Lander – Deep Autonomous Profiler
Christopher Roman (URI)
Photo by Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
Overview
This project will integrate a passive acoustic recording system into the Deep Autonomous Profiler (DAP). The DAP is an 11km rated hadal lander and water column profiler built around a standard Seabird CTD rosette. It is capable of measuring exploration variables (T,S,O2), recording video segments, and collecting water samples throughout the full water column or while resting on the bottom for days at a time. Incorporating a passive acoustics system will add a valuable environmental parameter that is not possible to collect during traditional ROV and AUV missions due to self-noise. The DAP is an ideal ship-independent means to collect these soundscape data in an operationally flexible manner that makes greater use of planned ship time and existing resources. This project is split into two parts. The integration of the passive acoustics and some minor modifications to the DAP are contained under this project. Testing of the system will be completed during the Technology Challenge and PMNM E/V Nautilus cruise legs.
