AUV System Spec Sheet

UBC Gavia configuration

Platform: Gavia
Manufacturer: Teledyne Gavia
Scientific User: University of British Columbia

Summary

UBC-Gavia is currently capable of measuring the following parameters as she travels: chlorophyll and fluorscein dye fluorescence (Wetlabs Eco-BB3), water temperature and salinity (SBE Fastcat CTD), and velocity (using two RDI-ADCP, one up and one downwards facing), as well as acoustic (RDI-ADCP) and optical (Wetlabs Eco-BB3) backscatter. In order to put these measurements in context with what is occurring at the lake bottom, UBC-Gavia uses a high-frame rate, high-digital-resolution, colour camera with a strobe light system, as well as a side-scan sonar. The ability to measure all of these parameters simultaneously while maintaining fixed elevation above bottom provides an unprecedented opportunity to map the near-lakebed (benthic) environment. This allows for the creation of acoustic and photographic mosaics of lakebeds, over which would be superimposed maps of water properties measured by UBC-Gavia’s in situ sensors. This aggregate of information would reveal patterns of lakebed characteristics in conjunction with near lakebed water properties at the basin scale.