ADCP's Application in the Measurement of Ocean Currents at Coatzacoalcos Port

1. Where is Coatzacoalcos Port?

Coatzacoalcos Port is located in southeast Veracruz, south-central Mexico. It is located at the mouth of the Coatzacoalcos River at the Gulf of Campeche, at the Isthmus of Tehuantepec's narrowest point. This positions it strategically well. It is a vital transportation hub, connecting central Mexico and the Yucatán Peninsula. It is conveniently connected to the interior by the main highway from Mexico City and a trans-isthmian railway coming from the Pacific on southeastern Oaxacan Salina Cruz. This connection ensures the unhindered movement of products to and from the port and is hence a central element in Mexico's chain of commerce.

Size of Port and Throughput

The Coatzacoalcos Port is medium in size but of mixed uses. It comprises multiple berths, which handle diverse ships. It has berths for cargo ships, among others, with which it takes high amounts of cargo. The throughput of the port on an annual basis is considerable, primarily handling the export of petroleum products that are refined in Minatitlán, 13 miles (21 km) to the south. The products are delivered to the port through pipeline and river for export. In addition, the port also handles and exports local agricultural produce such as tropical fruits, forestry, and some manufactured products, promoting the economic growth of the region.

Shipping Routes and Business

Coatzacoalcos Port shipping operations serve both domestic and foreign destinations. Shipping vessels go back and forth between Coatzacoalcos and Mexican ports, such as Veracruz and Progreso. There are also international shipping services daily to the United States, Europe, and other places in the world. In a commercial sense, the port is involved in the processing of general cargo, which includes container and bulk cargo loading and unloading. It has contemporary warehousing facilities to aid in commodities storage and distribution. The port is also engaged in the regional fishing industry since some of the fishing boats make use of the port for unloading their harvest.

Port Management and Operation

Managed by the local port authority, Administración Portuaria Integral de Coatzacoalcos, S.A. de C.V., the port focuses on security, efficient flow, and conformity to international shipping practices. The management also has the responsibility to maintain the port infrastructure, that is, the quays, berths, and storage houses. They have strict safety protocols for all ships calling at the port. The port authority also has the responsibility of maintaining environmental policies, especially relating to the loading and discharge of petroleum products and waste disposal. They work with shipping organizations, freight forwarders, among other stakeholders in order to maximize the use of the ports.

Port Facilities

Coatzacoalcos Port also possesses a range of facilities. There are well-maintained jetties and berths on which ships are able to berth safely. Cargo-handling facilities, ranging from cranes with different capacities for loads, exist to handle various commodities. There are storage areas, ranging from general cargo warehouses to petroleum product special storage. There are also refueling stops to fuel vessels, and certain small ship - repair centers. For the fishing industry, there are basic fish - handling facilities.

Waterways and Direct Navigation

The waterways around Coatzacoalcos Port are well maintained, and the port also has a well-marked channel for safe navigation. Navigational aids like buoys are present to guide ships into and out of the port. It has direct access to the Gulf of Campeche, allowing ships to travel to their destinations easily. The Coatzacoalcos River and pipeline system to Minatitlán are major transportation routes for the cargo handled at the port.

2. Why Ocean Currents in Coatzacoalcos Port Must be Measured

Safety of Navigation

An understanding of ocean currents in Coatzacoalcos Port is important for the safety of navigation. The wind, tides, and sea circulation-driven general patterns of current in the Gulf of Campeche can have the potential to play a great role in influencing ship movement. Since the ships are coming to or leaving the port, or are sailing at sea for trade or fishing, the ocean currents may change their direction and velocity. The ship operators measure the ocean currents and make decisions, change course, and avoid collisions or dangerous accidents, especially in the event of storms or hurricanes, which are common for the region.

Port Operation Optimization

Ocean currents data can significantly assist in streamlining port operations. For instance, when ships are coming in or leaving, the direction and power of the current can be used to plan the most effective time and manner of operation. This can be time- and effort-saving as well as reduce damage to ships. Fishing nets and gears can also be influenced by currents during fishing activities. Understanding these parameters can improve the efficiency of fishing activities.

Environmental Protection

Ocean current measurements play a significant role in environmental protection in the port basin. The Gulf of Campeche has a fragile marine ecosystem. Ocean currents help in pollutant dispersion, e.g., oil spills by vessels or wastes of fishing and industrial activities. If any contamination is occurring, with an understanding of prevailing trends, they can expect to where the pollutants will be propagating. This results in environmental managers having timely information with which to clean and preserve the marine environment.

The Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler (ADCP) can be a valuable instrument for measuring ocean currents for Coatzacoalcos Port, with good-quality data for navigation in a safe way, smoother port operations, and conservation.

3. How ADCP Works According to the Doppler Principle?

Principle of Measurement

ADCP current meter functions based on the Doppler effect. By launching an acoustic pulse into the water column, sound waves encounter suspended particles in the water, such as sediment or small aquatic creatures. Because these particles move with the water current, the frequency of return of sound waves to the ADCP differs from the transmitted frequency emitted. ADCP measures this frequency change and records the Doppler shift. The Doppler equation enables the instrument to calculate the velocity of the water current at different depths of the water column.

Detailed Methods for Monitoring Ocean Currents within the Port

• Ship-based ADCP: A ship-based ADCP can be mounted on a cargo ship or even a small research ship. Since the ship makes its way across the waters inside and outside the Coatzacoalcos Port, the ADCP current profiler can log the speed of the current at different depths of the ship as it moves across the route of the ship. This helps towards gaining a broad-scale picture of the existing situation in the port and surrounding Gulf of Campeche areas.
• Fixed ADCP: Fixed ADCPs are placed on the seabed near the port or on fixed structures like jetties. Fixed ADCPs continuously record the currents at a given location over a prolonged period. They can also provide information about the variation of the currents with time, and it is appropriate for long-term planning and familiarity with the local sea environment.

4. What Does It Take for High-Quality Ocean Current Measurement in Coatzacoalcos Port?

Equipment Reliability

To obtain high quality measurements of ocean currents in Coatzacoalcos Port, the ADCP device must be highly reliable. There are not constant weather conditions in the Gulf of Campeche, as it has high winds, large waves, and the risk of tropical storms. The ADCP must be able to endure such harsh conditions without frequent malfunction. Trustworthy devices ensure consistent data acquisition, and this is essential to obtain dependable analysis and decision - making.

Size, Weight, and Power Consumption

The ADCP flow meter needs to be light and compact, especially for deployment on small vessels or where space is limited. Low power usage is also important, as the majority of ships and fixed-installation locations may not have space for a high-power supply. This allows for long-term operation of the ADCP, either using batteries or a small generator.

Cost-effectiveness

Since Coatzacoalcos Port is a medium port, the cost of ADCP meter for it should not be excessive. A low-cost ADCP can be afforded by the port authority or local fishermen. If necessary, multiple units can be purchased to monitor multiple areas around the port, providing a wider overview of the ocean currents.

Material Selection

The ADCP profiler casing is more suited to be built with corrosion-resistant materials, such as stainless steel or a specialized alloy. It is very simple for the salty and corrosive Gulf of Campeche conditions to ruin equipment. With the use of corrosion-resistant materials, the ADCP can last for a long period in the ocean environment.

5. How to Choose the Right Equipment for Ocean Current Measurement?

According to Use

• Ship-borne ADCP: It is appropriate for obtaining a large - scale overview of the current situation in the port and surrounding sea areas. If a ship must rapidly determine the current situation while in transit, a ship-borne ADCP is an appropriate option.
• Sit-on-bottom ADCP: Applicable for long-term monitoring purposes of a specific location of the harbor, e.g., entrance or traffic route.
• Buoy-mounted ADCP: It can be utilized to supply data at the water surface, especially in cases where mounting of an ADCP on the bottom is difficult.

Based on Frequency Selection

• In case of the relatively shallow waters that encompass the port (usually less than 50m), an ADCP with 600kHz or higher frequency will provide more accurate measurements. The high - frequency ADCPs are better in measuring in shallow waters since they can be more descriptive of the surface-proximate currents.

There are various ADCP brands available. When choosing an ADCP for Coatzacoalcos Port, the specific needs of the port must be considered, including the dimensions of the vessels, the nature of operations, and the budget. Some of the recognized brands have quality products, but local suppliers may also provide cheap products that can be used by Coatzacoalcos Port operations. If you need a cost-effective one, all-titanium alloy China Sonar PandaADCP is a great balance of price and quality. You can see more about it at (https://china-sonar.com/).

Here is a table with some well known ADCP instrument brands and models.