What is Oceanography?

Marine Science Or oceanography is the study of the oceans, how they are formed, its associated life forms, the coastal interactions, and the atmosphere.

How can aquatic research affect us? What are some ways that you can think of the aquatic research can affect us in everyday life? How will these become more important in the future?

S.C.U.B.A. Self Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus. Scientists first used SCUBA equipment to map the ocean floors (shallow) and look at aquatic life.

Scientific Advances in Marine Science Underwater Exploration

Underwater Exploration- Drifters, HOVs, ROVs, AUVs

Argo- adjustable oil pack allows buoy to rise and sink every 10 days. (6500 ft max depth)

Argo Continuously measures temperature and salinity of the upper 2000 m of the ocean (data made publicly available within hours after collection) Because over 90% of the observed increase in heat content of the air/land/sea climate system over the past 50 years occurred in the ocean [Levitus et al., 2001] It will improve our understanding of the ocean's role in climate

Spray Glider

Spray Adjustable oil packs enable it to sink and rise, with wings that propel it forward 10”/second (max depth 5,000 ft) Sensors measure nutrient density, chlorophyll abundance, and current motion GPS tracks location

Exploration Vehicle Types HOV-human operated vehicles- subs ROV-remotely operated vehicles- tethered robots AUV-autonomous untethered vehicles- preprogrammed robots

AUV-Autonomous Benthic Explorer (ABE) being deployed

ABE - first underwater robotic vehicle of its kind ABE is untethered, unmanned and works for long hours at extreme depths. ABE can survey bottom environments at depths of 5000 meters with a variety of sensors and tools. ABE carries a full complement of scientific survey equipment including: conductivity and temperature probes, a depth recorder, video cameras, and a magnetometer to measure magnetic fields. Also equipped with sonar for advanced mapping, as well as geological sampling tools Weighs approx pounds and 2 meters long, with top cruising speed of 2 knots

Alvin-Sub Alvin was the first deep-sea submersible capable of carrying passengers, usually a pilot and two observers Upgraded Alvin can plunge to a maximum depth of 14,764 ft (21,000 in 2009) Scans ocean floor, cameras image surroundings, and manipulator arm collects specimen

HOV Deepworker

ROV Remotely operated underwater vehicles (ROVs) are unoccupied, highly maneuverable underwater robots operated by a person aboard a surface vessel They are linked to the ship by a group of cables that carry electrical signals back and forth between the operator and the vehicle Most are equipped with at least a video camera and lights. Additional equipment is commonly added to expand the vehicle’s capabilities. These may include a still camera, a manipulator or cutting arm, water samplers, and instruments that measure water clarity, light penetration, and temperature.

ROV Kept aboard vessels for safety reasons In the event that a submersible becomes entangled it can use cutter blades to the manipulator arm and used to free the sub If a sub loses power and cannot surface, the ROV’s manipulator arm can grab onto the sub

Exploring the Titanic The ROV JJ was controlled remotely by a pilot inside Alvin through a fiber optic cable

S2 Phantom ROV can move horizontally, vertically and laterally.

Hybrid ROV (HROV)-due 2006 Swim free or fiber optic tether to the ship Ceramic pressure housing allows for 36,000 ft max depth,and 36 hours of seafloor surveys (sonar imaging), temperature and chemical readings, pictures, videos to sampling of rocks/deep- sea animals – all in one!

Measuring Depth

Bathymetry - Mapping & Measuring the Oceans Depth How do we know how deep the entire ocean is when we’ve only explored less than 25%??!

Letting down a weighted line Weighing a ball of string with a known weight after letting out a length Early Depth Measurements

Depth Technology - Today Echo Sounding (pinging) Multibeam Systems Satellite Altimetry

Multibeam System

Side Scan Sonar (sound navigation and ranging)

Satellite Altimetry Have to wait until tomorrow to find out!!

Formula Depth= Time x is the speed of sound in salt water -Divide by 2 for the time to reach bottom and back