Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler

Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler (ADCP) uses the Doppler effect to measure water current velocity. The Doppler effect refers to the change in observed frequency caused by relative motion. ADCP emits a fixed-frequency sound wave, and by detecting the echoes scattered back from suspended particles or plankton in the water, it calculates their horizontal velocity, which generally represents the water current speed.

Mooring-type ADCP: The new research vessel "Ocean Research 1" is equipped with 75 kHz and 150 kHz mooring ADCPs, suitable for measuring currents up to depths of 700 m and 400 m respectively, ideal for open ocean use.

WORKHORSE series ADCP: At the research center, WORKHORSE ADCPs operating at 300 kHz, 600 kHz, and 1200 kHz are available. These offer higher vertical resolution than mooring ADCPs and are used in continental shelf waters up to 200 m deep. They are suitable for mooring deployments and some models with bottom tracking can be towed, covering shallow areas such as estuaries and coastal waters within 50 m depth.

Lowered ADCP (LADCP): Two lowered ADCPs on the research vessel are paired with CTD casts. These operate at 300 kHz, with pressure housings rated for depths up to 6000 m, and are used to profile currents within that depth range.