Measuring the Characteristics of Short-Period Internal Waves Using an Array of Drifting Thermoprofiling Buoys

E. I. Svergun1, ✉, A. V. Zimin1, 2, S. V. Motyzhev3, 4, E. G. Lunev3, 4, A. P. Tolstosheev3, 4, M. S. Volikov3, 4

1 Shirshov Institute of Oceanology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russian Federation

2 Saint Petersburg State University, Saint Petersburg, Russian Federation

3 Sevastopol State University, Sevastopol, Russian Federation

4 Marlin-Yug LLC, Sevastopol, Russian Federation

✉ e-mail: Egor-svergun@yandex.ru

Abstract

Purpose. Technical characteristics of a mobile rapidly deployable autonomous hydrophysical measuring system based on an array of drifting buoys, as well as the method for analyzing the obtained measurement data are described to study the characteristics of short-period internal waves.

Methods and Results. The developed system is based on the autonomous free-drifting surface thermoprofiling buoys and the automatic receiving station. Each of the buoys is equipped with a measuring line with eighteen temperature sensors and a hydrostatic pressure sensor, a global positioning receiver, a data collection system and a satellite modem for data transmission. The receiving station consists of the information receiving unit, satellite communication antennas and global positioning system, as well as a personal computer with specialized software. A method for assessing the characteristics of short-period internal waves based on the observational data from autonomous hydrophysical system is presented. The novelty of the method consists in determining the time difference between the arrivals of internal wave trains at different measuring lines based on the local maxima of moving dispersion at the pycnocline depth. The examples of analyzing the observational data obtained in the large thermostratified lake (Lake Onega) and in the sea (Kara Gate Strait) are presented. The obtained and submitted estimates of phase velocity and direction of the propagation of internal waves are compared to the simplest model estimates.

Conclusions. The developed software and hardware packages significantly simplify the process of studying the characteristics of short-period internal waves in relatively large lakes and distant areas of the World Ocean. The examples of system application have shown its versatility. In future, the buoy group can be supplemented with new buoys with additional sensors that will expand the possibilities for analyzing observational data.

Keywords

water temperature, measurement methods, in situ measurements, distributed measuring systems, short-period internal waves, signal processing, Lake Onega, Kara Sea

Acknowledgements

Measurements in the Kara Sea were carried out within the framework of scientific and educational program “Floating University” (agreement No. 075-01593-23-06). Measurement results were processed within the framework of state assignment of IO, RAS No. FMWE‑2024-0028.

Original russian text

Original Russian Text © The Authors, 2025, published in MORSKOY GIDROFIZICHESKIY ZHURNAL, Vol. 41, Iss. 3, pp. 379–395 (2025)

For citation

Svergun, E.I., Zimin, A.V., Motyzhev, S.V., Lunev, E.G., Tolstosheev, A.P. and Volikov, M.S., 2025. Measuring the Characteristics of Short-Period Internal Waves Using an Array of Drifting Thermoprofiling Buoys. Physical Oceanography, 32(3), pp. 392-407.

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