Scientists in a recent breakthrough have turned to sharks for better hurricane predictions and potential intensity of a hurricane before making landfall.
The researchers from the University of Delaware are carrying out the experiments to determine whether sharks can be helpful in observing real-time ocean data through sensors.
These sensors can measure ocean conditions to deliver information to oceanographic, atmospheric and climate models. Speaking about the features of small CTD tags attached to marine creatures, these are small electronic devices which can measure not only temperatures, depth but also electrical conductivity.
Aaron Carlisle, principal investigator and a professor in the university’s School of Marine Science and Policy, “Animal-borne sensors have been used successfully by oceanographers for years, particularly on elephant seals in polar regions where scientific observations are scarce.”
Why sharks? The scientists have an answer. According to Carlislie, sharks are perfectly suitable for this research because of their wide-distribution and easier access to them than protected marine mammals.
The researchers have identified various sharks that can collect the information useful in hurricane research. The species include those who come to the surface more frequently to transmit the information to satellites.
The species included shortfin mako sharks, smooth hammerheads, blue sharks and juvenile great white sharks for research in the North Atlantic.
According to marine scientist Caroline Wiernick, the shark-tagging season starts in early May as highly migratory species migrate from the deep Atlantic towards the coast.
Once a shark is captured, researchers attach a satellite tag to its dorsal fin. Fellow researcher Carlisle notes that these tags transmit data to an orbiting satellite network whenever the shark surfaces and breaks the water with its fin.
“We are really most interested in the heat content of the top layer of the ocean, which is known as the mixed layer,” Carlisle said.
“This is the part of the water column that really drives hurricane intensity — a warmer mixed layer equals a stronger hurricane, as it holds the heat that feeds hurricanes,” Carlisle added.
If the project succeeds, the data collected through this process can improve the hurricane forecasts as they come towards the US East Coast, thereby increasing coastal resilience and protection.
