Top Three Oceanographic Survey Equipment

Together with precise Sound Velocity sensors, Oceanographic surveys need the capacity to interface various parameters / sensors for example pH, Dissolved Oxygen Turbidity, Flourometer, Transmissometer and PAR. Diverse scenarios and environments require a variety of housings and deployment frames, such as, to fit in-line moorings, profiling and seabed deployments. The main 3 fundamental oceanographic survey devices are equipment for the collection of CTD profiles, Tide gauges and Speed of sound Profilers. These instruments are outlined below. 1. Conductivity, temperature and density Profilers The CTD profiler is possibly the most widely utilised instrument in an oceanographer's armoury, providing detailed profile and time series information about the measured parameters Conductivity, Temperature and Pressure, and additionally the calculated values of Sound Velocity, Density and Salinity. A selection of equipment is readily available, from elementary plug on sensors for OEM purposes through hand held packages and devices for long term monitoring at permanent locations, to multiparameter profiling systems for deep ocean applications. Some Conductivity, temperature and density profilers use inductive Conductivity sensors. Electronic sampling procedures ensure good accuracy, and the building methods can deliver sensor stability at any depth. Temperature is always assessed using a rapid reaction PRT (Platinum Resistance Thermometer), and resources furthermore utilise industry grade strain gauge or resonant quartz pressure sensors. CTD profilers have already been developed to provide a cost effective resource for the collection of CTD Profiles, without effecting the quality of the records. Ideally suited to ROV, coastal, or small boat uses, the CTD profiler will appeal to survey enterprises, the military and universities alike, being both easy to work with and simple to cope with. 2. Tide gauge Water level recorders offer possibly one of the most basic of all marine readings - Accurate tidal data. This is vital for Port and Harbour Operations, Dredging, Surveying, equipment deployments, and many other applications. Features include:- a. ability to provide real time information, b. network capabilities, c. logging of tidal data for historical purposes; d. access through web or local intranet or fixed displays, e. transmission of data over a variety of telemetry links, f. in-line mooring or seabed fixing. The TideMaster is an example of a little, cost effective Water Level Recorder, specifically designed for uses where the user requires an accurate record of water height, but with the further option of meteorological records via an ultrasonic wind speed and direction sensor. Suitable for use in fresh or salt water, the TideMaster can be deployed for as much as 1 year, dependant on the sampling rate, with device set up and data retrieval via an optional monitor panel or using the Computer application provided. Alternatively, the system can be provided with radio modules for real time data transmission. 3. Sound Velocity Profiler Speed of sound Profilers are presently on offer on the market that can provide the following qualities a. Precision (peak to peak noise) of ±0.002m/s b. Genuine Accuracy of ±0.02m/s (Total Error Budget) c. Data rates up to 60Hz (instrument dependent) d. Operating range of 1375m/s to 1900m/s (covering all environments from fresh water to the Dead Sea and the Marianas Trench) One particular profiler is the miniSVP, a new budget version, designed to generate the most effective Sound velocity measurements at an affordable price. Featuring the unique and acclaimed "time of flight" SV sensor, the miniSVP is available in either 6000m rated titanium or 500m rated acetal versions. A large Flash memory and single C cell permit hundreds of profiles to be stored, and the pre-set profiling patterns enable it to be set up and put into service quickly and simply.

Established in 1969, Valeport designs and manufactures oceanographic survey instrumentation for the oceanographic, hydrographic and hydrometric communities, with a worldwide customer base that includes: environmental, defence, oil and gas, renewable energy, construction, dredging and civil engineering sectors. To view a range of oceanographic equipment suitable for oceanographic surveys, look at Valeport at http://www.valeport.co.uk