1998 Projects

Current Projects

Biogeochemistry/
climate and ocean
circulation

Deep-sea
community dynamics

Sub-seabed flow on continental margins

Mid-ocean ridges and submarine volcanoes

Marine microbial ecology

New tools and
techniques

Feasibility studies

High-risk initiatives

ROV infrastructure

Mooring infrastructure

Technology
infrastructure

Video infrastructure

Monterey Bay Aquarium/
MBARI joint projects

1997 Projects

This project encompasses the routine monthly maintenance for MBARI’s surface moorings ("M1" and "M2") and their once-a-year overhaul maintenance, during which they are replaced with alternate moorings. The institute also maintains additional sensors on two moorings that are part of the TAO (Tropical Atmosphere Ocean) array, which consists of approximately 70 moorings in the tropical Pacific Ocean that transmit oceanographic and meteorological data in real-time via satellites. Operations personnel and hardware are provided for the TAO mooring cruises twice a year.

The technical support staff is evaluating mooring components and instruments and reviewing the structure design of MBARI’s moorings with respect to the current technology. In 1998 they will continue to upgrade sensors and instruments, some of which are from the original ATLAS/PMEL* moorings that have been in service for nine years. Advances slated for implementation or under consideration include:

• A ground-fault detection system—under development at MBARI—that will enhance mooring power monitoring and improve the capacity of support personnel to trouble-shoot instrument signal failures

• Integration of a new meteorological instrument package that will interface directly with the MBARI-developed OASIS (Ocean Acquisition System for Interdisciplinary Science)controller and will obviate the need for the older ATLAS controller

• Possible addition of a short-haul radio link, which would allow technicians to monitor operations and download computer software from a location near the mooring without actually boarding the mooring, as is currently necessary for carrying out such functions

• Replacement of mooring thermistor strings, which extend down about 300 meters from the sea surface to measure temperatures in the water column, with inductive thermistor strings, which do not require a direct wire connection and will allow the addition of salinity measurements

The comprehensive mooring system review also will include visits to other institutions for comparisons with their equipment. Recommended additional changes will continue into future years.

*ATLAS/PMEL–Autonomous Temperature Line Acquisition System/Pacific Marine Environmental Lab

Next: Technology infrastructure

Last updated: 07 October 2004