scholarly journals Designing a Diving Protocol for Thermocline Identification Using Dive Computers in Marine Citizen Science

2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (11) ◽  
pp. 2315 ◽  
Author(s):  
Salih Egi ◽  
Pierre-Yves Cousteau ◽  
Massimo Pieri ◽  
Carlo Cerrano ◽  
Tamer Özyigit ◽  
...  

Dive computers have an important potential for citizen science projects where recreational SCUBA divers can upload the depth temperature profile and the geolocation of the dive to a central database which may provide useful information about the subsurface temperature of the oceans. However, their accuracy may not be adequate and needs to be evaluated. The aim of this study is to assess the accuracy and precision of dive computers and provide guidelines in order to enable their contribution to citizen science projects. Twenty-two dive computers were evaluated during real ocean dives for consistency and scatter in the first phase. In the second phase, the dive computers were immersed in sufficient depth to initiate the dive record inside a precisely controlled sea aquarium while using a calibrated device as a reference. Results indicate that the dive computers do not have the accuracy required for monitoring temperature changes in the oceans, however, they can be used to detect thermoclines if the users follow a specific protocol with specific dive computers. This study enabled the authors to define this protocol based on the results of immersion in two different sea aquarium tanks set to two different temperatures in order to simulate the conditions of a thermocline.

Author(s):  
ALAN DEIDUN ◽  
MONICA PREVIATI ◽  
ALESSIO MARRONE ◽  
ADAM GAUCI ◽  
AUDREY ZAMMIT ◽  
...  

The genus Pinna includes two species in the Mediterranean Sea: Pinna nobilis and Pinna rudis. Both these species are under threat from multiple stressors. Pinna nobilis, in particular, has been exhibiting mass mortality events (MMEs) since 2016. The population and distribution of these species have never been comprehensively explored in the Maltese archipelago, and in this work, we collate information collected between 2006 and 2019 through a number of SCUBA underwater visual census monitoring programs. The logistical barriers surrounding SCUBA-based sampling techniques and the low-density distribution of these species constitute significant obstacles to  an extensive conventional population assessment. Citizen science was thus also deployed in this study to supplement the data collected through SCUBA surveys: recreational SCUBA divers worked as citizen scientists, providing data on the distribution of these two endangered species from areas never explored before. This information can be used for assessing the conservation status of P. nobilis and P. rudis in Maltese waters, whilst contributing to the next generation of ocean-literate citizens.


2019 ◽  
Vol 48 (3) ◽  
pp. 224-248
Author(s):  
Pablo N. Zitelli ◽  
Gabriel N. Curtosi ◽  
Jorge Kuster

ABSTRACT Tire engineers are interested in predicting rolling resistance using tools such as numerical simulation and tests. When a car is driven along, its tires are subjected to repeated deformation, leading to energy dissipation as heat. Each point of a loaded tire is deformed as the tire completes a revolution. Most energy dissipation comes from the cyclic loading of the tire, which causes the rolling resistance in addition to the friction force in the contact patch between the tire and road. Rolling resistance mainly depends on the dissipation of viscoelastic energy of the rubber materials used to manufacture the tires. To obtain a good rolling resistance, the calculation method of the tire finite element model must take into account temperature changes. It is mandatory to calibrate all of the rubber compounds of the tire at different temperatures and strain frequencies. Linear viscoelasticity is used to model the materials properties and is found to be a suitable approach to tackle energy dissipation due to hysteresis for rolling resistance calculation.


1993 ◽  
Vol 27 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 187-193
Author(s):  
T. Haider ◽  
R. Sommer ◽  
G. Stanek

Recent studies described the acute diffuse external otitis frequently observed in recreational scuba-divers and swimmers in the tropics. In this study the microflora of the external auditory canal of 90 persons was determined. Additionally, a group of 17 persons was examined before, during and at the end of a two weeks vacation on a tropical coral island as well as three months after. Further, samples from sea, lagoon water and the water supplies used for the showers were microbiologically examined. 14 different and fecultatively pathogenic microorganisms were isolated from the external auditory canals. We found a temporary colonization with those microorganisms during the two weeks. Above all Pseudomonas aeruginosa was predominant during and at the end of the vacation especially in children. Before the vacation and three months after P. aeruginosa could not be found. The samples of sea and lagoon waters did not seem to be noticeably polluted, whereas the samples of the water supply were extremely contaminated with Pseudomonas aeruginosa. It was concluded that besides indirect factors such as tropical climate and intensive exposition to water, the insufficient treatment of the water from the supply could also be a reason for the temporary microbiological colonization of the external auditory canal.


Diversity ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (7) ◽  
pp. 309
Author(s):  
Rhian A. Salmon ◽  
Samuel Rammell ◽  
Myfanwy T. Emeny ◽  
Stephen Hartley

In this paper, we focus on different roles in citizen science projects, and their respective relationships. We propose a tripartite model that recognises not only citizens and scientists, but also an important third role, which we call the ‘enabler’. In doing so, we acknowledge that additional expertise and skillsets are often present in citizen science projects, but are frequently overlooked in associated literature. We interrogate this model by applying it to three case studies and explore how the success and sustainability of a citizen science project requires all roles to be acknowledged and interacting appropriately. In this era of ‘wicked problems’, the nature of science and science communication has become more complex. In order to address critical emerging issues, a greater number of stakeholders are engaging in multi-party partnerships and research is becoming increasingly interdisciplinary. Within this context, explicitly acknowledging the role and motivations of everyone involved can provide a framework for enhanced project transparency, delivery, evaluation and impact. By adapting our understanding of citizen science to better recognise the complexity of the organisational systems within which they operate, we propose an opportunity to strengthen the collaborative delivery of both valuable scientific research and public engagement.


1999 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 47-54
Author(s):  
Jacalyn J. Robert

Recreational sport diving is becoming an increasingly popular sport for women. Women now comprise approximately 25% of the diving community according to Divers Alert Network statistics. In the diving literature it has been stated that women are at a greater risk for decompression sickness than men. Most of these statements were derived from high-altitude (hypobaric environment) studies rather than from a scuba diving (hyperbaric) environment. Data from the naval diving and salvage training center were analyzed, and it was found that women are not more susceptible to decompression sickness than men during dives between 4 and 10 atmospheres. More specific studies on sport diving should be completed on factors contributing to underwater decompression sickness in both men and women.


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