Artifacts or Nature? Data Processing and Interpretation of 3D Current Fields Recorded with Vessel Mounted Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler in Different Regions and Conditions

To ensure good quality data using a vessel mounted Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler (ADCP) and to avoid misinterpretations analyzing recorded data, some steps for post processing are necessary in addition to software provided by manufactory. Comparison of different possible speed references for ADCP with technical explanations and recommendation as well as required data corrections are shown. Actual developments like detection of current shear and stratification as well surface as current measurements using up-looking lowered vessel mounted ADCP are presented.