Depth Sounding Diagnostic Measurements of Salt Gradient Solar Ponds

Abstract

A recording depth sounding instrument has provided several different diagnostic measurements in the 1000 m2 Research Salt Gradient Solar Pond at Argonne National Laboratory. The sounder has been used to locate gradient zone boundaries and layers of debris within the pond. The instrument has also helped to verify that the presence of salt piles in the bottom of the pond has been responsible for automatically maintaining the constant position of the gradient zone lower boundary during the last three years. Subsurface waves have been observed at the bottom of the gradient zone near the pond side walls. The sounding instrument has also proved capable of identifying density driven plumes and turbulent disturbances within the pond.