Ocean Outfall Mapping Using an Autonomous Underwater Vehicle

Abstract

Ocean outfalls are difficult to observe and the traditional monitoring methods are expensive and can only provide limited information. As an alternative, Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs) have proved to be an effective tool for outfall mapping. This paper describes an outfall mapping mission by the MUN Explorer AUV off the east coast of Canada. A submerged freshwater outfall with Rhodamine WT dye was discharged into a bay and the MUN Explorer AUV equipped with a fluorometer was used to measure the dye concentration and the extent of the dispersed plume. The results have shown that the AUV can be effectively used to map the outfall and future work is needed to provide more detailed plume information.