Determination of sea bottom temperature variations and their effect on underwater data recorder electronics

Abstract

A study has been conducted to evaluate the temperature variations in the sea bottom off the coast of Georgia (USA). Underwater data recorders, comprising a part of the sensors used in a US Navy degaussing system, contained an internal electronics compartment and a receiver integrated circuit that were highly sensitive to temperature variations. Subsequently, a study was conducted to determine if such temperature differences would compromise the functionality and reliability of these components. This paper addresses the technique used to estimate the sea bottom temperature changes using various models and a Rule of Mixtures approach for determination of key properties such as thermal diffusivity.