Thermoprofilemeter for Measuring the Vertical Temperature Distribution in the Upper 100-Meter Layer of the Sea and its Testing in the Arctic Basin

Abstract

The paper describes the technical and methodological aspects of development of an experimental sample of a distributed temperature sensor. The thermoprofilemeter is created for Arctic studies of the thermal near-surface structure of marine environment, including vertical temperature profiles, detection of thermocline and internal waves. The temperature-sensitive part of the sensor built on the basis of continuous spatially modulated conductors measures 48 m. The spatial-averaged resolution is 1.5 m. The sensor can be used in static and dynamic measurement modes, including sounding and towing. Control of the depth of the measuring part is carried out using hydrostatic pressure sensors located at the ends of the sensor. The specialized software provides the display with measuring information in the form of instantaneous temperature profiles as well as in the form of the dynamics of temperature isolines with reference to depth and time, in telemetric mode and during post-processing. The calculated isolines provide automatic control of the spatial vertical displacement of the thermocline, and the amplitude and period of internal waves. An experimental sample of the device was used in Arctic studies in 2021.

Keywords

• distributed temperature sensor
• thermoprofilemeter
• isotherm
• heat storage
• thermocline
• internal waves
• temperature field
• heat exchange
• termistor chain