Abstract

The National Science Foundation funded Ocean Observatories Initiative (OOI) deploys and operates a variety of state of the art, ocean observing instruments. The instruments are deployed in seven ocean and coastal arrays in the North and South Atlantic and Pacific oceans. The OOI manages and integrates data from the over 800 instruments deployed among its seven arrays. Instruments are located on a myriad of platforms including gliders, AUVs, surface buoys, profilers, inductive mooring cables, and seafloor junction boxes. Overall there are nearly 75 models of specialized instrumentation used throughout the OOI that collect over 200 unique data products. The types of instruments used in the arrays are Fluorome-ters, HD Digital Cameras, Acoustic Doppler Current Profilers, Bio-acoustic sonar and many more. http://oceanobservatories.org/ Each year the instrument manufactures improve their instruments which in turn allows the OOI to increase its ocean observing capabilities. These technologies will continue to evolve for the foreseeable future, thus enabling GCFI members to increase data collection and their understanding of our oceans and seas. The data collected from the OOI instruments can be analyzed and used to support reef surveys and wildlife movement. The instruments and technologies can also be used to analyze the impact of storms, seismic events and man made events like oil spills, on our reef systems. The way we use ocean observing technologies, is just as important as the technologies themselves. Instruments deployed on moorings can be moved to collect information, in anticipation of seasonal events and migratory patterns of sea life. Underwater autonomous vehicles can travel long distances while collecting data. The knowledge gained from using these technologies will increase man’s understanding.

PDF Preview