LONG-TERM GOAL

The long-term goal of this project is to quantify the role of turbulence and fine scale vertical shear and buoyancy on the formation, evolution, and breakdown of plankton thin layers. Particular attention is given to understanding the relationship of the space and time statistics of the physical fields to that of the plankton thin layers. SPECIFIC PROJECT OBJECTIVES (1) Quantify the space and time statistics of the turbulent field both within and around thin layers. Estimate the micro and fine scale parameters: the turbulent dissipation rate, the turbulent rms velocity, the turbulent eddy diffusivity, fine scale velocity shear, and fine scale stratification. (2) Quantify the temporal and spatial scales of thin layers of phytoplankton. (3) Quantify the role of physical processes, such as turbulence mixing (diffusion), shear dispersion, and mean current advection on the temporal and spatial distribution and evolution of thin layers in the coastal ocean. APPROACH The observational approach is to use the Autonomous Underwater Vehicle, T (Turbulence)-REMUS See Figure 1. T-REMUS is a custom designed REMUS 100 vehicle manufactured by Hydroid Inc