Advancing atmospheric drone measurements for the Great Barrier Reef's climate resilience

These advanced drones are essential for observing and measuring lower atmospheric conditions in areas like reef lagoons, which are too low for aircraft and too high for land-based measurements, where field trials of marine cloud brightening and fogging technologies are conducted each summer.

Under the leadership of Associate Professor Daniel Harrison, Southern Cross University is exploring innovative technologies to protect and restore the Great Barrier Reef as part of the Reef Restoration and Adaptation Program’s Cooling and Shading Subprogram.

Interventions include creating shade with clouds during high-risk periods for coral bleaching to block the intensity of the sun which can make ocean temperatures unusually high. Cooling and shading techniques represent a deliberate attempt to temporarily alter the environment of coral reef ecosystems to relieve stress.

Back to the drones and their superior quality as instrumentation platforms. The Cooling and Shading team has equipped high-tech drones with aerosol particle sizing and counting devices. These sensors are invaluable for in situ monitoring of atmospheric conditions and aerosol dynamics above the reef.

The drones fly through, above, and below the salty mist and low-lying clouds, taking atmospheric measurements in the surrounding area.

PhD candidate Christian Eckert is focusing on sea spray entrainment and meteorological conditions measured by drones above the Great Barrier Reef for his thesis.

He is also tackling the challenges of drone propeller turbulence affecting sensor accuracy. Optimal aerosol sampling requires precise sensor placement to minimise measurement bias.

To overcome this problem, Christian consulted Southern Cross University experts and industry partners to develop a novel 'full body' scan of two drones to determine the optimal position to attach atmospheric measurement devices.

Think of it as the equivalent of a human CT scan for drones.

"This project aims to improve the accuracy of aerosol sampling using drones," Christian said.

"Accurate computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations require precise geometrical data of drones and their components, which drone manufacturers often do not provide.

"So I joined forces with Dr Feifei Tong, a fluid dynamics expert at Southern Cross University, along with Synergy Group and FARO to create our own geometrical data for our drones at the Gold Coast campus."

Using advanced 3D scanning techniques, detailed geometrical models of the drones and their propellers were created.

"I plan to use CFD simulations and experimental data to find the best position for an aerosol inlet on two drones, minimising bias from the rotor blades."

The raw scan data is now post-processing with FARO RevEng Software to produce highly accurate 3D models of the drones and propellers.

"I look forward to the outcomes of this initiative contributing to the broader field of atmospheric science," Christian said. 

Special thanks to:

• Don Kuruppu: Field Applications Engineer at FARO Technologies, a global leader in 3D measurement and imaging solutions
• Patrick O'Connor and Ubaldo Donatini: Sales and support at Synergy Group, a distributor for FARO products and software in Australia
• Feifei Tong: Senior Lecturer and fluid dynamics expert at Southern Cross University

Learn more about Christian Eckert’s research on atmospheric measurements with drones

Drone-Based Measurement of the Size Distribution and Concentration of Marine Aerosols above the Great Barrier Reef doi.org/10.3390/drones8070292

Exploring Meteorological Conditions and Microscale Temperature Inversions above the Great Barrier Reef through Drone-Based Measurements doi.org/10.3390/drones7120695

Reef Restoration and Adaptation Program

The Cooling and Shading Subprogram is led by Southern Cross University as part of the Reef Restoration and Adaptation Program.

The Reef Restoration and Adaptation Program is funded by the partnership between the Great Barrier Reef Foundation and the Australian Government’s Reef Trust. It is delivered by a collaboration between the Australian Institute of Marine Science, the Great Barrier Reef Foundation, CSIRO, The University of Queensland, QUT, Southern Cross University and James Cook University.

About the Reefs and Oceans Cluster

The Reefs and Oceans Research Impact Cluster at Southern Cross University works with industry, government and communities to leverage the ecological, environmental, economic, and cultural value of our precious marine environments.