Marine Physics and Field Operations Laboratory
Marine physics is one of the major disciplines within ocean sciences and focuses on the physical and dynamic properties of seas, oceans, and other water bodies such as lakes, reservoirs, and associated environments. Measurements of physical water parameters, hydrodynamic properties, meteorological parameters, and selected biological and chemical parameters are carried out in this field. Air–sea interaction studies and numerical modelling of various oceanographic phenomena, from very small scales to large-scale processes, are also conducted.
Achieving these objectives requires specialized instruments and equipment, most of which are available at the Marine Physics Laboratory of the Iranian National Institute for Oceanography and Atmospheric Science. The Marine Physics Laboratory consists of a central laboratory in Tehran and laboratories located at the research stations in Chabahar, Bandar Abbas, Bushehr, and Nowshahr.
Laboratory and Workshop Activities
Equipment preparation, calibration, and technical support before and after field operations
Preparation and Laboratory Control of Measurement Equipment
A range of laboratory activities is carried out before field operations. These include equipment preparation, calibration of instrument sensors, verification and review of sensor coefficients, as well as preparation of equipment and accessories required for field operations.
Measurement of Parameters During Field Operations
Preparation of solutions required for sensors of instruments such as CTD systems, sealing of field equipment before deployment, installation, troubleshooting, repair or replacement of failed sensors, and maintenance of other measurement components are carried out in the laboratory. Design and fabrication of frames and accessories, including instrument battery systems, as well as field operation planning, are also performed in this section.
Data Extraction, Analysis and Application
Data recorded by instruments are extracted using the dedicated software associated with each system. Various physical and marine hydrodynamic phenomena are investigated through the analysis of recorded data. Data processing and analysis are performed using statistical methods, semi-empirical methods, and filtering techniques. The measured data are also used as inputs to ocean models and for validation of numerical modelling results.
Field Operations and Ocean Monitoring
Marine physics field operations are conducted to accurately measure and record hydrodynamic and physical parameters:
Specialized Equipment and Instruments
Shallow-Water Flotation Buoy
Wave and Current Profiler
Deep-Water Flotation Buoy
CTD
Acoustic Release
Acoustic Release Transmitter
Current Meter
Tide Gauge
Weather Station
Pinger
Acoustic Positioning System
Tide and Non-Directional Wave Recorder
Temperature Sensor
