Engineering a Smartfin for surf-zone oceanography

Philip J. Bresnahan, Tyler Cyronak, Todd Martz, Andreas Andersson, Shannon Waters, Andrew Stern, Jon Richard, Katherine Hammond, John Griffin, Benjamin Thompson

Research output: Contribution to book or proceedingConference articlepeer-review

10 Scopus citations

Abstract

The surf-zone presents unique challenges and opportunities for observational oceanography. Physical and biogeochemical signals change quickly in and around breaking surface waves due to high magnitudes of momentum and mass transfer. Autonomous instruments can be challenging to deploy in this energetic zone. We are developing the Smartfin, a surfboard fin capable of measuring geolocated ocean chemistry data to enable surf-zone observations via a new citizen/surfer science initiative. The Smartfin collects GPS, temperature, and motion data; modules for measurements of pH, dissolved oxygen, and chlorophyll fluorescence are in development. The fin is used by citizen/surfer scientists with a goal of distributing over one hundred Smartfins in California in 2017 and rapidly expanding across the country and the world in coming years.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationOCEANS 2017 � Anchorage
PublisherInstitute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc.
Pages1-4
Number of pages4
ISBN (Electronic)9780692946909
StatePublished - Dec 19 2017
EventOCEANS 2017 - Anchorage - Anchorage, United States
Duration: Sep 18 2017Sep 21 2017

Publication series

NameOCEANS 2017 - Anchorage
Volume2017-January

Conference

ConferenceOCEANS 2017 - Anchorage
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityAnchorage
Period09/18/1709/21/17

Keywords

  • biogeochemistry
  • citizen science
  • coast
  • internet-of-things
  • near-shore
  • surf-zone
  • temperature

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Engineering a Smartfin for surf-zone oceanography'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this