2016 Ocean Sciences Meeting

February 21-26

Understanding ocean processes requires observations over a broad range of temporal and spatial scales, and motivates using mobile platforms capable of operating over these scales.  Furthermore, an increased demand exists for platforms that can collect co-registered data and samples throughout the vertical water column including the seafloor and air-sea interface, thereby enabling us to understand coupling between all ocean realms.  While gliders and Lagrangian floats are used in most oceans, except in ice-covered seas where results are rarer, their capabilities can be complemented by other mobile assets.  Examples include autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) capable of short duration but sensor rich observations, as well as emerging technologies -- e.g., long-range AUVs suitable for long-duration studies, hybrid ROVs capable of providing high-resolution observation and intervention capabilities in regions traditionally difficult to access, and ice-tethered profilers in the ice-covered oceans. This session seeks to bring together scientists and technologists to (1) report science  successes with these platforms; (2) demonstrate emerging capabilities (e.g., sensing, sampling, platforms, communications, autonomy, long range navigation); and (3) highlight challenges and opportunities for improved ocean observations.  Communications of field results with these systems are encouraged including preliminary results of potentially high-impact systems and science.