Use of the Texas A and M Deep Towed Pumping System in the Gulf of Mexico Aboard the Research Vessel GYRE during Cruise 77-G-14, 3-7 December 1977.

摘要

The Texas A and M University deep towed pumping system is an apparatus designed to tow a fish-like body containing a pump and a CSTD (conductivity, salinity, temperature and depth) probe at depths down to 150 meters, while the towing vessel is underway at full speed. This survey unit has the capability of pumping eight liters per minute of sea water to analytical equipment on deck while simultaneously measuring the salinity, temperature and depth at which the towed body is deployed. An on-deck data acquisition system and controlling computer automatically record the CSTD data and provide real-time results that can be used in determining the cruise track or the specific area to be surveyed. This system was deployed on R/V GYRE Cruise 77-G-14 (3-7 December 1977) to test recent modifications, as well as to determine the reliability and usefulness of a towed pumping system for oceanographic research in surface waters. The mechanical system operated reliably and the towed CSTD data was recorded automatically. Sample water pumped from depths down to 108 meters in the Gulf of Mexico was analyzed for salinity, dissolved oxygen, phosphate, silicate and nitrate. The towed pumping system results compared favorably with the data from hydrocasts taken before and after and towed samples were taken. Temperature profiles taken with the towed CSTD were instrumental in pointing out a malfunction in the shipboard XBT recorder system.