UCSD Point Loma Offshore Kelp Hydrodynamics Research

UCSD Point Loma Offshore Kelp Hydrodynamics Research

The Scripps Institution of Oceanography (SIO) at University of California, San Diego proposes to deploy an array of research/data collection instruments offshore of Point Loma, San Diego (County of San Diego) to obtain measurements to study kelp hydrodynamics for a period of 2-3 months beginning in March/April of 2022. Both bottom and surface moored instruments would collect data at a number of sites within and around the kelp beds at depths of 10-30m, to be deployed by divers arriving to the site via boat. There will be 4 instruments total: 2 profiling moorings (inshore and offshore of the kelp beds - approximate at the location of the 10 m depth isobath and at 30m depth isobath) and 2 wave measurement buoys, also inshore and offshore of the kelp. Instruments would include pressure and temperature sensors and acoustic current meters (ADCPs and ADVs with frequencies of 600kHz to 6MHz). The devices will be deployed primarily along an E-W line extending roughly between the following GPS coordinates: N32.709° W117.264° and N32.709° W117.274° The data collected will include currents, temperature, dissolved oxygen, pressure, and potenitally pH. No animal or plant species will be collected. Negligible impacts to benthic environment are anticipated as the bottom moorings are small in size and will be deployed on primarily sand or flat igneous rock substrate (not rocky reef) so ocean floor disturbance will be minimal. All instruments will be removed in their entirety following completion of the research/data collection following the 2-3 month study period.

San Diego

San Diego

Countywide