Exploring the potential of ocean gliders: a pirate-proof technique to illuminate mesoscale physical-biological interactions off the coast of Oman
Lead Research Organisation:
University of East Anglia
Department Name: Environmental Sciences
Abstract
The northwestern Indian Ocean (Arabian Sea, Arabian Gulf) is a fascinating place that plays an important role in the global ocean ecosystem. The winds completely change direction from one season to the next; this is called the monsoon system. During half the year, the winds blow from the southwest. Because of the rotation of the Earth, a wind from this direction moves the water away from the coast of Oman. This brings up deep cold water from below the ocean surface, which is often associated with rapid growth (called blooms) of ocean plant life called algae. This upwelled water is cold, but most importantly, it is very low in the amount of oxygen gas dissolved in the water. This is important, because fish cannot survive in low oxygen water. Sometimes the algal blooms are toxic. But scientists really don't yet understand the way in which the water becomes low in oxygen in the first place, or why the blooms happen when and where they do. This project hopes to shed light on these issues. These are important questions for the management of the Arabian Sea, and also for the people of Oman. Toxic algal blooms and fish kill events damage the local fishing industry and the food source for the population, and can cause death in the local population through contamination of food.
One reason that progress on these scientific questions has stalled is that the Arabian Sea is troubled by piracy. Large international research ships are not able to go there. So we have to be more imaginative. One possible solution is to use autonomous underwater vehicles called ocean gliders to make the measurements we would normally make from ships. The gliders are piloted remotely by scientists using their computers and satellite communication. They spend most of their time underwater like a submarine, so people won't know they're there. The gliders send their data back in real time too, so even if the pirates did decide to steal the glider, we would still have the data.
This project will bring together, for the first time, scientists from the UK and from Oman, to explore how we can best use this state-of-the-art technology to address these questions regarding the ocean processes off the coast of Oman. This requires a multi-disciplinary approach; the gliders will be measuring the physical, chemical and biological properties of the water. This project will pool the expertise of both sets of scientists, to design a trial, carry out a short deployment of a glider in the region, and analyse the results. The lessons learned from the trial will help us to plan a more ambitious field programme, as a joint UK-Oman contribution to a big international campaign in the latter half of this decade to move forward our scientific understanding of the Indian Ocean.
One reason that progress on these scientific questions has stalled is that the Arabian Sea is troubled by piracy. Large international research ships are not able to go there. So we have to be more imaginative. One possible solution is to use autonomous underwater vehicles called ocean gliders to make the measurements we would normally make from ships. The gliders are piloted remotely by scientists using their computers and satellite communication. They spend most of their time underwater like a submarine, so people won't know they're there. The gliders send their data back in real time too, so even if the pirates did decide to steal the glider, we would still have the data.
This project will bring together, for the first time, scientists from the UK and from Oman, to explore how we can best use this state-of-the-art technology to address these questions regarding the ocean processes off the coast of Oman. This requires a multi-disciplinary approach; the gliders will be measuring the physical, chemical and biological properties of the water. This project will pool the expertise of both sets of scientists, to design a trial, carry out a short deployment of a glider in the region, and analyse the results. The lessons learned from the trial will help us to plan a more ambitious field programme, as a joint UK-Oman contribution to a big international campaign in the latter half of this decade to move forward our scientific understanding of the Indian Ocean.
Planned Impact
The impact of this pump priming funding will be primarily felt by the authorities in Oman trying to manage fisheries, anticipate harmful algal blooms and their effects, and predict fish kill events. If we can show that the glider data are valuable for assimilating into their local models, and for design of an early warning system, then we expect to develop the collaboration further. We would seek funding for a more in depth study of the processes of upwelling and bloom dynamics over a seasonal cycle, including both monsoon wind regimes.
The project will also benefit the public and students in Oman. We would take the opportunity to engage with these audiences during our visits to Oman, for example showing the Seaglider. Constantly updated plots of the data from the pilot experiment will be available on our website (http://ueaglider.uea.ac.uk/DIVES/index.php) so that students, policy makers and interested laypeople can see the ocean around them changing from day to day and place to place. The map of the region will constantly update the glider's location, path and profiles.
The project will also benefit the public and students in Oman. We would take the opportunity to engage with these audiences during our visits to Oman, for example showing the Seaglider. Constantly updated plots of the data from the pilot experiment will be available on our website (http://ueaglider.uea.ac.uk/DIVES/index.php) so that students, policy makers and interested laypeople can see the ocean around them changing from day to day and place to place. The map of the region will constantly update the glider's location, path and profiles.
Publications
Font E
(2022)
Seasonal to Intraseasonal Variability of the Upper Ocean Mixed Layer in the Gulf of Oman
in Journal of Geophysical Research: Oceans
Piontkovski S
(2016)
Decadal changes of the Western Arabian sea ecosystem
in International Aquatic Research
Piontkovski S
(2017)
Subsurface algal blooms of the northwestern Arabian Sea
in Marine Ecology Progress Series
Queste B
(2018)
Physical Controls on Oxygen Distribution and Denitrification Potential in the North West Arabian Sea
in Geophysical Research Letters
Description | We have discovered the important role of eddies of Persian Gulf Water in determining the ecology of the Arabian Gulf. We have demonstrated extremely low oxygen waters in the region for the first time. |
Exploitation Route | Useful for defence, for studying bioluminescence, for desalination plant management in the Gulf, and for management and prediction of harmful algal blooms. |
Sectors | Aerospace Defence and Marine Environment Other |
Description | The findings are being used by ONR to study the Arabian Gulf, and are ebbing made available to the UK Met Office to improve their regional models. |
First Year Of Impact | 2015 |
Sector | Aerospace, Defence and Marine,Environment |
Impact Types | Societal |
Description | AlterEco |
Amount | £1,800,000 (GBP) |
Funding ID | NE/P013902/1 |
Organisation | Natural Environment Research Council |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 04/2017 |
End | 04/2020 |
Description | ERC Advanced Grant |
Amount | € 3,500,000 (EUR) |
Organisation | European Research Council (ERC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | Belgium |
Start | 09/2017 |
End | 09/2022 |
Description | EnvEast PhD studentship |
Amount | £70,000 (GBP) |
Organisation | University of East Anglia |
Department | EnvEast NERC Doctoral Training Partnership |
Sector | Academic/University |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 09/2016 |
End | 04/2020 |
Description | Half PhD student stipend |
Amount | £25,000 (GBP) |
Organisation | Centre For Environment, Fisheries And Aquaculture Science |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 09/2016 |
End | 09/2020 |
Description | NEXUSS CDT studentship (fees and RTSG only) |
Amount | £20,000 (GBP) |
Organisation | Natural Environment Research Council |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 09/2016 |
End | 09/2020 |
Description | ONR grant |
Amount | $180,000 (USD) |
Organisation | US Navy |
Department | US Office of Naval Research Global |
Sector | Academic/University |
Country | United States |
Start | 01/2015 |
End | 12/2016 |
Description | University of East Anglia half student stipend |
Amount | £25,000 (GBP) |
Organisation | University of East Anglia |
Sector | Academic/University |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 09/2016 |
End | 09/2020 |