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An Image-Based Method for Measuring Black Smoker Discharge I am currently
developing a seafloor camera system to determine flow rates through black smoker
hydrothermal vents using image analysis. Because black smoker fluids are typically
very hot (> 360 C), acidic, and are precipitating minerals as they mix with
seawater, it is not possible to obtain long time-series measurements of discharge in
these systems using invasive flow measurement techniques. The system I am now
developing is based on optical plume velocimetry, an optical flow technique using
intensity data in the time direction.
The instrument
under development will soon provide important constraints on the fluxes of fluids,
heat, and chemicals through black smoker vents, and may help define and
understand the links between mechanical processes such as tidal loading and plate
tectonics, and other processes such as subseafloor biological productivity.The device I am now building is based on theory that I developed using video sequences of simulated black smoker flows in the laboratory with known discharge rates. To read more about the laboratory and theoretical work, please see my paper published in Experiments in Fluids, or see this poster (726 kB PDF). Additional FilesBelow is a sample movie showing a simulated black smoker in action.
You can also download a ~1 MB Quicktime movie here. |
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Last Updated: 16 September 2010. |