Evaluating the Sensor-Equipped Autonomous Surface Vehicle C-Worker 4 as a Tool for Identifying Coastal Ocean Acidification and Changes in Carbonate Chemistry
Evaluating the Sensor-Equipped Autonomous Surface Vehicle C-Worker 4 as a Tool for Identifying Coastal Ocean Acidification and Changes in Carbonate Chemistry
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DOI：
10.3390/jmse8110939
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发表时间：
2020-11-01
影响因子：
2.9
通讯作者：
Evans, Claire
中科院分区：
文献类型：
--
作者：
Cryer, Sarah;Carvalho, Filipa;Evans, Claire
陆地和海洋之间的界面是生物地球化学碳循环的关键环境，但这些动态环境传统上是采样不足的。从历史上看，后勤方面的限制阻碍了对沿海地区过程的全面了解，包括海洋酸化。在自主平台上使用传感器是一种很有前途的方法，可以增强这些环境中的数据收集。在这里，我们评估了自动水面车辆（ASV） C-Worker 4 （CW4）的使用情况，该车辆配备了pH和pCO(2)传感器，并能够安装多达10个其他参数的附加传感器，用于在浅海环境中收集高分辨率数据。我们在伯利兹沿海水域两次部署了CW4，分别使用了2.5天和4天，展示了其对表层沿海生物地球化学进行高分辨率空间测绘的能力。这可以表征小尺度变化，识别低pH/高pCO(2)水域的来源，以及识别对沿海pH的潜在控制。我们展示了CW4在预先计划的“自主”任务模式和远程“手动”操作模式下的能力。在记录了平台的行为之后，我们提供了进一步使用的建议，例如为获得更高质量的pH数据而理想的操作模式，例如，使用恒定速度。CW4具有高电源供应能力，允许同时部署多个传感器采样，吃水浅，并且具有高度可控性和可操作性。这使得它成为一个非常适合的工具，用于观察和表征碳酸盐岩系统，同时识别浅海地区潜在的驱动因素和控制因素。
The interface between land and sea is a key environment for biogeochemical carbon cycling, yet these dynamic environments are traditionally under sampled. Logistical limitations have historically precluded a comprehensive understanding of coastal zone processes, including ocean acidification. Using sensors on autonomous platforms is a promising approach to enhance data collection in these environments. Here, we evaluate the use of an autonomous surface vehicle (ASV), the C-Worker 4 (CW4), equipped with pH and pCO(2) sensors and with the capacity to mount additional sensors for up to 10 other parameters, for the collection of high-resolution data in shallow coastal environments. We deployed the CW4 on two occasions in Belizean coastal waters for 2.5 and 4 days, demonstrating its capability for high-resolution spatial mapping of surface coastal biogeochemistry. This enabled the characterisation of small-scale variability and the identification of sources of low pH/high pCO(2) waters as well as identifying potential controls on coastal pH. We demonstrated the capabilities of the CW4 in both pre-planned "autonomous" mission mode and remote "manually" operated mode. After documenting platform behaviour, we provide recommendations for further usage, such as the ideal mode of operation for better quality pH data, e.g., using constant speed. The CW4 has a high power supply capacity, which permits the deployment of multiple sensors sampling concurrently, a shallow draught, and is highly controllable and manoeuvrable. This makes it a highly suitable tool for observing and characterising the carbonate system alongside identifying potential drivers and controls in shallow coastal regions.