State of Technology in Autonomous Underwater Gliders

Abstract Over the last few decades, a range of instruments and vehicles have been used to monitor the oceans. One example is the use of autonomous underwater vehicles to perform ocean surveys, and within this group, autonomous underwater gliders have made their mark. Gliders enable the scientist to make extended complex studies on topics such as the effect of metals, pesticides, and nutrients on fish abundance, reproductive success, and ability to feed or on contaminants such as chemicals or biological toxins that are transported in particulate form and may become incorporated into living organisms (plankton, bivalves, and fish) or become deposited in bottom sediments. With these vehicles, the scientist or environmentalist can detect hazardous substances in the ocean such as chemicals from an oil spill or toxic algae such as red tide.