2MHz Channel Added to Acoustic Zooplankton Fish Profiler

With its selection for inclusion in the US Ocean Observatories Initiative (OOI) in 2014, ASL’s Acoustic Zooplankton Fish Profiler (AZFP) is becoming the global standard for autonomous scientific multi-frequency echosounders. A 2MHz channel has been added to its product, which already includes 38, 70, 125, 200, 455 and 769kHz. This high-frequency, short-range channel is aimed at studies involving sediment and small zooplankton.

The cabled single frequency 2MHz transducer (image) has a nominal beam angle of 7 degrees at -3dB matches the other high frequency AZFP channels, suited for multiple-frequency studies.

The ASL AZFP is a tool for scientific research and environmental monitoring in oceans, lakes and rivers. The AZFP contributes to obtaining reliable measures of marine environmental conditions in the water column. Using onboard data storage, the AZFP can collect data continuously for periods of up to one year at high temporal and spatial resolution and is available with up to four frequencies. It can be operated in bottom‐mounted, upward-looking mode, on a glider, or in downward looking mode from a buoy, and is ideally suited for taut‐line mooring operation, but many other options are available. The AZFP has configurable sampling programmes.

Image: 2MHz single-frequency transducer.