August 14, 2010 at 12:08 pmFiber collects climate data
Oceanographers asked telecommunication companies to use existing and failed submarine communication channels to collect climate data.
According to scientists from the University of Sydney, voltmeters are simple enough to connect to cable platforms to measure the speed of ocean currents by the electromagnetic current that they generate. Installation of each voltmeter will cost no more than $ 3000.
Even more information about salinity and seismology can be collected by connecting sensors to relay boxes, which are usually installed every 100 km to amplify the signal.
As for old and unused channels, scientists suggest moving them to “scientifically significant” places. The transfer cost is estimated at $ 2,000 per kilometer of cable.
Since submarine cables have remained in place for decades, they can become a reliable and ongoing source of scientific data for researchers. And telecoms themselves can earn extra profit by selling this data.
Australian scientists have already obtained the consent of Singtel and Telstra to use their fiber optic links in the Indonesia region to study currents between the Pacific and Indian Oceans. But the dream of oceanographers is to create a global network of underwater sensors to collect maximum information about currents and monitor the oceans in almost real time.
According to scientists from the University of Sydney, voltmeters are simple enough to connect to cable platforms to measure the speed of ocean currents by the electromagnetic current that they generate. Installation of each voltmeter will cost no more than $ 3000.
Even more information about salinity and seismology can be collected by connecting sensors to relay boxes, which are usually installed every 100 km to amplify the signal.
As for old and unused channels, scientists suggest moving them to “scientifically significant” places. The transfer cost is estimated at $ 2,000 per kilometer of cable.
Since submarine cables have remained in place for decades, they can become a reliable and ongoing source of scientific data for researchers. And telecoms themselves can earn extra profit by selling this data.
Australian scientists have already obtained the consent of Singtel and Telstra to use their fiber optic links in the Indonesia region to study currents between the Pacific and Indian Oceans. But the dream of oceanographers is to create a global network of underwater sensors to collect maximum information about currents and monitor the oceans in almost real time.