Development of an Improved Fiber Optical Back Scatter Instrument for Measuring Sediment Suspension and Concentrations

University Of Washington, Seattle WA

Investigators

Abstract

This Major Research Instrumentation award to University of Washington supports the development of a fiber optic back scatter instrument, FOBS-2, which will be used for research in near-bottom sediment transport. The instrument will provide closely spaced, accurate measurements of suspended sediment concentration near the bottom in high energy, near-shore environments, providing a significant improvement over existing capabilities. The present award will support system design, fabrication of two instruments, and testing in both laboratory and field settings. The instrument design will be made available to other researchers, and University of Washington will also build instruments for other research groups.