Measuring the Coastal Currents of Blackpool: How to

1. Where is Blackpool?

Blackpool is a renowned seaside resort on England's northwest coast, along the Irish Sea. Its proximity to the sea has been the cornerstone of its growth and provided it with a rich and long history with the sea. Just as much as the sea has influenced the economy of this town, so has it distinctively characterized the culture of the town and the way of life of the people of the town. The town is extremely rich in history. The town grew from a tiny fishing village to become one of the UK's most popular seaside resorts. Blackpool's architecture is a lively mixture of modern and traditional architecture. There are elegant Victorian buildings at the town's centre. They possess lavish facades, roomy bay windows, and quality ironwork, oozing nostalgia and sophistication. The legendary Blackpool Tower, inspiration of the Eiffel Tower, is a town's signature landmark. Contemporary attractions, hotels, and entertainment centers have sprouted in the promenade and town. Some of the amenities that they provide include cutting-edge amusement parks, modern hotels, and cafes that serve millions of vacationers who flock to Blackpool every year.

The people of Blackpool have a long tradition of an affinity with the sea. Even though fishing has declined in significance since its peak, the character of the town itself is closely tied with the sea. The beaches are a great attraction, and they are visited by both the locals and the visitors. They sunbathe, swim, and engage in other water sports. The promenade is filled with shops offering classic seaside fare such as fish and chips and ice cream. The sea also serves as the backdrop for most of the town's events and festivities, such as the annual illuminations that attract visitors from far and near.

Blackpool beaches and water are essential to the local environment. The Irish Sea waters in the area are home to a diverse range of marine life. Seals are regularly spotted in the waters, and seabirds such as gulls, terns, and cormorants are common. The sea bed is also topographically complicated, consisting of sandy patches, occasional rock outcrops, and submarine channels. These structures not only support a very high level of biodiversity but also add significantly to the water flow.

2. What's the Status of the Coastal Currents Off Blackpool?

The coastal currents around Blackpool are controlled by several factors. One of the main factors is tidal forces. The Irish Sea has semi - diurnal tides, meaning there are two high tides and two low tides in a day.

The tide amplitude is variable, and the ensuing tidal currents can reach speeds of 2 - 3 knots at some locations, particularly near the mouths of small inlets or where the coastal geometry is extremely sharp. At high tide, water rushes landward, carrying with it nutrients and sediments from the open ocean. This fertilizes the surrounding sea environment, creating nourishment and habitat for numerous sea organisms. At low tide, the ocean withdraws and the intertidal areas are left uncovered, with small crabs, sea anemones, and other seaweeds.

Wind is a further important parameter. Prevailing south-westerly winds can drive surface waters ashore, reinforcing the coastal currents. The winds also create waves that interact with the currents, producing a still more intricate pattern of flow. The northerly winds can push the water offshore.

The form of the coast, with its bays and headlands, and the individual nature of the Lancashire coastline, causes the currents to converge and diverge at different locations. Submerged rocky outcrops and sandbars further complicate the structure of the currents. These will create either a barrier or a channel, diverting the flow of water and creating areas of still or troubled water. Moreover, the input of freshwater from local small streams can influence the current patterns locally. The freshwater, being less dense than saltwater, creates a layer on the surface and moves towards the sea, interacting with the wind- and tidal-induced currents.

3. How to Observe the Blackpool Coastal Water Flow?

Surface Drifting Buoy Method

Surface drifting buoys are an inexpensive and simple way to track the surface - level currents near Blackpool. These buoys have GPS or satellite - based trackers. Once deployed in the ocean, the surface currents carry them. The researchers track their movement over time. By observing the trajectory of the buoy, they can approximate the direction and velocity of the surface waters.

But the technique is only applicable to the top few meters of the water column. It may not be representative of what is occurring in the deeper waters, where the currents may be different because of factors such as changes in temperature and salinity.

Moored Ship Method

In the moored ship technique, a ship is moored at a fixed point off Blackpool's coastline. Current-measuring instruments like electromagnetic current meters are then employed. These instruments are able to record the current of the water at different depths. They provide an accurate vertical profile of the current direction and velocity. However, it is for a single point alone. Furthermore, the presence of the ship itself can actually interfere with the natural direction of the water. The hull of the ship and the way it is moored can introduce turbulence into the water, which can lead to inaccuracies in measurement.

Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler (ADCP) Method

ADCPs have transformed how coastal currents around Blackpool are measured. ADCPs are able to measure the velocity profile of the whole water column from the sea surface to the bottom. ADCPs employ sound waves for non-intrusive measurement of the water flow. They emit acoustic pulses and observe the Doppler shift of the backscattered signals from particles in the water, for example, sediment, plankton, or small bubbles. They then infer the current velocity at various depths. This provides a detailed explanation of the current structure and is thus very well adapted to investigating the intricate coastal current patterns surrounding Blackpool.

4. What's Needed for High-Quality Measurement of Blackpool Coastal Currents?

Equipment Material Reliability

For high - quality measurement of the coastal currents near Blackpool, the reliability of the equipment materials is crucial. The casing of the ADCP profiler should be made of a material that can withstand the harsh marine environment of the Irish Sea. Titanium alloy is an excellent choice. Its high strength allows it to resist the impact of strong water currents, potential collisions with floating debris, and the corrosive nature of seawater. Its low elastic modulus provides flexibility, reducing the risk of damage from mechanical stress. Moreover, its outstanding corrosion resistance ensures that the ADCP flow meter can be deployed in the water for long-term monitoring without significant degradation.

Compact Size, Light Weight, Low Power Consumption, and Low Cost

A compact and lightweight ADCP current profiler is easier to install and operate. You can place it on a small research vessel, attach it to a buoy, or set it on the seabed. It also has less impact on the natural water flow, leading to more accurate measurements. Low power usage is critical for long-term self-sustaining observation, particularly if battery-driven systems are to be used. Low-cost ADCP makes large-scale deployment possible. This is crucial in order to fully understand the intricate coastal current dynamics surrounding Blackpool. Having additional ADCPs placed in other locations, we can better discern how the currents change throughout the region.

5. Selection of Suitable Equipment for the Measurement of Currents

Usage Basis

• Shipborne ADCP: Ideally for recording real-time current data along the path of a ship near Blackpool. Can be used in oceanographic surveys, examination of the general circulation pattern within the area, and in shipping route optimization, if any, for the region.
• Bottom-mounted ADCP: Suitable for long - term, fixed - point monitoring of the currents at the seabed. This is valuable for studying long - term trends in the coastal currents, such as the impact of climate change on the local marine ecosystem.
• Buoy-mounted ADCP: Suitable for observing surface- level currents across a broad region as the buoy moves with the water. It assists in gaining insight into the spatial variability of the surface currents and how the coastal waters engage with the open Irish Sea.

Based on Water Depth

• 600kHz ADCP: Suitable for water depths of around 70m, which are the relatively shallow waters along Blackpool.
• 300kHz ADCP: Suitable for water depths of around 110m, which are useful for slightly deeper water sections in the Irish Sea close to the town.
• 75kHz ADCP: Designed for deep - water applications. Even though the waters near Blackpool are generally not extremely deep, it can be used for studies related to the deeper-layer currents or for areas with deeper channels, capable of measuring currents at depths of up to 1000m.

There are several well-known ADCP brands in the global market, such as Teledyne RDI, Nortek, and Sontek. For those seeking a cost-effective option, the China Sonar PandaADCP, made of all-titanium alloy, offers a great balance of quality and price. You can learn more about it at (https://china-sonar.com/).

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