Physical Oceanography Facilities

Coastal Ocean Radar System

The Ocean Currents Mapping Lab uses an array of HF radio systems, SeaSondes, manufactured by CODAR Ocean Sensors, to continuously map surface currents in the coastal ocean of the Pacific Northwest. The long-range systems (5 MHz, 180km range) provide maps along the entire coast of Oregon, as well as northern California and southern Washington, mapped onto a 6km grid. The standard-range systems (12MHz, 50km range) provide higher-resolution maps of two regions, the Columbia River outflow and the shelf between Newport and Heceta Head, on a 2km grid. Maps are collected hourly and the daily-averaged maps are posted to the web (http://bragg.coas.oregonstate.edu). For further information, contact Prof. Mike Kosro.

Moored Instruments

The Buoy Group designs, builds, calibrates, and deploys moorings equipped with calibrated, self-contained instruments to measure water velocity, temperature, pressure, and salinity. Meteorological buoys with direct reporting via satellite are also available. All moorings and equipment are designed for multi-year deployments. Data reduction from the instruments can be provided using both the pre-deployment and post-deployment calibrations. The Buoy Group can also provide analysis of the collected data. Data are archived and maintained locally and can be submitted to national archives if desired. Data can be maintained in an existing on-line relational database accessible from the Internet. Data reports can be prepared and distributed either in paper form or on CD-ROM. Work can be done for eligible outside investigators on a contract basis.

Ocean Mixing Laboratory

The Microstructure (or turbulence) Laboratory exists to support experimental investigations into the small-scale physics of the ocean. This requires an ongoing program of design and development of new sensors and platforms to be used in oceans and lakes around the world. The laboratory has electronics and mechanical design and fabrication capabilities, calibration facilities for both new and conventional sensors, as well as up-to-date computing power for interfacing and data analysis that can be networked to stand alone from the college for remote use at sea. For more information, contact Prof. Jim Moum.

Optical Properties Laboratory

The Ocean Optics group operates a facility for the in situ determination of optical properties. Various instrument platforms can be deployed that measure the spectral absorption, scattering and attenuation coefficients for both dissolved and particulate matter, spectral fluorescence, spectral backscattering, spectral upwelling radiance, and downwelling irradiance. Instrumentation for measuring the spectral radiance and irradiance inside sea-ice is also available.