University of Western Australia Ocean Glider program launches 400th mission along Rottnest Continental shelf
Between a underwater drone and a space trip, Western Australia University ‘ocean planner’ Australian ochinography made mind bending discoveries.
The ocean glider program is a 16 -year collaboration between UWA and Integrated Marine Observation System and has reached an important milestone hosted in Perth Waters; The glider started his duty.
Professor Chari Pattiarathi said, “reaching 400 tasks is a proof of the vision of our team’s vision, the power of our partnerships and the importance of continuous ocean observation.” Media statement.
The glider made a great discovery in 2020 and revealed an incredible underwater river network surrounding the entire continent.
“This is the most important discovery for coastal oşinography, not only in Australia but also globally in recent years, Professor Pattiaratrchi said.
Professor Pattiarathi said that satellites were usually used to monitor surface properties such as river feathers, but the water flow was not detected until ocean gliders were distributed because the surface is below the surface.
These underwater flows are found for more than 10,000 kilometers of the Australian coastline and are formed with dense, salty water flowing from the continental shelf.
In an impressive way, the glider spent 10,000 days in water and underwater was more than 125,000 km.
In the last task, the glider will be released along the Rottnest Continental shelf, and will focus on collecting data about seasonal rise, Leeuwin stream and sea heat waves monitoring.
Uwa Ocean Institute Senior Researcher Christine Hanson said Leeuwin Current’s parent, Capes Current and Ningaloo movement, LEEUWİN Current.
Dr Hanson, Fremaantle Herald’a told, “seasonal rise is particularly important in Ningaloo, because it brings cool water and high nutrients that support this reef,” he said.
However, the recent monitoring of Leeuwin Current discovered a “warm water layer üzerine covering the Ningaloo Reef, and Dr Hanson is concerned that the reef is in“ critical danger ”.
