Der bewegte Planet: Wie Elemente unser Klima formen | Doku HD | ARTE
Our Glass Pressure Housing: How We Contribute to the Study of the Gulf Stream
A recent ARTE documentary offers a fascinating look inside the Ocean Technology Lab at the University of Miami, where preparations are underway for a scientific expedition focused on the Gulf Stream, one of the most important ocean currents on Earth. The goal of the research is to better understand how the Gulf Stream is changing due to climate change, and what consequences this might have for coastal regions such as Miami or the Bahamas. It is already clear that a weakening or shifting Gulf Stream could contribute to rising sea levels and more frequent flooding events in these areas.
At the center of this research is a specialized measuring instrument known as a Pressure Inverted Echo Sounder (PIES). This device is anchored to the seafloor and records both the bottom pressure and the acoustic travel time of a signal sent through the water column. From this, key physical properties such as temperature, salinity, and density distribution can be determined. These data are essential for understanding the dynamics of the Gulf Stream and how changes in its flow affect regional sea level.
To ensure such a sensitive instrument can operate reliably at great ocean depths, it must be housed in a highly durable and pressure-resistant enclosure. This is where pressure-resistant glass housings, like those manufactured by us at Nautilus Marine Service GmbH. These spheres are designed to protect sensitive measurement equipment from the extreme conditions found thousands of meters below the ocean surface.
The expedition featured in the documentary relies exclusively on physical sensors, such as temperature, pressure, and current meters. The measurement buoy is therefore optimized for precise, long-term monitoring. Our glass spheres are specifically developed for such applications, enabling researchers to collect complex data reliably, even under extreme oceanographic conditions.
We are proud that our glass housings play a role in such significant scientific efforts. With every pressure-resistant sphere we deliver, we help ensure that researchers around the world can gain a deeper understanding of the effects of climate change, whether in Florida, the North Atlantic, or other key regions of the global ocean.
Der bewegte Planet: Wie Elemente unser Klima formen | Doku HD | ARTE