Data recovery from Drake Passage Antarctica

In late December 2008 POL scientists and engineers were busy in the Drake Passage Antarctica recovering data pods from the sea-bed. A pod was successfully released from MYRTLE (Multi Year Return Tidal Level Equipment, for more info see below) almost 3000m down on the sea-bed. MYRTLE has been on the sea-bed for three years now and this was the first 'recoverable' capsule to be recovered. This adds to our very sucessful 20th year anniversary Drake Passage trip having already recovered Drake North Bottom Pressure Recorder and deploying again at Drake North and Drake Middle, and a short while after recovering the MYRTLE pod we sucessfully recovered Drake South and re-deployed a Bottom Pressure Recorder there too.

Drake Passsage MYRTLE deployment

Recovery of data capsule

More about MYRTLE

MYRTLE stands for Multi Year Return Tidal Level Equipment. It is a POL invention which is a Bottom Pressure Recorder (BPR) that can be deployed for up to 5 years. This long term data set provivides stable, regular samples from a constant position and so help to identify long term effects not identified from more irregular measurement techniques. While storing the data on the main frame, a copy of the data is also 'transmitted' using infra red, to 4 releasable pods which can be recovered at periodic intervals. Each will contain the entire data set up to the time of release. When the main frame is recovered there will be a complete data set stored on the main system.

MYRTLE has has two sucessful 4 year deployments, from 1992 to 1996 and from 1999 to 2003. It was re-designed and re-deployed in 2005 at the Southern end of Drakes Passage. The cruise on board RRS James Clark Ross saw the sucessful recovery of the first 'recoverable' data capsule.

BPR attracts local interest.

Recovery safely on board

The Proudman Oceanographic (POL) scientific research focuses on oceanography encompassing global sea-levels and geodesy, numerical modelling of continental shelf seas and coastal sediment processes. This research alongside activities of surveying, monitoring, data management and forecasting provides strategic support for the wider mission of the Natural Environment Research Council.

As a public funded body it is part of our remit to inform the public of the science and research undertaken at the laboratory. Attending events like the 'Ocean Awareness Weekend' at the Blue Planet Aquarium offers the opportunity for our scientists to meet members of the public and present the laboratory's work.

The Natural Environment Research Council is one of the UK's eight Research Councils. It uses a budget of about £ 350m a year to fund and carry out impartial scientific research in the sciences of the environment. NERC trains the next generation of independent environmental scientists. It is addressing some of the key questions facing mankind, such as global warming, renewable energy and sustainable economic development.