An autonomous turbulence measurement platform

Turbulence measurements in a shallow-water ocean environment using Florida Atlantic University´s 2.2m long autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) are described. Two high-wavenumber shear probes and a pitot tube, housed in a pressure-vessel mounted on the nose of the AUV, allow measurements, in the dissipation range, of all three components of velocity. Salinity, temperature, mean velocity gradients and possible body vibrations are monitored using auxiliary local probes. The AUV allows surveying 3-5 mile square regions at a speed of 3-4 knots. Preliminary measurements in shallow water off the east coast of Florida are presented