Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 15, 2026
09:22
Quantitatively Measuring In situ Flows using a Self-Contained Underwater Velocimetry Apparatus (SCUVA)
Published on: October 31, 2011
Ocean outfall plume characterization using an Autonomous Underwater Vehicle
Peter Rogowski1, Eric Terrill, Mark Otero
1Scripps Institution of Oceanography, La Jolla, CA 92093-0213, USA. progowski@ucsd.edu
Summary
Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs) equipped with Colored Dissolved Organic Matter (CDOM) sensors can effectively map wastewater plumes. This advanced AUV technology offers higher resolution plume characterization than traditional methods.
Area of Science:
- Oceanography
- Environmental Science
- Marine Biology
Background:
- Ocean outfalls are critical for wastewater management.
- Traditional monitoring methods like cast-based techniques have limitations in plume characterization.
- Understanding wastewater plume dynamics is essential for environmental protection.
Purpose of the Study:
- To map and characterize the Point Loma Ocean Outfall (PLOO) wastewater plume.
- To evaluate the effectiveness of Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs) for plume monitoring.
- To assess the utility of Colored Dissolved Organic Matter (CDOM) for quantifying plume dilution.
Main Methods:
- Deployment of an AUV equipped with optical and oceanographic sensors.
- Measurement of Colored Dissolved Organic Matter (CDOM) within the wastewater plume.
- Comparison of AUV observational data with model results.
Main Results:
- AUVs provide enhanced mobility and data resolution for plume surveying.
- CDOM measurements enabled quantitative estimates of plume dilution.
- AUV-based monitoring proved more effective than traditional cast-based methods, even in variable oceanic conditions.
Conclusions:
- AUVs equipped with CDOM sensors offer a superior method for characterizing ocean outfall plumes.
- Properly planned AUV missions provide high-resolution data for plume tracking and assessment.
- This technology aids in understanding wastewater mixing and environmental impact.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:11Buoyancy and Stability for Submerged and Floating Bodies
In fluid mechanics, buoyancy and stability are key concepts for understanding the behavior of submerged and floating bodies. When a stationary body is fully or partially submerged in a fluid, the fluid exerts a force on the body known as the buoyant force. This force acts vertically upward through a point called the center of buoyancy, which is the center of the displaced fluid volume. According to Archimedes' principle, the magnitude of the buoyant force is equal to the weight of the fluid...
01:12Buoyancy
When an object is placed in a fluid, it either floats or sinks. All objects in a fluid experience a buoyant force. For example, a metal ball sinks, while a rubber ball floats. Similarly, a submarine can sink and float by adjusting its buoyancy. The concept of buoyancy raises several interesting questions. For instance, where does this buoyant force come from? How much buoyant force is required to make an object sink or float? Do objects that sink get any support at all from the fluid?
To get...
To get...
01:27Uniform Depth Channel Flow
Uniform depth channel flow keeps fluid depth consistent along channels such as irrigation canals. In natural channels, such as rivers, approximate uniform flow is often assumed. This condition occurs when the channel’s bottom slope matches the energy slope, balancing potential energy lost from gravity with head loss due to shear stress. This balance prevents depth changes along the channel length, resulting in a steady, uniform flow.Uniform flow in open channels with a constant cross-section...