Journal of Tropical Oceanography ›› 2022, Vol. 41 ›› Issue (3): 54-74.doi: 10.11978/2021066CSTR: 32234.14.2021066

• Oceanographic Research and Observation • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Review on the application of underwater gliders for observing typical ocean phenomena

YANG Shaoqiong1,2,3(), CHENG Dan1, CHEN Guangyao1, LUO Chenyi1, NIU Wendong1,2,3(), MA Wei1,2,3, FA Shuai3   

  1. 1. Key Laboratory of Mechanism Theory and Equipment Design of Ministry of Education, School of Mechanical Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300350, China
    2. Qingdao Institute for Ocean Engineering, Tianjin University, Qingdao 266237, China
    3. The Joint Laboratory of Ocean Observing and Detection, Pilot National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology (Qingdao), Qingdao 266237, China
  • Received:2021-05-28 Revised:2021-09-27 Published:2021-10-09
  • Contact: NIU Wendong E-mail:shaoqiongy@tju.edu.cn;niuwendongtj@163.com
  • Supported by:
    National Natural Science Foundation of China(11902219);National Natural Science Foundation of China(52005365);Marine S&T Fund of Shandong Province for Pilot National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology (Qingdao)(2018SDKJ0205)

Abstract:

As a buoyancy-driven autonomous underwater observation platform, the underwater glider has characteristics of sustainability, robustness and autonomy. It is one of the important underwater vehicles to construct an ocean observation technology system. In this paper, the underwater glider's development history, operation mode and special sensors are introduced in detail. Based on the oceanographic literature at home and abroad, the application of underwater gliders for observing typical marine phenomena is summarized. The characteristics of the underwater glider, such as stability, long duration, high resolution, and low cost, meet the needs of long-time and carefully stereoscopic observations of mesoscale eddies, internal waves, turbulence, boundary flows, and fronts. The robustness and autonomy make it adapt to severe ocean conditions, such as typhoons, earthquakes and crude oil leakage before and after. The characteristics of stable operation and low noise also make it a good platform for acoustic monitoring and detection. Through comparative analysis and research on the application status of the underwater glider (networking) at home and abroad, we conclude that the sensor, data processing system and networking of the domestic underwater glider need to be further improved. Finally, we summarize and look forward to the application of underwater gliders for observing ocean phenomena at home and abroad.

Key words: underwater glider, ocean phenomenon, observation and detection, sensor

CLC Number: 

  • P715