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Natural Environment Research Council
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Details of Award

NERC Reference : NE/N018699/1

Ocean Gliders: autonomous monitoring of the marine environment

Training Grant Award

Lead Supervisor:
Professor K Heywood, University of East Anglia, Environmental Sciences
Science Area:
Marine
Overall Classification:
Marine
ENRIs:
Biodiversity
Environmental Risks and Hazards
Global Change
Natural Resource Management
Pollution and Waste
Science Topics:
Biogeochemical Cycles
Ocean - Atmosphere Interact.
Ocean Circulation
Intelligent Measurement Sys.
Survey & Monitoring
Abstract:
Marine autonomous vehicles are platforms that are deployed into the ocean in order to survey, monitor or explore the conditions in the marine environment, that have intelligent control systems allowing them to remain in the ocean for extended periods with relatively little human intervention. Such vehicles are already revolutionising marine science, allowing us to make measurements in places or conditions that were previously impossible. Such vehicles require new expertise beyond the traditional skills of the observational oceanographer. This course aims to give a generation of early career scientists the necessary skills to be able to exploit these techniques. This new 5-day course will provide hands-on experience of ocean gliders using UEA's unique seawater tank, as well as the theoretical knowledge of how gliders and their sensors work. The training draws upon UEA's extensive experience of glider deployments worldwide and related publication record. Lecturers include experts in physical, chemical and biological ocean science using gliders, as well as a highly trained glider engineer. Training in ocean glider data analysis will highlight the potential pitfalls in taking glider data at face value, and identify the processing and quality control steps necessary to produce useful data for different applications. Students will be trained in the use of our Matlab Toolbox of routines to process glider data from raw files through to data ready for scientific analysis or industrial application. Another unique element is the strong involvement of glider vehicle manufacturers; both MOST (manufacturers of the Autonaut surface vehicle) and Kongsberg UK (the Seaglider manufacturers) will be involved. Furthermore, vehicle users from BAS and Cefas will be hosting visits from the course attendees, and giving lectures on the Slocum and Waveglider respectively, as well as lectures on applications of marine autonomous vehicles in their work. UEA is well placed to offer this training course. We are the only UK university running a fleet of ocean gliders; we are active in the European glider community (for example as work package leader on an EU-funded design study into using gliders for marine management and research) and hosted the 2015 glider community workshop. We have a strong background in outreach and education using gliders, for example our exhibit entitled "A Pinch of Salt" at the 2013 Royal Society Summer Science Exhibition showcased our Seagliders and how they work. Some of the practical aspects of the training course (such as the hands-on ballasting experiments in fresh and salt water) will be developed from elements of the exhibit. We own a unique full-size functioning 'ClearView' Seaglider, which is an excellent tool for training students in the principles and parts of the glider. The impact of the training will be to equip students with the confidence to embrace this new technology and to take it into their research and/or future careers in industry. They will have the knowledge to identify where and when a surface or profiling vehicle would be (and would not be) an appropriate tool for the scientific or monitoring task required. Removal of the mystique of ocean gliders and raising awareness of their potential are twin goals of this training course.
Period of Award:
1 Apr 2016 - 31 Mar 2017
Value:
£43,500
Authorised funds only
NERC Reference:
NE/N018699/1
Grant Stage:
Completed
Scheme:
Doctoral Training
Grant Status:
Closed

This training grant award has a total value of £43,500  

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FDAB - Financial Details (Award breakdown by headings)

Total - Other Costs
£43,500

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