SeaExplorer Underwater Glider: A New Tool to Measure depth-resolved water currents profiles

Abstract

In 2017, a 1-megahertz acoustic doppler current profiler (Nortek ad2cp) was integrated into the SeaExplorer glider in the framework of a research project conducted by Alseamar together with TOTAL SA and academic research laboratories. Absolute water current profiles were computed using the shear algorithm and by adapting the processing to the specificities of glider measurements. A comparison with reference insitu ship-ADCP measurements permitted to validate glider data and demonstrated the ability of the SeaExplorer platform to acquire accurate data. At present day more than 1500 ADCP profiles were acquired by the SeaExplorer opening new perspectives in fundamental and operational oceanography.