3D-T mooring construction
Where normally a line with a limited number of instruments between anchor weight and top-buoy are deployed as an oceanographic fix-point mooring, we launched 45 lines with 3000 high-precision temperature sensors simultaneously. This huge effort was carried out to gain insight in the three-dimensional development of breaking underwater waves and turbulence for the distribution of substances in the deep sea. The entire set of instruments fills a half cubic hectometre seawater volume. For a period of three years, this unique mooring will remain at the foot of the southern French continental slope of the Mediterranean, an area known for various currents and eddies. The location is next to the underwater neutrino telescope, part of the large-scale infrastructure project KM3NeT. Are you interested in 3D-moored constructions? Our scientific and technical knowledge can help you with the further development of your idea.
General information
Turbulent mixing due to internal wave breaking has an impact on sediment resuspension and thus potentially on deep-sea life. The effects of internal wave mixing on deep-sea life led to some new observations on very deep plankton migration following the cycles of moon and sun at depths where not a glimpse of surface light penetrates, which suggested a link to the fascinating science of clock-biology. The neutrino telescope infrastructure of KM3NeT offers the great opportunity to perform 3D moored observations on the internal wave-turbulent overturning scales.
The available facilities and enthusiasm of scientists and technicians at NIOZ produces a very creative atmosphere. In close collaboration with electro-technicians, especially Martin Laan, software-engineer Frank van Maarsseveen and fine-mechanics engineers Johan van Heerwaarden and Roel Bakker the so-called NIOZ high-resolution temperature sensors have been developed. These high-tech thermometers have a precision of 0.01mK. Together with many NIOZ-sea-technicians led by Lorendz Boom they were also involved in the development of new mooring techniques like thin-line moorings, self-unrolling moorings and foldable 3D moorings.
Read more +It always starts with an idea
Technical facilities
Before shipping the mooring construction to the Mediterranean, all parts of the ring are fixed together. From the air you can see how enormous this construction is.Blog series
Follow scientist Hans van Haren and a team of technicians through blogs while assembling and final testing the 3D-T construction before towed to position.Video deployment 3D-T
The construction was lowered successful to 2500 m water depth, at the foot of the southern French continental slope of the Western Mediterranean.How may we support you
On the base of a good proposal we develop new or re-newed constructions with solid and high-tech ocean-going instruments. Do you need some advice on the deployment of ocean-going instruments? Or do you want to join us and collaborate with us? Please feel free to contact us. For more details see our publications below this page or visit the webage of KM3NeT.
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Contact
Deep Sea & Technology Centre
For all other questions or advice on sea-going instruments, please contact our Deep sea and Technology centre headed by Gert-jan Reichart, head of the Ocean Systems department and Marck Smit, Business Development Manager.
Take a look at our other showcases to get a good impression of our expertise in thinking, developing and implementing applied instruments for an optimal exploration of our oceans.
Publications
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van Haren, H., 2020. Challenger Deep internal wave turbulence events. Deep-Sea Res. I, 165, 103400 (download as PDF-file) & Cover 103413 (download as PDF-file).
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van Haren, H., M. Laan, S. Asjes, B. Denissen, 2020. Deep caller for ocean acoustic releases. J. Atmos. Ocean. Technol., 37, 1135-1137. (download as PDF-file)
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van Haren, H., 2020. High-resolution temperature observations of a shallow lagoon in the South Pacific (Bora Bora). J. Coast. Res., 36, 536-544. (download as PDF-file)
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van Haren, H., W.-C. Chi, C.-F. Yang, Y.J. Yang, S. Jan, 2020. Deep sea floor observations of typhoon driven enhanced ocean turbulence. Progr. Oceanogr., 184, 102315 (12 pp). (download as PDF-file)
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van Haren, H., 2020. Slow persistent mixing in the abyss. Ocean Dyn., 70, 339-352. (download as PDF-file)
