2024 Gulf of Mexico Research Campaign
Collaborated with University of Georgia and University of Southern Mississippi, our team conducted a research campaign during May 16-29, 2024, in the Northern Gulf of Mexico. The research was funded by National Science Foundation (NSF) and was focused on measurements of bubble dynamics and the flows at the natural seep site Green Canyon (GC) 185. We were on board Research Vessel (R/V) Roger Revelle, a 273 feet long Global Class research vessel, operated by Scripps Institution of Oceanography (SIO). Together with the science team, we have two highly capable underwater robots, the autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) Sentry, and the remotely operated vehicle (ROV) Jason, operated by two teams from Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI).
We developed an in-situ particle image velocimetry (PIV) system, called RPiPIV, which is operated on a Raspberry Pi system. RPiPIV system is a versatile underwater equipment that is capable measure bubbles (size, shape, and rising behavior) and oceanic flows (velocity and turbulence) in two separated modes. We integrated RPiPIV onto ROV Jason, which allowed us to control the PIV and take measurements at 550 m seafloor from the control van.
The PIV camera was also used to sample bubble size distribution using shadow imaging. The white background plate was used to diffuse light to ease post image processing.
This photo shows the 'laser sheet' in front of the camera to demonstrate PIV operation.
We need to turn of the light on the ROV to carry out PIV measurements. This makes the control van look very entertaining. We even put on some music.
Close to the end of research cruise, the PIV system was configured into a self-contain mode for a planned 3+ month measurement. The entire PIV system was powered by an Alkaline battery package. The PIV was scheduled to wake up for 15 min every 5 hours (15 min duty on, 4 hr and 45 min duty off). During duty on time, the PIV algorithm was executed for 10 min. This will give us time series data for a few months to evaluate the temporal variability of natural seeps.
We had our group photo near the end of research campaign (photo credit to Sarah Kirk).
Two graduate students (Xuchen Ying and Mustahsin Reasad) participated in this research campaign and had a lot of fun while conducing research.
Update - Recovery Cruise
From Nov 24 to Dec 1, 2024, the EFD Lab participated the recovery cruise on the R/V Roger Revelle to retrieve the equipment that was deployed on the seabed in May 2024. Our PIV system was left at the seep site for six months to capture long-term data of water flow near a seep vent. During this cruise, a series of technical issues has happened to the cable used to power up the ROV, causing some delays. But finally, all scientific instruments were safely recovered.
