Acoustic Doppler Current Meters for Ocean Research

Northumbria University is procuring 7 Single-Point Acoustic Doppler Current Meters to support the Drivers of Oceanic Change in the Amundsen Sea (DeCAdeS) project. These specialized oceanographic instruments measure ocean currents, water movement direction, and acoustic backscatter data at fixed depths along mooring systems deployed beneath and around Antarctic ice shelves. The meters provide continuous, long-duration, high-precision measurements of hydrodynamic conditions in extreme polar environments, enabling researchers to understand ocean-ice shelf interactions and track ice evolution. The successful supplier demonstrated technical compliance with scientific specifications, reliability, and compatibility with existing project infrastructure. Suppliers should note: equipment must function in harsh Antarctic conditions, integrate with mooring frameworks, enable long-term autonomous data collection, and support real-time or delayed data retrieval. Strong engineering support and proven oceanographic instrument experience are essential.