Different Underwater Tracking Systems Needed For Oceanographic Studies

One of the critical tasks of an oceanographer is to study the water, its contents, and the landforms. For example, using a sonar, one can detect whether any fish community is in the beam's path or simply the seabed.

Oceanographers' research includes studying marine life and ecosystems, ocean circulation, plate tectonics and seafloor geology, and oceans' chemical & physical properties.

To perform the best research, oceanographers need the best underwater tracking systems. These are made from several elements that will send signals, and on receiving the responding signals, process them. Based on that, engineers and scientists will decipher the data.

There are different types of tracking tools and accessories like the oceanographic winch.

So, without wasting any further time, let's dive into the collection of tracking tools that will help you study the waters properly.

1. Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler

An acoustic Doppler current profiler helps detect the ocean currents, velocities, and direction based on the doppler effect. According to this technique, if the sound vibrations move towards the object, the doppler velocity will increase and vice versa. Since the doppler effect is practical and accurate, this instrument is used as a positioning system and tracking device.

An acoustic Doppler current profiler (ADCP) is a hydroacoustic current meter similar to a sonar. It is used to measure water current velocities over a depth range utilizing the concept of the sound waves Doppler effect; sound waves are scattered back from particles within the water column.

2. Echo Locators

Echo locators or sonars work on the principle of reflection of ultrasonic sounds. There is a transponder that generates the sound vibrations into the water. One sonar can cause one or multiple beams. They increase in terms of cone angles and till they hit the sea bed or any object in between. Once it hits a solid surface, it gets reflected in the same medium but in a different direction. The receiving antenna then receives the reflected pulses and processes them. The sound vibrations are converted into electrical signals, after which reading data becomes more accessible.

3. ROV cameras

Using the oceanographic winch, the ROVs are launched into the water. These devices are equipped with high-resolution cameras so that everything underwater can be made visible. These are usually deployed in areas where tectonic plates are present, shipwrecks, any active volcanoes, and so on. The ROVs are essential because they can track everything directly. Moreover, the camera feeds are directly conveyed to the central control center, which is why most researchers and scientists use them.

4. Underwater GPS device

The standard GPS cannot track everything under the water. Therefore companies introduced underwater GPS. This is directly linked to the satellite and will help you to get pinpoint locations of everything. This is one of the best underwater tracking systems that you need to have if you want to study marine communities, identify the areas of mountains and plateaus, and so on.

Discover the hidden treasures using the best tracker

With the best tracking equipment units like the ROV cameras, underwater scanner, and so on, you will be able to know more about the marine lifeforms, the tectonic plate positions, the undersea volcanic activities, and so on. Hence, make sure you are getting the right equipment units to collect data and explore the underwater world in a better manner.