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Observational Oceanography

Observing various characteristics of the ocean currents and water to improve understanding oil movement

Project Summary

Surface drifters designed to track oil spill movement.

Caption:

Surface drifters designed to track oil spill movement.

Background

The movement of spilled oil depends on the winds and currents. Models of circulation that are used in spill trajectory models depend on having good observations of ocean properties and currents. The oceaongraphic observations also provide information needed to understand the recovery of populations of marine organisms impacted by spills.

Approach

Moorings were used in the entrances to Prince William Sound to understand exchange with the Gulf of Alaska. Surveys of temperature and salinity provided a means to estimate larger scale circulation. Drifters drogued at various depths were used to follow the flow of water. Intenive observation periods were used to test the circulation model skill.

Results

The moorings showed the seasonal changes in exchange between the Gulf of Alaska and Prince William Sound, with most of the deepwater exchange occuring during the summer. Drifters showed a cyclonic (counterclockwise) eddy in PWS during the summer. Drifters released in PWS made it to Cook Inlet and as far as the Bering Sea. Surface currents are much stronger than at 40 m. Storms were seen to change the circulation pattern. Ship-based surveys were used to describe the seasonal changes in the surface mixed layer and the general oceanographic properties around PWS.

Additional Photos

Preparing mooring equipment for deployment to track ocean currents.

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Preparing mooring equipment for deployment to track ocean currents.
Deploying acoustic doppler current profilers.

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Deploying acoustic doppler current profilers.
An autonomous glider used to survey ocean properties.

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An autonomous glider used to survey ocean properties.
A mooring measuring ocean properties about to be released.

Caption:

A mooring measuring ocean properties about to be released.