ADCP's Application to Ocean Current Measurement in Carboneras Port

1. Where is Carboneras Port?

Carboneras Port is located on the southeastern coast of Spain. It is a medium-sized port that serves the local community and regional trade.

Port Scale and Throughput

The port has average productivity. It deals primarily with fishing-related activities, processing the catch of local fishing fleets. Besides this, it also handles small cargo consignments such as construction material and supplies for the local area. The annual volume of goods passing through is not very large as in major international ports, but it is important to the local economy.

Routes and Business

The Carboneras Port is a vital base for local fishing vessels. These vessels operate in the surrounding waters, following fishing routes influenced by the local oceanographic conditions and the distribution of fish stocks. It also has some trade links with nearby ports to exchange essential goods. As for business, it focuses on the fishing industry, including fish processing and distribution, and also provides services such as boat repair and maintenance.

Port Management and Operation

The management is mainly concerned with safety and efficient running of fishing activities. It ensures that port facilities are in proper condition to accommodate the landing and unloading of fishing vessels. The operation includes managing the waste produced as a result of fishing activities, following environmental legislations to prevent degradation of the marine environment in the local area.

Port Facilities

The port is equipped with fishing - specific facilities such as fish - unloading docks, ice - making plants for preserving the catch, and storage areas for fishing gear. There are also basic cargo - handling equipment to deal with the small - scale cargo shipments. For boat repair, there are workshops and docking facilities to service the fishing vessels.

Channel and Direct Navigation

Carboneras Port has a channel permitting the fishing boats and small cargo ships to access the sea; navigation within this area is relatively easy. It requires proper navigational aids like buoys and lights so that it is able to guide vessels, at least at times of low-light conditions or even in adverse weather conditions.

2. Why should we measure the ocean currents in the Carboneras port?

Measuring ocean currents in Carboneras port is an important issue. To fishermen, who represent the whole backbone of the economy in this port, current knowledge helps them to find fish more effectively. Many species of fish tend to gather where currents bring nutrients and food sources. The direction and speed of the currents will be helpful for the fishermen in predicting where the fish are likely to be, thus enabling them to plan their fishing trips more efficiently.

These currents are relevant to port operations concerning the docking and undocking of fishing boats and small cargo ships. Currents will affect maneuverability of the vessels; precise current measurements allow better deployment of tugboats-if needed-to assist in safe docking. In addition, the information about ocean currents is useful in a long-term perspective while planning port infrastructure. These currents may give rise to erosion or sedimentation in the area of the port and thus, with the measurement, the authorities may take necessary precautionary measures for the protection of the port structures. Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler(ADCP) offers a more advanced and efficient current measurement technique than that of the traditional ones. It can provide real - time and accurate data which is highly valuable for the dynamic and challenging environment of the Carboneras port.

3. How do ADCPs using the principle of the Doppler work?

The working of an ADCP is based on the Doppler principle. The device sends acoustic pulses into the water. When these pulses interact with particles in the water-plankton, sediment, or other suspended matter-the frequency of the reflected sound waves changes due to the movement of such particles.

This frequency difference is measured by the ADCP. Using the Doppler equation, it works out the velocity of the particles related to the water current's velocity. An ADCP measures the current velocity at more depth intervals within the water column to return a vertical profile of the current.

Ship - borne ADCP

When a ship - borne ADCP is used, it is mounted on a fishing boat or a small cargo ship. The vessel travels in the port area or in the nearby waters while the ADCP continuously sends and receives acoustic signals. The data from these voyages give a general view of the current patterns in the different parts of the port and the surrounding sea.

Fixed ADCP

Fixed ADCPs are mounted at strategic locations within the port, on the seabed close to the docks, or at the entrance of the channel. The ADCPs give one-point current real-time continuous measurement. These can be used in monitoring long-term current trends affecting daily operations of the facility and stability of the infrastructure at the said facility.

4. What is required for the good quality measurement of the currents at Carboneras port?

The equipment should be made of reliable materials for high-quality current measurement in the port of Carboneras. Since seawater is very corrosive and it is out in the open, the material shall be resistant. A small-sized ADCP will be preferred to enable easy installation, especially in the relatively compact facilities in the port and on fishing boats.

The weight of the ADCP must be light, to simplify the manipulation and lighten its load on installation structures. Consuming low power is another basic factor. Especially in a place like Carboneras, where probably the power supply from fishing boats would be limited, an ADCP can be used there for continuous use with low power consumption. Regarding cost, each port may wish to deploy many units for more complete current measurements.

The casing of the ADCP would preferably be in the alloy of titanium. The corrosion resistance property in the metal alloy makes it particularly suited to the marine environment. Besides this, it has high strength along with being light, thus meeting two criteria: it will be durable, and installation will be hassle-free.

5. How to Choose the right equipment for current measurement?

Based on Usage Purpose

Ship-borne ADCP: This would be fitted to fishing boats and small cargo ships that are moved around the port area and waters, thus giving a mobile means of measuring currents, useful in understanding the overall current patterns as the vessel travels.

Bottom-mounted ADCP: It is ideal for fixed-point monitoring near the docks, the channel entrance, or other critical areas of the port. It gives a continuous record of current conditions at a specific location and is important for safety and operation of the port.

Buoy-based ADCP: It can be employed in locations where the installation of fixed-bottom or ship-borne ADCPs is not convenient. It provides a floating option for current measurement and can cover areas in the open water of the port.

Based on Frequency

The choice of frequency depends on the water depth. A 600kHz ADCP will suit the water depth of up to 70m in Carboneras port, which could work in the more shallow waters around the shore or innermost areas of the port. A 300kHz ADCP is suitable for water depths of up to 110m and will be able to cover a broader range of depth. For deeper waters within the port area, a 75kHz ADCP can function in water to a depth of 1000m, but can be used further from the harbour out into the approach channels.

There are well - known ADCP brands like Teledyne RDI, Nortek, and Sontek. However, a Chinese brand, China Sonar PandaADCP, is also a great option. It is made of all - titanium alloy material, providing excellent durability and a high level of corrosion resistance. It also offers an attractive cost - performance ratio. You can visit their website (https://china-sonar.com/) for more details.

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