Marine Heat Flow Measurement

Research vessel (RV) Investigator. Image: AuScope

The Marine Heat Flow Measuring System (MHFMS) project aims to develop a method for measuring heat flow in ocean-floor sediments aboard Australia's Marine National Facility vessel, the RV Investigator, and the Australian Antarctic Division's icebreaker, the RSV Nuyina.

Overview

Led by Professor Jo Whittaker, Dr Jacqueline Halpin from The University of Tasmania, and Dr Maria Seton from The University of Sydney, this project focuses on acquiring and deploying advanced marine temperature and thermal conductivity loggers. Collaboration with the Marine National Facility (MNF) ensures integration of the equipment onto RV Investigator, with future deployment planned for RV Nuyina. The project includes equipment procurement, workflow development, system trials, and subsequent dissemination of findings through conferences and publications.

The Challenge

Obtaining heat flow measurements in offshore Antarctic regions is challenging due to ice cover, resulting in a lack of data in these critical areas. MHFMS addresses this challenge by developing a method to conduct heat flow measurements in marine environments.

Expected Outcomes

Key outcomes include:

  • The Acquisition and successful deployment of a Marine Heat Flow system on RV Investigator or RV Nuyina. This new system will enhance our understanding of marine geothermal heat flow and its role in climate change processes, thereby improving monitoring and managing geohazard risk in aquatic environments.

  • Presentation of the system's capabilities at key conferences and events.

  • Creation of standardised documentation for equipment and dataset creation. Business continuity is critical in R&D to enable future researchers to conduct research functions unabated, including protecting datasets and minimising project risks in the future.

Who will benefit

Scientists, policymakers, and environmental managers will benefit from MHFMS by gaining valuable insights into marine geothermal heat flow and its implications for climate change and geohazard risk. Additionally, the project will contribute to the broader scientific understanding of marine geological processes.

Access

  • Access Requirements: Once RV Investigator or RV Nuyina is validated, the Marine Heat Flow system will be available to other users through MNF's existing externally supplied equipment mechanism. Interested parties can request equipment availability through established institutional channels.

  • Dissemination: Findings, protocols, and datasets will be made accessible through MNF and potentially AAD platforms, ensuring transparency and broad access for the research community.

 
 

Project Name
Marine Heat Flow Measurement

Project Lead

Timeframe
2023-2025

Status
Complete

Funding
AuScope Pilots 3

Partners
CSIRO
The University of Tasmania

AuScope Programs

Acknowledging AuScope

This project was made possible by support from the National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy (NCRIS) through AuScope. Acknowledging AuScope and NCRIS helps us demonstrate the value of shared research infrastructure, ensuring continued support and resources for the research community.

If you helped deliver this project or have benefited from its outputs, please credit AuScope so we can include your work in our impact reporting. For examples of acknowledgment, please visit our ‘How to Acknowledge AuScope’ page.

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EISGuest UserPilot 3, Complete