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Rockland turbulence probes

Glider pre-launch

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» Spring 2010

» Autumn 2005

Glider-175 (Rooney) launch

Latest operational information
On the 12th of October 2010 the Glider Team launched Glider-175 (Rooney) from a location 12 km offshore from North Wales. The Glider was fitted with a Rockland microRider which can be seen as a black tube on top of the Glider with silver probes protruding at the front.

12 October
The Glider was put through standard mission dives and the data evaluated.

13 October
Using the previous days data and performance information the Glider was re-programmed for optimum peformance of the RockLand turbulence probes.

14 October
During the continued test dives another type of turbulence probe was used from the University of Liverpool research boat (RV Marisa) to provide data for comparisons.

Glider-175 (Rooney) diving

The Rockland microRider probes are designed to measure turbulence by sampling water velocity fluctuations, temperature and conductivity up to 500 times every second.

For example, scientists can use this type of data to investigate mixing processes across thermocline and pycnocline features. It is important to understand mixing caused by waves, winds and tides which release trapped nutrients upwards to gain a better understanding of the changes in biological productivity where features like thermoclines and pyncoclines occur.

After these data have been analysed and assessed for quality, Glider-175 will be set off on planned scientific missions around the UK coast. One of the main advantages of Glider-175 is that it will be able to make turbulence measurements even during storm events when measurements from ships are too difficult to make.

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