How to Measure the Coastal Currents of Kivik

1. Where is Kivik?

Kivik is a small coastal village in southern Sweden, in the province of Skåne, on the scenic shores of the Baltic Sea. Its strategic location has developed a long - standing and significant relationship with the sea, one that has been instrumental in shaping the development, economic pursuits, and lifestyle of its people.

Kivik is rich in heritage. It dates back to ancient times. Through the ages, it has grown from a primitive hamlet to a picturesque seashore village. The construction architecture of Kivik is an ideal blend of historical beauty and modern functionality. In the center, there are well-maintained old wooden houses of Swedish origin with their usual red-painted facades, steeply sloping roofs, and big, inviting windows. These structures, some of which are many generations old, give the location a warm and old-fashioned feel. The newer parts of Kivik contain contemporary buildings, which house various facilities such as local shops, cafes, and housing areas. The port area, being relatively small, contains some primary facilities including fishing piers for local fishermen and small marinas for tourist boats, allowing local fishing and boat operations.

The people of Kivik are closely related to the sea. Fishing has been a long - established vocation passed down through generations, although its scale has seen some adjustments over time. The local fishermen still venture out onto the Baltic Sea in order to capture fish species such as mackerel, herring, and other types of flatfish. The sea is also a leisure resort for locals and tourists. Sailing, windsurfing, and sports such as beachcombing and swimming are some of the most popular activities. The town hosts several small-scale sea events annually, embracing its seafaring culture and connection with the sea.

The sea bed near Kivik is a vital element of the surrounding ecosystem. The Baltic Sea around this area has an impressive variety of sea creatures. Seals can often be found on the sandy beaches and rocky outcrops, sunbathing or playing in the ocean. There are a number of fish species living in the sea, which contribute to the regional fishing industry. The seabed is topographically varied, featuring sandy patches, mudflats, and submarine channels. They all contribute a high biodiversity and play an important role in circulating the water.

2. What is the Condition of the Coastal Currents off Kivik?

The coastal currents off Kivik depend on a variety of factors:

• Tidal Forces: The tidal range of the Baltic Sea is relatively modest, typically less than 1 meter anywhere. However, in the channels and estuaries off Kivik, tidal currents can have a strong influence on the local currents. These currents may travel at a speed of 1 - 1.5 knots in some areas. At high tide, water flows towards the beach, carrying with it nutrients and sediment from the open ocean. This enriches the surrounding marine environment, nourishing and sheltering many sea creatures. When the tide is low, the water recedes, exposing the intertidal zones where small crabs, sea anemones, and different types of seaweed can be found.
• Wind Patterns: Prevalent westerly winds push the surface waters against the shore, resulting in stronger coastal currents. The winds also produce waves that interfere with the currents to create a more complex pattern of flow. Easterly winds drive the water offshore. The headlands and bays on the Skåne coast and proximity to other coastlines cause the currents to converge and diverge in several places.
• Freshwater Inputs: Although no large rivers directly flow into the sea near Kivik, small streams and land runoff could have an effect on the local current regime. The freshwater, as it is less dense than the seawater, rides over the top and flows towards the sea and is mixed with the tidal and wind - driven currents. This could affect the salinity and temperature of the coastal waters, which could, in turn, influence the current regime.

3. Monitoring the Coastal Water Current of Kivik

Surface Drifting Buoy Method

The use of surface drifting buoys with GPS or satellite-based tracking equipment is a simple and efficient way of monitoring the surface-level currents off Kivik. The surface currents carry these buoys through the water after they have been deployed. Scientists can track their movement over time and chart the course of the buoy to calculate the speed and direction of the surface waters. The method is limited to the upper few meters of the water column and may be skewed toward the deeper - layer currents, which are temperature and salinity - gradient controlled.

Moored Ship Method

In the ship-moored technique, a ship is moored at some point off Kivik's coast. Current-measuring instruments, e.g., electromagnetic current meters, are then lowered into the water. The instruments may be employed to measure the flow of water at different depths, thereby providing a fine vertical profile of the current's velocity and direction. But this method is restricted to a single point, and the presence of the ship can even disrupt the natural water flow, generating turbulence that can affect the accuracy of the readings.

Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler (ADCP) Method

ADCPs have revolutionized coastal current measurement off Kivik. The instruments can measure the velocity profile of the entire water column from the surface to the seabed. ADCPs apply sound waves to make measurements of the water flow non-intrusively. They emit acoustic pulses and monitor the Doppler shift of backscattered pulses from suspended items in the water, such as sediment, plankton, or tiny bubbles. From this, they can estimate the current velocity at different depths, giving an overall description of the current structure. This makes ADCPs well adapted to explore the complex coastal current patterns along Kivik.

4. What Does It Take for High - Quality Measurement of Kivik Coastal Currents?

Equipment Material Reliability

High - quality measurement of the coastal currents along Kivik necessitates equipment material reliability. The casing of the ADCP should be made of a material that is strong enough to withstand the rough marine environment of the Baltic Sea. Titanium alloy is a suitable choice due to its strength, which enables it to resist the pressure of strong water currents, potential impacts from floating debris, and corrosive nature of seawater. Its low elastic modulus provides it with flexibility, which protects it from mechanical stress damage. Besides, its good corrosion resistance permits the ADCP to be left in the water for long monitoring periods without significant degradation.

Small Size, Light Weight, Low Power Requirement, and Low Cost

A light and compact ADCP is easier to install and operate. It can be installed on a small research ship, hung on a buoy, or mounted on the seabed with relative ease. Such an instrument also has a lesser impact on the natural water flow, leading to more accurate measurements. Low power utilization is essential for long - term autonomous monitoring, especially with the use of battery - powered equipment. A cost - effective ADCP makes it possible to deploy large - scale, as needed for complete comprehending of the complex coastal current patterns that encircle Kivik. As more ADCPs are deployed in other regions, we will be able to better understand how the currents vary across the region.

5. How to Choose Appropriate Equipment for Current Measurement?

Based on Usage

• Shipborne ADCP: Best for collecting real - time current information along a route of a ship close to Kivik. It can be employed in oceanographic surveys, research on the general circulation of the region, and optimizing shipping routes with consideration of Kivik being a coastal settlement with some shipping activity.
• Bottom - mounted ADCP: Suitable for long - term, fixed - point measurements of seabed currents. This is applicable for studying long - term variations of the coastal currents, e.g., the impact of climate change on the local marine environment.
• Buoy - mounted ADCP: Appropriately employed to measure surface - level currents over a vast area since the buoy tracks the movement of the water. It supports the understanding of the spatial distribution of the surface currents and the exchange of coastal waters with the open Baltic Sea.

Based on Water Depth

• 600kHz ADCP: In order for depths of about 70m or shallower, providing detailed readings in comparatively shallow Baltic Sea water near Kivik.
• 300kHz ADCP: Best for depths of about 110m, but may be appropriate where a little deeper portions are present on the Baltic Sea near the locality.
• 75kHz ADCP: Ideal for deep-water use. Although the waters in front of Kivik are not necessarily deep, it can be used for operations regarding deeper-layer currents or where deeper channels exist and it can measure currents up to a depth of 1000m.

There are quite a few known brands of ADCP in the world market, e.g., Teledyne RDI, Nortek, and Sontek. Should you require one that costs less, ADCP supplier China Sonar ​PandaADCP, built from all-titanium alloy, is a good bargain of price for quality. You can learn more at (​https://china-sonar.com/).

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