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Minipods

These are flexible, smart platforms for measuring physical processes close to the seabed.

Applications

  • near-seabed hydrographic regime
  • dispersion and fate of contaminants associated with sediments
  • sediment plumes from aggregate extraction, capital and maintenance dredging
  • sediment disturbance, for example after pipe or cable laying or when new structures, such as wind turbines, are introduced
  • analysis of sediments for a wide range of contaminants
  • sediment tracing using Maclaren and fluorescent techniques

Specifications

Variable Sensor Frequency
Horizontal currents Marsh McBurney electro-magnetic current meter 5 Hz
Suspended sediment at two elevations miniature optical backscatter sensor 1 Hz
Profile of suspended sediments concentration from 80 cm to seabed, particle size information acoustic backscatter sensor 2.5 Hz
Tidal elevation and waves DigiQuartz pressure sensor 5 Hz
Currents and backscatter throughout water column upward-looking ADCP 1 Hz
Temperature temperature 30 minutes
Compass roll and pitch auxiliary sensors 30 minutes

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Last Modified: 24 June 2011