EPSONDE
A Epsonde is an instrument used to measure turbulence in the deep ocean. Epsonde is a tethered free-fall profiling system used to obtain temperature microstructure and velocity turbulence data to a depth of at least 1500 m. Epsonde, which carries a variety of slow and fast sensors, is deployed on a loose kevlar multiconductor cable by a specialized wire-handling system. Data are transmitted from this underwater unit (1792 samples per second) to a shipboard system, which includes a dedicated microcomputer for data logging and online data processing. The performance of this system is demonstrated by discussing a study of turbulent mixing processes in a lens of Mediterranean water (a MEDDY) found at a depth of 1000 m in the Canary basin. These studies indicate that turbulent kinetic energy dissipation may be an important mechanism in determining the decay and lifetime of a MEDDY. Additional information available at "http://ieeexplore.ieee.org/xpl/abs_free.jsp?arNumber=566" [Summary provided by IEEE Xplore]
Profilers/Sounders