NOC turbulence glider deployment report for the OSMOSIS Project

This document summarises the three deployments of the NOC Liverpool Teledyne Webb Research Slocum glider fitted with an external Rockland Scientific International micro-Rider turbulence probe during September 2011. The general aim of these glider deployments was to generate underwater turbulence and glider based CTD measurements for comparison with other sensor systems. This information will be used for evaluation of the performance of other measurement systems that are required for the Ocean Surface Mixing, Ocean Sub-mesoscale Interaction Study (OSMOSIS) research project. All of the measurement systems were deployed in close proximity to a series of moorings that had a nominal centre location of 55O 46.92”N, -5O 12.6”W. Turbulence measurements used for comparison with the glider were recorded using a ship based Rockland Scientific International (RSI) Vertical Microstructure Profiler (VMP) and a REMUS 600 AUV with a RSI turbulence measurement package installed. The survey work described in this document was designed to act as a test and rehearsal for the use of the sensor systems that will be required for a Celtic Sea shelf edge based research cruise for the OSMOSIS project. The shelf edge cruise is scheduled to take place during 2012. An overview of the aims of each glider deployment and the subsequent glider performance is included. The glider deployments in Scotland culminated in co-located survey on Thursday 15th September 2011 that involved all of the OSMOSIS sensors, AUVs, moorings and ship based measurement systems operating in the same general location at the same time. This document concludes with a summary of the glider performance and recommendations are made regarding the scheduling and format for future scientific campaigns that require the use of the NOCL gliders