearly continuous) high temporal resolution measurements of atmospheric forcing including: wind speed and direction, incident solar radiation, atmospheric temperature, relative humidity, barometric pressure, and hyperspectral downwelling irradiance (Ed) using a surface buoy platform. 2. To obtain sustained (nearly continuous) high temporal resolution of IOPs and AOPs [hyperspectral absorption and attenuation coefficients (ac-s), spectral optical backscattering for dissolved matter and particle characteristics, hyperspectral resolution downwelling irradiance and upwelling radiance (Ed and Lu)] in the upper portion of the water column using a mooring. 3. To obtain sustained (nearly continuous) high temporal resolution measurements of spectral fluorescence for concentrations of chlorophyll-a, phycoerythrin, and colored dissolved organic matter using a mooring. 4. To obtain sustained (nearly continuous) high temporal and vertical resolution measurements of temperature and salinity in the upper portion of the water column and SBL to determine near surface stratification and mixed layer depths using sensors placed at multiple depths on a mooring. 5. To measure upper ocean and SBL currents and turbulence using a moored acoustic current meter (ACM) and full water column currents using a moored acoustic Doppler current profiler (ADCP). 6. To measure acoustic backscatter for inferring depth dependence of bubble distributions in the upper water column and zooplankton deeper in the water column using an ADCP. 7. To measure high vertical resolution IOPs [hyperspectral absorption, scattering, and attenuation; spectral backscattering, chlorophyll fluorescence, near-forward angle scattering (LISST)] and physical properties [(temperature, conductivity, and depth (CTD)] using a profiling system.