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Project details
| Title: | Glider oceanographic survey in the Capricorn Channel |
| Id: | 2674 |
| Investigator(s): | Christine Hanson
University of Western Australia [details] |
| Description: | Objective: To provide detailed spatial and depth surveys of key areas of the Southern GBR to understand the main oceanographic processes in the region and complement the oceanographic data collected during RVI IN2026_V04 and test the eReefs model. |
| Description (full): | Objective: To provide detailed spatial and depth surveys of key areas of the Southern GBR to understand the main oceanographic processes in the region and complement the oceanographic data collected during RVI IN2026_V04 and test the eReefs model. Ocean gliders are an important oceanographic tool to undertake detailed regional surveys. Here we propose to undertake a glider survey of the Capricorn Channel region of the Southern Great Barrier Reef to complement the oceanographic surveys being undertaken by IN2026_V04. The eReefs model for the Southern GBR is primarily validated off a couple of shallow moorings in this region, and surface satellite data for the region. The IN2026_V04 survey and the glider data will help to validate and test the eReefs model for this region. The ocean glider will be deployed from Heron Island Research Station using their small vessels by staff from IMOS Ocean Gliders. The deployment is planned for late July 2026 (nominally 24 to 26 July). Slocum ocean gliders can generally operate for 3 weeks at a time. Once deployed, the glider will be operated remotely by the piloting team at IMOS Ocean Gliders. The glider will be directed northeast from Heron Island along the edge of the shelf, where it will conduct operations for up to 3 weeks. The glider can be 'followed' in near-realtime during its mission by the Science Team and any other interested stakeholders using an active .kmz file that will be available following the launch. The glider is typically programmed to surface every 2 hours, and will upload a portion of its collected data which is automatically plotted & made available via both the IMOS Ocean Gliders website (https://anfog.ecm.uwa.edu.au/) & IMOS Ocean Current (https://oceancurrent.aodn.org.au/gliders/index.php). The IMOS Ocean Gliders team will work with the Science Team to review the near-realtime data & optimise the glider's trajectory throughout the mission. As the mission proceeds, the IMOS pilots will be in contact with Science team and MNF staff if glider recovery by the RV Investigator is required during the IN2026_V04 voyage. Recovery is nominally planned for the week of 10 August 2026, although this may need to be adjusted depending on how the glider is travelling. It is important to note that gliders are often at the mercy of ocean currents, and so the IMOS Ocean Gliders team will keep a close eye on the glider's trajectory & will work with MNF staff to plan for the most sensible recovery location & timing. A detailed SOP/SWI has been be developed for the recovery of the glider. Gliders have previously been deployed and recovered from the RV Investigator and there is a rigid frame with a net on the vessel to undertake this recovery. To facilitate safe glider storage following recovery, a travel crate + storage trolley has been mobilised to Brisbane for onboarding RV Investigator prior to departure. Safe glider handling and storage information will be included in the SOP/SWI. The glider will be taken off RV Investigator during demobilisation in Brisbane, and shipped back to the IMOS Ocean Glider Facility in Perth, WA. The full dataset will be downloaded from the glider once it is safely back in the lab. The data will then undergo standard QA/QC procedures, and be made available via the AODN. |
| Years: | 2026 |
List of surveys that this project was on.
Use [details] link to view survey details (map, reports, metadata etc) including links to download data.
| Survey | Investigator | Description |
|---|---|---|
| IN2026_V04 [details] |
Helen Bostock | Scientific objectives 1) Characterise the Quaternary evolution of Darumbal and close neighbour Woppaburra Sea Country and integrate with traditional knowledge to contribute to understanding the cultural heritage values of the SGBR. 2) Assess the Quaternary evolution and development of the coral reefs in the SGBR. 3) Study the interaction of the modern ocean currents with the reefs and seascape of the SGBR – to help validate and improve eReefs models. 4) Atmospheric measurements for the SGBR will contribute to the Reef Restoration Adaptation Project (RRAP) |