Validation and application of low-cost wave buoys for monitoring a range of nearshore coastal hazards
Dr Michael Cuttler1, Dr Jeff Hansen1, Prof Ryan Lowe1, Dr Camille Grimaldi1, A/Prof. Daniel Ierodiaconou2, Prof Ian Young3
1The University Of Western Australia, Perth, Australia, 2Deakin University, Warnambool, Australia, 3The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
Wave observations are critical in both coastal and deep water and feed into applications including improving ocean forecasting, industry activities, marine safety, and recreational ocean activities. Wave buoys are typically the most robust method to collect in situ wave observations, particularly when real-time data is required, however they have historically been expensive to purchase and operate. With the advent of low-cost and small-format Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) based wave buoys (e.g. Sofar Spotter), the ability to collect wave observations across a wider range of locations is feasible at a much lower cost. However, understanding the performance and behaviors of small-format GNSS buoys (e.g. spectral response and mooring effects), against more traditional accelerometer-based platforms, is critical to inform their use across applications. Here, we focus on comparing the Sofar Spotter to Datawell Waverider (Mark 3 and 4) buoys which are commonly deployed in operational networks globally. Instead of comparing processed products (e.g. spectral statistics produced by the buoys’ onboard software), we begin our analysis with the buoy displacement time series directly to ensure consistency. We also assess the detailed spectral properties/moments and the GNSS buoy performance in different conditions (locations), and with different mooring configurations. In addition to wave observations, Sofar Spotters and the newly developed ‘smart-mooring’ present opportunities to monitor additional ocean parameters. We will also present a comparison of Spotter and ‘smart-mooring’ derived surface temperatures with common satellite-derived sea surface temperature products along the entire stretch of Western Australia to assess their ability to track thermal events (e.g. marine heat waves).
Biography:
Dr Michael Cuttler is a Research Fellow within the Oceans Graduate School and Oceans Institute at the University of Western Australia. His research focuses on nearshore processes, including nearshore hydrodynamics and coastal morphodynamics over a range of a time (individual storm events to interannual/decadal scale processes) and spatial scales (individual beaches to regional coastlines). To study these processes, he relies on observational data (in situ instruments, fixed cameras, drones, satellites) as well as numerical modelling. His current research projects span the Western Australian coastline from the South Coast to the Pilbara.
