WHOI Technical Reports
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The Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution publishes technical reports describing projects carried out by WHOI researchers. New reports are added as they become available.
Pre-1978 reports are scanned and added by request; contact the WHOAS project manager whoas@whoi.edu to have a Technical Report added.
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Technical ReportReport of the live large whale stranding response workshop(Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, 2024-11)Reasoned triage and management of live large whale stranding events prompted this workshop. Safety is paramount for humans and must be mitigated for them and whales during responses. Clinical assessment is critical, with emaciation and poor prognosis often worsening welfare if released. Accurate length and estimated weight data are essential. Supportive care and treatments depend on understanding the underlying pathophysiology of stranding. Maintaining an airway, monitoring breathing, minimizing stress, protecting eyes, modulating temperature, and preventing sunburn are priorities. Additional strategies can include mild sedation, fluid administration, and flipper excavation to relieve pressure. Tools to indicate post-release survival include photographs, genetic samples, paint sticks, and identification, VHF, or satellite-linked tags. Acceptable rescue techniques included towing offshore with a tackle or lines over or under the body and around the axillae, inflatable lift bags, and trenching. Nets and towing by the flukes are unsuitable. Refloating of stranded large whales can be considered if a clinical examination suggests a favorable prognosis, and a release method could be safely undertaken without undue stress and trauma to the animal. However, in many cases euthanasia is the most humane option if practical, or letting nature take its course if need be.
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Technical ReportCyclonic rings formed by the Gulf Stream 1965-66(Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, 1972-06)A cyclonic ring of Gulf Stream origin is defined to be a member of a special class of eddy; when the meandering Gulf Stream forms a long loop to the right of its downstream direction and the two sides of the loop, with currents flowing in opposite directions, approach each other and come in contact, a ring is formed consisting of a closed segment of the Stream revolving cyclonically around a mass of cold water detached from its former position in the slope water area to the left of the Stream. The first observations of the formation, migration and decay of such rings on seven cruises, covering the period from September, 1965, through February, 1966, are described. The two rings observed started as elliptical shapes, the long axis about 250 km, and gradually changed to circles about 110 km in diameter. The maximum surface currents, on the order of 150 cm/sec, continued strong over the five month period. The rings migrated at a rate of about 10 cm/sec, following irregular, probably anticyclonic paths with a net displacement to the SW. It is estimated that they have a life span of about 12 months. On the bases of a few crude assumptions, using average annual surface current speeds, the monthly net departure of the Gulf Stream from its mean position and a few transport values, it is estimated that from 5 to 8 cyclonic rings form per year.
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Technical ReportA digital Higgs universe and the flow of time(Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, 2024-10)Theoretically considering velocities greater than c implies considering an observer’s past and extends the overall analysis into the complex plane. By using a series of rotations by i in the complex plane at the Planck scale, one can create a four-lobed structure of “instants of time,” which together with considering matter and antimatter in the lobes and the +/- sense of the rotation, leads to a Higgs field representation of spacetime. A metric is developed for this system as well as a generalized spacetime interval. It is shown that the Friedmann Equations are consistent with our “Higgs Cosmology” if generalized to a set of gravitationally coupled equations that connect the forward and backward going solutions. Simple solutions for the forward and backward going universes are presented and are shown to be consistent with the backward solution providing both inflation and a “cosmological constant” type of dark energy. Dark matter is discussed and is separately hypothesized to be due to the mass of the four “Higgs sectors” as seen by an observer in our universe. A digital, stroboscopic and holographic universe picture emerges which can also be viewed as a beginning theory of quantum gravity at the Planck scale.
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Technical ReportForethoughts on rubber rafts : familiar and new considerations in the handling of rubber life rafts -- including drift-rate curves, facts on drogues, handling of rafts under oars and sail, raft equipment, signalling devices, and new factors in oceanography, search and rescue. Submitted for the use of ocean flyers(Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, 1944-06-15)This manual on the handling of rubber life rafts is submitted as an indicator of one type of specialized, integrated information not yet available to U.S. ocean flyers, Some of this information is new and conclusions drawn from it may considerably affect both the action of survivors in planning their raft procedure and navigation, and the action of air-sea rescue units in conducting search. Other of this information has already been collected and disseminated by various departments, bureaux, and agencies of the U.S. Armed Forces. The present manual attempts to combine both types of information and provide a more comprehensive coverage of raft problems than has as yet been made. While it is in no sense definitive and does not include the handling of all currently-issued or currently-developed types of raft (e.g., the "seatpack" one-man raft aboard small fighter planes, the large rubber sailing boat dropped to the survivors of such planes, or the excellent keel rafts still awaiting official approval and acceptance), it covers many problems common to all types and is submitted to aid in the preparation of pamphlets dealing with raft handling, raft navigation, raft equipment, aild the problems of survival and air-sea rescue.
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Technical ReportSubmesoscale Ocean Dynamics Experiment (S-MODE) Data Submission Report(Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, 2024-04)This document reviews the sampling details of the S-MODE (Submesoscale Ocean Dynamics Experiment), a NASA-funded, EVS-3 (Earth Venture Suborbital-3), oceanographic field program. It describes what measurements were collected, when and with what instruments and platforms. For each measurement platform it gives simple plots showing the basic dataset, and describes the sampling in detail. S-MODE in situ and aircraft data are available from the PO.DAAC (Physical Oceanography Distributed Active Archive Center) landing page, and individual datasets are also available at the DOIs listed in the “Data Availability” section of this report.
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Technical ReportA Higgs universe and the flow of time(Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, 2024-04)Theoretically considering velocities greater than c implies considering an observer’s past and extends the overall analysis into the complex plane. By using a series of rotations by i in the complex plane, one can create a four-lobed structure of “instants of time,” which together with considering matter and antimatter in the lobes and the +/- sense of the rotation, leads to a Higgs field representation of space and time. A 10x10 metric is developed for this system as well as a generalized spacetime interval. It is also shown that the Friedmann Equations are consistent with our “Higgs Cosmology” if generalized to a set of coupled equations that connect the forward and backward going solutions. Simple solutions for the forward and backward going universes are presented, and are shown to be consistent with the backward solution providing both inflation and a “cosmological constant” type of dark energy, Dark matter is also discussed and is hypothesized to be due to the mass of the four “Higgs sectors” as seen through the lens of relativity by an observer in our universe. A PowerPoint presentation on this work is presented at the end of the report as a supplement.
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Technical ReportBight Fracture Zone Experiment: Moored Instrument Data Report, July 2015 - July 2017(Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, 2024-04)This document describes the steps used for the initial processing of the Bight Fracture Zone mooring data, collected between July 2015 – July 2017. The data were collected using SBE MicroCATs and Nobska MAVS- 4 Acoustic Current Meters. The initial processing for both the MicroCAT and MAVS-4 consisted of removing data collected while out of water, replacing data outliers with NaNs, and correcting drifts in the data. In addition, the MAVS-4 data were transformed from instrument coordinates to earth coordinates and magnetic declination was correction was applied.
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Technical Report2018 program of studies: sustainable fluid dynamics(Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, 2024-02-09)The 2018 GFD Program theme was Sustainable Fluid Dynamics with Professor Andrew Woods of the University of Cambridge serving as principal lecturer. Andy showed the audience in the cottage and on the porch how to find similarity solutions everywhere, from deep in the earth to high in the atmosphere. He expanded on his lectures with the fellows during “Andy time”, and stayed on throughout the summer to participate in the traditional debates on the porch with participants old and new. Andy also contributed enthusiastically to the supervision of the fellows, particularly when there was an opportunity to squirt food dye into an experiment.
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Technical ReportOxygen isotopic analysis of two cores from the Vema Channel, southwestern Atlantic Ocean : an evaluation of the method and results(Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, 1976-03)The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of oxygen isotopic analysis in establishing a late Pleistocene stratigraphy in two cores (CHN 115-88 and CHN 115-89) from the Verna Channel. Glacial and interglacial stages and stage boundaries in the two cores were identified, based on fluctuations in the 018 curves obtained by analysis of bulk foraminiferal assemblages. The position of the Brunhes/Matuyama boundary near the base of both cores provided an estimate of average accumulation rates of 0.94 cm/103 years in core 88, and 0.86 cm/103 years in core 89. The δ 018 curve for core 88 indicates a continuous stratigraphic record of glacial and interglacial stages as far back as stage 20; stages in core 89 are identifiable as far as stage 12. Stratigraphic interpretation within the top portion of the cores is somewhat uncertain, possibly due to disturbed or missing sediment. variability in accumulation rates down-core, and the possibility of missing coretop sediment, contribute to the uncertainty in stage designations. The degree of variability of accumulation rates within cores 88 and 89 may be estimated by assuming a constant sedimentation rate, and then comparing the "time scale" of the stage boundaries with that of Shackleton and Opdyke (1973). The results indicate that oxygen isotopic analysis of bulk foraminiferal assemblages can provide reliable interpretations in some instances where analysis of monospecific assemblages is not possible. Analysis of monospecific assemblages, however, will be required for more precise and reliable paleoclimatic interpretations.
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Technical ReportSeamounts near the eastern coast of North America(Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, 1955-04)The chain of seamonts known as the New England Seamonts was examined. Bathymetry from six cruises in this region was contoured and a discussion of errors provided. Remains of calcareous algae in rocks dredges from the tops of two of the seamounts indicate that the seamounts have subsided more than 4,000 feet. Isostatic adjustment of a small seamount does not explain the subsidence, therefore it is suggested that much of this subsidence might be attributed to squeezing-out of plastic sediment from beneath the base of the seamounts or possibly that the sedimentary apron from the continent has spread seaward and caused the continental slope to become depressed.
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Technical ReportMarine mammals of the Pacific with particular reference to the production of underwater sound(Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, 1949-07)The present report is concerned with one of the oceanic biology subjects designated by the Navy for investigation. In compliance with the assignment the objective has been (1) to assemble, analyze and where possible correlate with environmental factors, available information from Pacific waters, and (2) upon completion of this work to prepare recommendations for further field research designed to fulfill Navy requirements. A proposed program will be presented in a separate report. Considerable interference encountered by underwater acoustic gear is now known to be of biological origin. In coastal areas, especially along coral and rocky shores, much background noise can be attributed to fish (Fish, 1948) and invertebrates (Johnson et al., 1947). But beyond the influence of land there are certain characteristic sounds which have repeatedly been associated with marine mammals. Numerous visual observations of whales and porpoises coincident with the reception of such sounds have been made, and the charting of Submarine Patrol records (Charts VII to X, pages 56 to 59) reveals that all similar unidentified contacts have occurred within the known seasonal and geographical range of common marine mammals.
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Technical ReportThe Northwest Tropical Atlantic Station (NTAS): NTAS-21 Mooring Turnaround Cruise Report Cruise On Board RV Ronald H. Brown JOctober 6-25, 2022 Bridgetown, Barbados – Bridgetown, Barbados(Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, 2022-12)The Northwest Tropical Atlantic Station (NTAS) was established to address the need for accurate air-sea flux estimates and upper ocean measurements in a region with strong sea surface temperature anomalies and the likelihood of significant local air–sea interaction on interannual to decadal timescales. The approach is to maintain a surface mooring outfitted for meteorological and oceanographic measurements at a site near 15°N, 51°W by successive mooring turnarounds. These observations are used to investigate air–sea interaction processes related to climate variability. The NTAS Ocean Reference Station (ORS NTAS) is supported by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Global Ocean Monitoring and Observing (GOMO) Program (formerly Ocean Observing and Monitoring Division). This report documents recovery of the NTAS-20, the final mooring of the NTAS time-series. The NTAS moorings use Surlyn foam buoys as the surface element. These buoys were outfitted with two Air–Sea Interaction Meteorology (ASIMET) systems. Each system measures, records, and transmits via satellite the surface meteorological variables necessary to compute air–sea fluxes of heat, moisture, and momentum. The upper 160 m of the mooring line were outfitted with oceanographic sensors for the measurement of temperature, salinity, and velocity. The mooring recovery was done by the Upper Ocean Processes Group of the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) and Drew Cole, onboard R/V Ronald H. Brown, Cruise RB-22-04. The cruise took place between October 6 and 25 2022. Other operations during the cruise consisted of the intercomparison between ship and NTAS buoy measurements, turnaround of Meridional Overturning Variability Experiment (MOVE) subsurface mooring array, CTD casts, and four Argo floats deployments. MOVE is designed to monitor the integrated deep meridional flow in the tropical North Atlantic. This report describes these operations.
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Technical ReportAcoustic properties of mud bottoms(Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, 1944-12-06)In Reference A and Reference B, it has been pointed out that the acoustic properties of bottoms classified as MUD on the present Bottom Sediment Charts appear to vary greatly. The present memorandum is divided into two parts . Part I summarizes the acoustic information obtained over MUD bottoms that is in the files of the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution. Part II discusses the factors that apparently control the acoustic behavior of MUD bottoms and considers the probability or predicting successfully the acoustic behavior of any mud from a study of these related factors.
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Technical ReportThe Northwest Tropical Atlantic Station (NTAS): NTAS-20 Mooring Turnaround Cruise Report Cruise On Board RV Pisces November 4-28, 2021 Newport, RI - Pascagoula, MS(Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, 2021-11)The Northwest Tropical Atlantic Station (NTAS) was established to address the need for accurate air-sea flux estimates and upper ocean measurements in a region with strong sea surface temperature anomalies and the likelihood of significant local air–sea interaction on interannual to decadal timescales. The approach is to maintain a surface mooring outfitted for meteorological and oceanographic measurements at a site near 15°N, 51°W by successive mooring turnarounds. These observations are used to investigate air–sea interaction processes related to climate variability. The NTAS Ocean Reference Station (ORS NTAS) is supported by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Global Ocean Monitoring and Observing (GOMO) Program (formerly Ocean Observing and Monitoring Division). This report documents recovery of the NTAS-19 mooring and deployment of the NTAS-20 mooring at the same site. Both moorings used Surlyn foam buoys as the surface element. These buoys were outfitted with two Air–Sea Interaction Meteorology (ASIMET) systems. Each system measures, records, and transmits via satellite the surface meteorological variables necessary to compute air–sea fluxes of heat, moisture and momentum. The upper 160 m of the mooring line were outfitted with oceanographic sensors for the measurement of temperature, salinity and velocity. The mooring turnaround was done by the Upper Ocean Processes Group of the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI), onboard R/V Pisces, Cruise PC-21-07. The cruise took place from November 4 to 28, 2021. The NTAS-20 mooring was deployed on November 12, and the NTAS-19 mooring was recovered on November 13. Limited inter-comparison between ship and buoys were performed on this cruise. This report describes these operations and the pre-cruise buoy preparations. Other operations during PC-21-07 consisted of one CTD cast near the Meridional Overturning Variability Experiment (MOVE) subsurface mooring array MOVE 1-14. MOVE is designed to monitor the integrated deep meridional flow in the tropical North Atlantic.
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Technical ReportTwo types of lenses for deep underwater photography(Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, 1942)In underwater photography, the object is immersed in water while the image is usually formed in air. The most obvious, straightforward way to form an image under these circumstances with a conventional type of lens is to use a plane parallel slab of glass as a window in front of the lens to separate the water from the air space. For most types of camera lenses, this is a perfectly adequate solution; But if one looks at the problem carefully, it is evident that such a system introduces a chromatic aberration referred to as lateral color. The source of this aberration is illustrated in Fig. 1. The dispersion at the glass to air interface overcompensates for the dispersion at the water to glass interface. As a result, the direction of a ray entering the camera lens for any given ray incident on the window varies with the wavelength of light.
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Technical ReportSummary of bathythermograph observations from the western North Atlantic : October 1940 - December 1941(Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, 1942-11-05)The range of submarine detection is frequently limited by the refraction produced by vertical temperature gradients in the superficial layers of the ocean. In order to measure these temperature gradients and thus to permit predictions of the range, the bathythermograph was developed and is now being used on a considerable number of anti-submarine vessels, while a somewhat modified version of the instrument is being tried out on submarines. Some 6675 bathythermograph observations from the western North Atlantic have been examined in order to determine how frequently such observations should be made so that within practical limits and anti-submarine vessel may at all times know the assured range of its sound gear. The occurrence of the four basic types of refraction patterns is shown by a series of six charts. For all but one of these patterns the range can be rather quickly and easily estimated from simple tables; but when the so-called afternoon effect is encountered, which is on the average about 20% of the time, a more complete analysis is necessary. It is found that under the most unfavorable circumstances, that is, in mid-summer and near the edges of a strong current system, there is about one chance in three that the refraction pattern will chance significantly in a distance of four miles. At other times of year and in areas where horizontal variations in temperature are less pronounced a single bathythermograph observation can be considered representative of a much larger area. It is also shown that in the western North Atlantic about 92% of the time in summer and about 34% of the time in winter the assured range of submarine detection is limited by refraction to less than 2500 yards.
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Technical ReportPreliminary report on the prediction of "Afternoon Effect"(Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, 1942-07-25)With moderate or light winds and a clear sky the diurnal heating which occurs near the sea surface can cause a serious reduction in the range of submarine detection, especially on shallow targets. This has usually been called the “afternoon effect", although as will be noticed below the ranges often remain short long after sun down. The heating of surface waters which causes such sharp downward refraction can of course be noted on a bathythermograph record, provided pen vibration does not confuse the upper part of the trace. Unfortunately it is the upper 20 or 30 feet of a bathythermograph curve which in the case of ships moving faster than 12 knots is often somewhat difficult to read with sufficient certainty. Moreover, in planning a days operations it is clearly desirable to know in advance how much reduction in range may be expected from diurnal warming.
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Technical ReportPerformance of bathythermograph with hand winch(Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, 1942-05-05)On May l, 1942 a series of towing tests were made off New London to determine how satisfactory a small hand operated winch would be. The boat was an 83 ft. Coast Guard patrol boat with the end of the boom about 3 feet outboard and 15 feet forward of the stern. Towing tests were made at 8, 12, and 18 knots. At 18 knots two methods were tried: A. Those where the BT was dropped from the end of the boom in the usual manner. B. Those where the BT was dropped from the bow of the boat. This method gave a considerably greater depth of water for the same amount of wire out than the former method. In a longer boat where the BT can be carried 100 to 150 ft. ahead of the boom this additional depth may amount to 100 feet.
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Technical ReportInstructions for installing pressure-temperature recorder(Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, 1942-01-21)Instructions for installing pressure-temperature recorder including location of parts on the submarine and the general description of the apparatus. The instrument is composed of two main elements: a) the pressure-sensitive element; and b) the temperature-sensitive element.
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Technical ReportA slide rule for computing supersonic ray diagrams from bathythermograph data(Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, 1941-11-05)This report, and the accompanying slide rule were prepared by the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution for the National Defense Research Committee.