10
March
2016
|
16:35 PM
America/Chicago

UHD Students and Faculty Participates in Seatronics Event

Predator remotely operated vehicle collecting data from the seafloor that can be used as the basis for management decisions. Predator remotely operated vehicle collecting data from the seafloor that can be used as the basis for management decisions.

On Feb. 19, Dr. Alex Barnard, a geoscience adjunct, organized a marine geology demonstration with Seatronics in which an underwater craft explored the depths of the White Oak Bayou at UHD.

To explore the deepest depths of the bayou floor and conduct marine surveys, participants utilized geophysical tools, including an underwater mobile device called a Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV). They demonstrated the utility of ROV-based acoustic technology for high-resolution underwater imaging in the low-visibility water.

Dr. Barnard said, "The Seatronics remotely operated vehicle demonstration at UHD allowed students unprecedented access to advanced marine technology and raised awareness of the potential to launch scientific investigations of the bayou from the UHD campus."

The demo, which took place near the Willow Street Pump Station dockside, was organized to initiate a groundswell of interest in marine science by providing opportunities for engagement in high-impact research from the shore; and close proximity of UHD with the dockside provides staff and students a chance to gain valuable hand-on experience with STEM-relevant advanced-marine technologies.

"I thought the Seatronics demonstration was extremely informative," said UHD student Daniel Estes. "I was pretty amazed at how clearly the sonar picked up various items in the bayou while visibility was basically zero. The hands-on experience was especially beneficial as it allows you to observe from a different perspective and have a new appreciation for the science of it."

In addition to those mentioned, participants included Philip Lyons, department chair in natural sciences; Jeffrey Martz, professor in natural sciences; Ajay Singh, lecturer in natural sciences; Donald Musselwhite, lecturer in natural sciences; Jonathan Snow, University of Houston professor in earth and atmospheric sciences; and several UHD students, Adaobi Ugbana, Ricky Munoz and Ruth Schenau, to name a few.