Acoustic Doppler Current Meter Research Articles

Near-Inertial Waves Reaching the Deep Basin in the South China Sea after Typhoon Mangkhut (2018)

Abstract Typhoon Mangkhut crossed the northeastern South China Sea (SCS) in September 2018 and induced energetic near-inertial waves (NIWs) that were captured by an array of 39 current- and pressure-recording inverted echo sounders and two tall moorings with acoustic Doppler current profilers and current meter sensors. The array extended from west of the Luzon Strait to the interior SCS, with the path of the typhoon cutting through the array. NIWs in the interior SCS had lower frequency than those near the Luzon Strait. After the typhoon crossed the SCS, Mangkhut-induced near-inertial currents in the upper ocean reached over 50 cm s−1. NIWs traveled southward for hundreds of kilometers, dominated by modes 2 and 3 in the upper and deep ocean. The horizontal phase speeds of mode 2 were ∼3.9 and ∼2.5 m s−1 north and south of the typhoon’s track, respectively, while those of mode 3 were ∼2.1 and ∼1.7 m s−1, respectively. Mode 5 was only identified in the north with a smaller phase speed. Owing to different vertical group velocities, the energy of mode-2 NIWs reached the deep ocean in 20 days, whereas the higher-mode NIWs required more time to transfer energy to the bottom. NIWs in the north were trapped and carried by a westward-propagating anticyclonic eddy, which enhanced the near-inertial kinetic energy at ∼300 m and lengthened the duration of energetic NIWs observed in the north. Significance Statement Near-inertial waves (NIWs), generally caused by wind (e.g., typhoons and monsoons) in the upper ocean, are one of the two types of energetic internal waves widely observed in the ocean. After their generation near the surface, energetic NIWs propagate downward and equatorward, thereby significantly contributing to turbulent mixing in the upper and deep ocean and acting as a mechanism of energy transfer from the surface to the deep ocean. The unprecedented NIW observations in the South China Sea describe the generation, propagation, and vertical normal modes of typhoon-induced NIWs in the upper and deep oceans, and contribute to knowledge regarding the dynamic responses of abyssal processes to typhoons.

Characterizing temporal and spatial scales of radiatively driven convection in a deep, ice‐free lake

AbstractFrom May to July 2019, an array of moored equipment was deployed in Lake Superior to characterize the spatial and temporal scales of radiatively driven convection (RDC). Previous work suggested that convective plumes have horizontal scales on the order of tens of meters, posing a significant observational challenge. The centerpiece of the deployment was a large, two‐dimensional (2D) array of thermistors that provided resolution on the order of 10 meters in both the vertical and a single horizontal dimension. This was augmented by an acoustic Doppler current meter mooring and a meteorology buoy capable of estimating surface heat and momentum fluxes. Instantaneous temperature variability at a given location is dominated by a lateral background flow advecting strong horizontal temperature gradients. By combining velocity data with temperature data, this fact can be used to examine horizontal structure at centimeter scales, and can produce 2D images of instantaneous temperature distribution on a horizontal surface, revealing multiple patterns of temperature anomaly distribution. The walls of convective structures are very sharp, with horizontal gradients on the order of 1°C m−1; horizontal scales of convective structures themselves are on the order of many tens of meters. Finally, convection is shown to strongly control the vertical distribution of water quality parameters.

Increase in Suspended Sediment Contents by a Storm Surge in Southern Bohai Sea, China

Most of the existing results were related to the impact of land storms on sediment, and few explained the impact of storms on sediment movement and its formation law from the mechanism. At present, the research on the impact of storm on sediment suspension on the North Bank of Longkou City in the south of Bohai Sea was not clear. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the formation and mechanism of storm on suspended sediment from the perspective of hydrodynamic characteristics and sediment distribution by monitoring the impact of storm on sediment suspension in the south of Bohai Sea. A storm with wind speeds of 4.5–13.5 m/s occurred in the coastal area of the north side of Longkou City located in Southern Bohai Sea in April, 2015. Suspended sediment samples were obtained using automatic samplers, and the results showed that the suspended sediment content was 7.8 mg/L under normal weather conditions, which reached 121.2 mg/L at the highest during the storm event. Waves and tides were synchronously observed by acoustic Doppler current meter. Wave height was more closely correlated with wind speed when the wind veered to north, and the maximum wave height was 243 cm. The reciprocating motion of the current at the sampling site was strong, with the maximum current speed of 43.8 cm/s and a water depth of 10 m. The results of laser analysis showed that the bottom sediments were composed of 92% sand and 8% silt, with a medium diameter of 0.102 mm. From the experimental observation and result analysis, it was known that the strong dynamic process during storm surge led to the movement of sediment surface and the resuspension of sediment.

Seasonal variation of the sound-scattering zooplankton vertical distribution in the oxygen-deficient waters of the NE Black Sea

Abstract. At the northeastern Black Sea research site, observations from 2010–2020 allowed us to study the dynamics and evolution of the vertical distribution of mesozooplankton in oxygen-deficient conditions via analysis of sound-scattering layers associated with dominant zooplankton aggregations. The data were obtained with profiler mooring and zooplankton net sampling. The profiler was equipped with an acoustic Doppler current meter, a conductivity–temperature–depth probe, and fast sensors for the concentration of dissolved oxygen [O2]. The acoustic instrument conducted ultrasound (2 MHz) backscatter measurements at three angles while being carried by the profiler through the oxic zone. For the lower part of the oxycline and the hypoxic zone, the normalized data of three acoustic beams (directional acoustic backscatter ratios, R) indicated sound-scattering mesozooplankton aggregations, which were defined by zooplankton taxonomic and quantitative characteristics based on stratified net sampling at the mooring site. The time series of ∼ 14 000 R profiles as a function of [O2] at depths where [O2] < 200 µm were analyzed to determine month-to-month variations of the sound-scattering layers. From spring to early autumn, there were two sound-scattering maxima corresponding to (1) daytime aggregations, mainly formed by diel-vertical-migrating copepods Calanus euxinus and Pseudocalanus elongatus and chaetognaths Parasagitta setosa, usually at [O2] = 15–100 µm, and (2) a persistent monospecific layer of the diapausing fifth copepodite stages of C. euxinus in the suboxic zone at 3 µm < [O2] < 10 µm. From late autumn to early winter, no persistent deep sound-scattering layer was observed. At the end of winter, the acoustic backscatter was basically uniform in the lower part of the oxycline and the hypoxic zone. The assessment of the seasonal variability of the sound-scattering mesozooplankton layers is important for understanding biogeochemical processes in oxygen-deficient waters.

Transport and Evolution of the East Reykjanes Ridge Current

AbstractThis study of the first continuous multiyear observations of the East Reykjanes Ridge Current (ERRC) reveals a highly variable, mostly barotropic southwestward flow with a mean transport of 10–13 Sv. The ERRC effectively acts as a western boundary current in the Iceland Basin on the eastern flank of the Reykjanes Ridge. As part of the Overturning in the Subpolar North Atlantic Program (OSNAP), continuous measurements of the ERRC have been maintained for the first time using acoustic Doppler current profilers, current meters, and dynamic height moorings at six mooring sites near 58°N since 2014. Together with satellite altimetry and Argo profile and drift data, the mean transport, synoptic variability, water mass properties, and upstream and downstream pathways of the ERRC are examined. Results show that the ERRC forms in the northeastern Iceland Basin at the convergence of surface waters from the North Atlantic Current and deeper Icelandic Slope Water formed along the Iceland‐Faroe Ridge. The ERRC becomes denser as it cools and freshens along the northern and western topography of the Basin before retroflecting over the Reykjanes Ridge near 59°N into the Irminger Current. Analysis of the flow‐weighted density changes along the ERRC's path reveals that it is responsible for about one third of the net potential density change of waters circulating around the rim of the subpolar gyre.

The influence of tidal jet current – Ocean wave interaction on the embayed beach processes

Many embayed beaches are formed by barriers that block embayments to create barrier-enclosed estuaries. These embayed beaches are characterized by strong tidal jets that drain the estuaries through a tidal inlet, often debouching at one end. A field study was conducted on Buffalo Beach in Mercury Bay (Waikato, New Zealand) to study wave energy changes caused by the ebb tidal jet. Acoustic Doppler Current Meter observations showed that during peak ebb jet flow, a decrease in wave height occurred along the beach sites that were in close proximity to the ebb jet. A DELFT3D hydrodynamic and wave model was used to further show that wave height variance was due to the jet current causing shoaling and refraction between the central beach and inlet adjacent southern beach. The resulting wave energy focused along the southern beach, diverged along the central beach and increased the alongshore radiation stress gradient. Under modeled storm conditions within the bay, when wave heights exceed 1.5 m, the jet was found to increase spreading and overall jet width. The jet orientation was also deflected shoreward towards the inlet adjacent headland. The radiation stresses driving alongshore transport became increasingly dominant with increased wave height, suggesting that alongshore sediment mobility increases substantially during a storm event due to the presence of the jet. Implications are that jet strength and orientation play a role in embayed beach rotation.

The characteristics of current patterns in the waters of port of Tanjung Emas Semarang

The Port of Tanjung Emas Semarang is located in the northern of Java which is regarded as a strategic position to support sea transportation connectivity to Kalimantan. Conducted at the Port of Tanjung Emas Semarang, this research applied exploratory descriptive as the research methodology. Measurements of this research were made by using ADCP (Acoustic Doppler Current meter Profiler) type of Multi Cell Argounaut-XR. The research was carried out in 3 days (January 16th, 2016 – January 19th, 2016). Current velocity data were taken at ± 7 meters depth in five depth strata. The research was aimed to measure the current pattern and distribution of ballast water discharges from commercial vessels at the port. Based on the research, it was found that the current velocity of all water columns in the port varied ranging from 0.042-0.124 m/s with minimum current velocity of 0.0–0.003 m/s and maximum current velocity of 0.139-0.452 m/s. It was also found that the dominant current direction was north and south. It was predicted that the distribution of the ballast water discharges during falling tide (the tide went from high to low) moved from south to north, heading the port exit. In contrast, during rising tide (the tide went from low to high), the distribution of the ballast water discharges moved from north to south, heading the estuary of Baru river. Â

The system design for calibrating acoustic Doppler current meter in the laboratory

The Acoustic Doppler Current meter is a most commonly device for the velocity measurement of the seawater in the ocean. We had designed an equipment to calibrate the Acoustic Doppler Current meter in the laboratory, which is mainly composed of a vertical circulating water tank and a system of Laser Doppler Velocimetry. The vertical circulating water tank is the key device of the calibration equipment. The optimization of flow field is carried out by the software, CFD. The optimization of structure intensity, modal analysis and low noise is carried out by the software, ANSYS. We had also used the propeller map to design the power section of the water tank. Through the comparison of the velocity of the flow between Acoustic Doppler Current meter and LDV at the same position in the working section of the water tank, the former can be calibrated, because the wavelength of optics is much less than that of acoustics in the water. After the experimental test, we found that when the fluid flows in the vertical circulating water tank, there exists no resonance phenomenon and the velocity of the flow in the working section is approximately proportional to the rotation speed of the propeller.

High-Resolution Spectral Estimation of HF Radar Data for Current Measurement Applications

AbstractThis paper presents a comparative study of high-resolution methods for high-frequency radar current mapping. A z-domain transformation and auxiliary z-domain manipulation of the autoregressive method is proposed for this comparison. A Weibull distribution test is recommended to justify the Rayleigh distribution of the sea clutter for quality control. Upon the power spectrum estimation, a conventional centroid method and a new symmetric-peak-sum method for the identification of current Doppler shift are proposed as another comparison. HF radar data were collected over the period from November 2012 to August 2013 at Placentia Bay, Newfoundland, Canada, and were compared with measurements from an acoustic Doppler current meter. This comparison is used to study the utility of high-resolution spectrum estimation and Bragg identification methods for surface current mapping. Results show promising use of these methods in different current scenarios and suggest combined applications to improve accuracy.

A Buoy for Continuous Monitoring of Suspended Sediment Dynamics

Knowledge of Suspended Sediments Dynamics (SSD) across spatial scales is relevant for several fields of hydrology, such as eco-hydrological processes, the operation of hydrotechnical facilities and research on varved lake sediments as geoarchives. Understanding the connectivity of sediment flux between source areas in a catchment and sink areas in lakes or reservoirs is of primary importance to these fields. Lacustrine sediments may serve as a valuable expansion of instrumental hydrological records for flood frequencies and magnitudes, but depositional processes and detrital layer formation in lakes are not yet fully understood. This study presents a novel buoy system designed to continuously measure suspended sediment concentration and relevant boundary conditions at a high spatial and temporal resolution in surface water bodies. The buoy sensors continuously record turbidity as an indirect measure of suspended sediment concentrations, water temperature and electrical conductivity at up to nine different water depths. Acoustic Doppler current meters and profilers measure current velocities along a vertical profile from the water surface to the lake bottom. Meteorological sensors capture the atmospheric boundary conditions as main drivers of lake dynamics. It is the high spatial resolution of multi-point turbidity measurements, the dual-sensor velocity measurements and the temporally synchronous recording of all sensors along the water column that sets the system apart from existing buoy systems. Buoy data collected during a 4-month field campaign in Lake Mondsee demonstrate the potential and effectiveness of the system in monitoring suspended sediment dynamics. Observations were related to stratification and mixing processes in the lake and increased turbidity close to a catchment outlet during flood events. The rugged buoy design assures continuous operation in terms of stability, energy management and sensor logging throughout the study period. We conclude that the buoy is a suitable tool for continuous monitoring of suspended sediment concentrations and general dynamics in fresh water bodies.

Diel and lunar cycles of vertical migration extending to below 1000 m in the ocean and the vertical connectivity of depth‐tiered populations

We measured diel migration with 11 acoustic Doppler current meter profilers and consistently found diel and lunar cycles of vertical migration from 250 m down to the bathypelagic (> 1000 m). These measurements come from year‐long deployments in eight locations within the Gulf of Mexico. Diel vertical migration could be characterized, in depth and time, by a pulse of maximum vertical migration activity (PMV), which has a nearly fix phase relation to sunrise and sunset modulated by the lunar cycle. The vertical velocity of migrating biota is in the same direction as the PMV propagation, but it is significantly slower. This difference in velocity implies that the PMV cannot represent the migration pattern of one single population. The lunar cycle is evident down to 1000 m, where the upward migration delays in phase with the full moon. The extension of the diel and lunar cycles over 1000 m depth together with the difference in vertical migration velocity indicate that the surface irradiance signal is transmitted to bathypelagic depth by synchronized depth‐tiered populations. A model in which particulate organics are recycled at different depths, similar to a bucket brigade, is consistent with these observations. This daily vertical connectivity is expected to affect the vertical transport of carbon down to the bathypelagic.

Free descent and on bottom ADCM measurements in the Puerto Rico Trench, 19.77°N, 67.40°W

On bottom ( ≈ 2 m ) current velocities in the Puerto Rico Trench ( ≈ 8350 m depth) were measured at 1 Hz for 75 min by acoustic-Doppler current meter at 19.75°N, 66.40°W, via untethered free-descent/ascent vehicle. The April 2008 deployment also recorded 3-axis velocity, temperature, pressure, and instrument heading, pitch, roll, and signal strength during the 153 min free-descent, and while on bottom. No data for the ascent was recorded. Signal strength was above the noise floor for the entire data set, and SNR and velocity STD were within known acceptable bounds above 7000 m. Instrument heading showed a continuous anti-clockwise rotation during descent. Doppler vertical velocity during descent is compared to the pressure time derivative and observed to exhibit extended periods of under-bias, correlated not to low SNR, but to Doppler horizontal velocity fluctuations. Doppler horizontal velocity during descent is interpreted to be tangential to rotation and includes lateral translations. Integration of horizontal velocity during descent suggests a lateral displacement of less than 30 m over the 8.35 km free-fall. Measurements made at impact indicate full functionality of the instrument at depth. Maximum horizontal velocities while on bottom varied between 1 and 5 cm/s and were directed roughly along trench axis to the W.

Variability of nutrients and chlorophyll a in Ancão Inlet during a spring tidal cycle in April 2009

São Luis or Ancão Inlet is the most western of the six inlets of the Ria Formosa lagoon, in southern Portugal. This inlet contributes relatively little to the water volume exchange over a tidal cycle (~10%). Temperature, salinity, pH, dissolved oxygen, and chlorophyll a and nutrient concentrations were measured hourly at the surface, at an intermediate level, and near the bottom over a complete spring tidal cycle, at a sampling point in the middle of the inlet. Current velocity was also measured hourly over the entire cross-section of the inlet using an acoustic Doppler current meter. From these parameters, the flow rate and the transport of nutrients and chlorophyll a were calculated and integrated over the complete tidal cycle providing the net transport. The results show that this is a well-mixed dynamic inlet where, during spring tide, the tidal signal is evident particularly for the nutrient and chlorophyll a concentrations. The nutrient concentrations were low (almost depleted), while the chlorophyll a concentrations were high (4–6 mg m–3). The estimated transports through Ancão Inlet revealed that there was a net import of chlorophyll a, nitrate, and phosphate to the Ria Formosa lagoon, while silicate was exported to the adjacent coastal area.

Intermittent Intense Turbulent Mixing under Ice in the Laptev Sea Continental Shelf

Abstract Vertical mixing in the bottom boundary layer and pycnocline of the Laptev Sea is evaluated from a rapidly sampled 12-h time series of microstructure temperature, conductivity, and shear observations collected under 100% sea ice during October 2008. The bottom boundary turbulent kinetic energy dissipation was observed to be enhanced (ε ∼ 10−4 W m−3) beyond background levels (ε ∼ 10−6 W m−3), extending up to 10 m above the seabed when simulated tidal currents were directed on slope. Upward heat fluxes into the halocline-class waters along the Laptev Sea seabed peaked at ∼4–8 W m−2, averaging out to ∼2 W m−2 over the 12-h sampling period. In the Laptev Sea pycnocline, an isolated 2-h episode of intense dissipation (ε ∼ 10−3 W m−3) and vertical diffusivities was observed that was not due to a localized wind event. Observations from an acoustic Doppler current meter moored in the central Laptev Sea near the M2 critical latitude are consistent with a previous model in which mixing episodes are driven by an enhancement of the pycnocline shear resulting from the alignment of the rotating pycnocline shear vector with the under-ice stress vector. Upward cross-pycnocline heat fluxes from the Arctic halocline peaked at ∼54 W m−2, resulting in a 12-h average of ∼12 W m−2. These results highlight the intermittent nature of Arctic shelf sea mixing processes and how these processes can impact the transformation of Arctic Ocean water masses. The observations also clearly demonstrate that absence or presence of sea ice profoundly affects the availability of near-inertial kinetic energy to drive vertical mixing on the Arctic shelves.

Temporal observations of rip current circulation on a macro-tidal beach

A field experiment was conducted on a high energy macro-tidal beach (Perranporth, UK) to examine rip current dynamics over a low-tide transverse bar/rip system in response to changing tide and wave conditions. Hydrodynamic data were collected using an array of in situ acoustic doppler current meters and pressure transducers, as well as 12 GPS-tracked Lagrangian surf zone drifters. Inter-tidal and sub-tidal morphology were measured through RTK-GPS and echo-sounder surveys. Data were collected for eight consecutive days (15 tides) over a spring-neap tidal cycle with tidal ranges of 4–6.5 m and offshore significant wave heights of 1–2 m and peak periods of 5–12 s. The hypothesis that rip current dynamics in a macro-tidal setting are controlled by the combination of variations in wave dissipation and morphological flow constriction, modulated by changes in tidal elevation was tested. During the measurement period, rip circulation was characterised by a large rotational surf zone eddy O(200 m) extending offshore from the inner-surf zone to the seaward face of the inter-tidal transverse bar. During high- and mid-tide, water depth over the bars was too deep to allow wave breaking, and a strong longshore current dominated the surf zone. As the water depth decreased towards low-tide, wave breaking was concentrated over the bar crests initiating the rotational rip current eddy. Peak rip flow speeds of 1.3 m s −1 were recorded around low-tide when the joint effects of dissipation and morphological constriction were maximised. At low tide, dissipation over the bar crests was reduced by partial bar-emergence and observations suggested that rip flows were maintained by morphological constriction and the side-drainage of water from the transverse bars.

Lagrangian and Eulerian estimates of circulation in the lee of Kapiti Island, New Zealand

Lagrangian drifters, moored acoustic Doppler current meters and hydrographic observations are combined with wind observations to describe the mean and variable nature of flow around Kapiti Island, New Zealand. Thirteen day-long deployments of up to six Lagrangian drifters show the mean flow is to the southwest, with evidence of stronger flows in the channel separating the island from the mainland, and an island wake in the lee of the island. Vortices in this island wake may be tidally driven. Scaling considerations suggest the flow is strong enough that tidal-generated vortices are shed on each tidal cycle. Both the drifters and mooring data suggest that the d’Urville Current around Kapiti Island has a significant wind-driven component. During north-westerlies, the drifters tend to hug the coast, and south-eastwards flows in the Rauoterangi Channel are accelerated. We suggest the observed correlation is the local expression of a South Taranaki basin scale response to the winds.

A Comparative Study of Stream‐Gaging Techniques for Low‐Flow Measurements in Two Virginia Tributaries1

Abstract: Nonpoint source pollution (NPS) studies, such as total maximum daily loads development, often require quantification of flow in small first‐order and second‐order streams. Frequently, stream‐gaging techniques are implemented in flows that are below the manufacturer’s recommended minimum velocity. A comparative analysis of the accuracy of current technologies used in NPS pollution stream‐gaging applications and their applicability in low‐flow conditions was conducted. Nine stream‐gaging methods were evaluated for their field and laboratory performance and control structures were used as the statistical control. Analysis of the field investigation data indicated that Marsh McBirney current meter and the One‐orange method were the most accurate in the field while the results of the laboratory experiments found that the Starflow acoustic Doppler and Valeport Braystoke current meter performed best among the 10 methods. Overall, the Marsh McBirney and Valeport Braystoke current meters exhibited the best performance for both field and laboratory situations.

Estimation of suspended sediment concentration in rivers using acoustic methods

Acoustic Doppler current meters (ADV, ADCP, and ADP) are widely used in water systems to measure flow velocities and velocity profiles. Although these meters are designed for flow velocity measurements, they can also provide information defining the quantity of particulate matter in the water, after appropriate calibration. When an acoustic instrument is calibrated for a water system, no additional sensor is needed to measure suspended sediment concentration (SSC). This provides the simultaneous measurements of velocity and concentration required for most sediment transport studies. The performance of acoustic Doppler current meters for measuring SSC was investigated in different studies where signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and suspended sediment concentration were related using different formulations. However, these studies were each limited to a single study site where neither the effect of particle size nor the effect of temperature was investigated. In this study, different parameters that affect the performance of an ADV for the prediction of SSC are investigated. In order to investigate the reliability of an ADV for SSC measurements in different environments, flow and SSC measurements were made in different streams located in the Aegean region of Turkey having different soil types. Soil samples were collected from all measuring stations and particle size analysis was conducted by mechanical means. Multivariate analysis was utilized to investigate the effect of soil type and water temperature on the measurements. Statistical analysis indicates that SNR readings ob tained from the ADV are affected by water temperature and particle size distribution of the soil, as expected, and a prediction model is presented relating SNR readings to SSC mea surements where both water temperature and sediment characteristics type are incorporated into the model. The coefficients of the suggested model were obtained using the multivariate anal ysis. Effect of high turbidity conditions on ADV performance was also investigated during and after rain events.

Forced Resonant Oscillations as a Response to Periodic Winds in a Stratified Reservoir

The response of the Sau reservoir to a wind field characterized by having marked periodicities of 12 h and 24 h has been studied. Measurements of temperature, with a thermistor string, and currents, with an acoustic Doppler current meter, show that the reservoir also responds with the same water periodicities. During certain times of the stratified period, some of the natural oscillation modes of the reservoir are close to these forcing wind periods. In particular, in mid-July the vertical Mode V2 is close to 12 h and in mid- to end of September the vertical Mode V3 is close to 24 h. In these situations, these modes are selected out of the spectrum of possible internal waves and the reservoir behaves as a forced oscillator in resonance with the wind. The structure and the period of these vertical modes have been elucidated by using the 3D model ELCOM. Both modes are affected by the Earth's rotation at the widest part of the reservoir.

Akvazond moored automatic measuring system for vertical profiling of the marine medium

The design and application of the Akvazond moored automatic water profiling system is described. The system was developed at the Shirshov Institute of Oceanology of the Russian Academy of Sciences. The system is designed for multidisciplinary oceanological studies and environmental monitoring on the sea shelves and continental slopes. An autonomous carrier (marine elevator) for different oceanic measuring equipment was developed for the first time in the practice of Russian oceanography. It is a carrier, for example, for an acoustic Doppler current meter, a CTD-profiler, a sensor of dissolved oxygen, a fluorometer, a turbidity meter, etc. The Akvazond system has an energy resource sufficient for profiling the water column in the programming regime for up to several months. The total length of the vertical displacement of the system at a nominal capacity of the power supply reaches 200 km. The main results of the field tests of the Akvazond and preliminary scientific results of its application are presented on the basis of the results of the Black Sea-2006 expedition.