Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Sagnac effect'
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RayChaudhuri, Biplab. "Conceptual questions in relativistic sagnac effect and related issues." Thesis, University of North Bengal, 2005. http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/609.
Full textAltorio, Matteo. "Novel atom interferometry techniques for a cold-atom gyroscope of large Sagnac area Atom interferometry with top-hat laser beams Improving the phase response of an atom interferometer by means of temporal pulse shaping." Thesis, Sorbonne université, 2019. http://www.theses.fr/2019SORUS449.
Full textThis thesis describes the implementation of new atom interferometry techniques to improve the stability and accuracy of a cold-atom gyroscope located at the SYRTE laboratory. Stimulated Raman transitions are used to split and recombine the atomic waves. A sequence of four light pulses generates an interferometer with a Sagnac area of 11 cm2. I present the implementation of an interleaved interrogation scheme, where three atomic clouds are interrogated simultaneously in an atom interferometer featuring a sampling rate of 3.75 Hz and an interrogation time of 801 ms. With this scheme we demonstrate a short-term sensitivity of 30 nrad·s-1·Hz-1/2. We then present measurements of dynamic rotation rates in a so far unexplored range for a cold atom sensor. An important bias of the sensor originates from a coupling between a relative misalignment of the mirrors which retro-reflect the Raman beams and the trajectory of the atom. A technique is introduced to reduce this bias at the level of 3 nrad·s-1 and to achieve a long-term stability of 0.3 nrad·s-1 which represents the state of the art for atomic gyroscopes. The manuscript then describes the first characterization of the scale factor of the gyroscope using different techniques. In particular, the implementation of a rotation stage below the sensor enables us to vary the projection of the Erath rotation rate vector onto the interferometer area and therefore to modulate the rotation phase shift. The implementation of the techniques presented in this thesis pave paving the way to a test of the Sagnac effect for matter waves with a relative accuracy level below 100 parts per million
Kurth, Martin Lyndon. "Scattering of guided waves in thick gratings at extreme angles." Thesis, Queensland University of Technology, 2006. https://eprints.qut.edu.au/16347/1/Martin_Kurth_Thesis.pdf.
Full textKurth, Martin Lyndon. "Scattering of guided waves in thick gratings at extreme angles." Queensland University of Technology, 2006. http://eprints.qut.edu.au/16347/.
Full textYver, Leduc Florence. "Caractérisation d'un capteur inertiel à atomes froids." Paris 11, 2004. https://tel.archives-ouvertes.fr/tel-00007729.
Full textSince recent developments in atom cooling techniques, matter wave applications are numerous. We present the first realization of a rate-gyroscope based on matter-waves associated to cold atoms, in order to reach high sensitivity and stability. The setup, based on the sagnac effect, is an atom interferometer where beam splitters and mirrors are realized with lasers pulses inducing stimulated raman transitions. At the interferometer output, the phase shift between the two arms depends both on accelerations and rotations. We then use two counterpropagating atomic sources in order to discriminate between rotation and acceleration. We test a new geometry for the laser beams, based on the lasers retroreflection, in order to reduce spurious phase shifts due to wavefront distorsions. The characterization of the first interferometric signal obtained with this setup is presented in this document. Thanks to the implementation of a vibration isolation system, sensitivities obtained after one second are 2,2. 10-6 rad. S-1 for rotation et 6,2. 10-6 m. S-2 for acceleration. This first characterization revealed the main limitation of the setup, which is presently the number of useful atoms. Further modifications on the experiment will improve this point. Moreover, a new interferometer was tested, which presents a sensitivity to the rotation axis parallel to the atomic mean direction. This geometry opens possibilities for a new type of rate-gyroscopes, with very high sensitivity and stability
Skalský, Michal. "Snímač úhlové rychlosti se Sagnacovým interferometrem." Master's thesis, Vysoké učení technické v Brně. Fakulta elektrotechniky a komunikačních technologií, 2016. http://www.nusl.cz/ntk/nusl-240886.
Full textDutta, Indranil. "Stability improvement of a sagnac cold atom interferometer : towards continuous operation." Thesis, Paris 6, 2015. http://www.theses.fr/2015PA066572/document.
Full textThis thesis aims at pushing the performances of a cold atom interferometer principally sensitive to rates of rotation in a particular axis. In our experiment, Cesium atoms are laser cooled, trapped and launched in a fountain configuration. According to the Sagnac effect, the sensitivity of the interferometer to rotation is proportional to the area enclosed by the interferometer arms. We use stimulated Raman transitions to split the atoms in two paths and to form a folded Mach-Zehnder-like interferometer architecture using four Raman pulses. With an interrogation time of the atoms of 800 ms, we achieve a Sagnac area as high as 11 cm^2. The thesis describes the improvements to the experimental setup to operate the gyroscope with such a high Sagnac area. A procedure for the relative alignment of the Raman beams at the microrad level is presented, which is critical to meet the interference condition of the cold atoms at the interferometer output. The characterization and mitigation of the vibration noise, affecting the gyroscope, is also demonstrated. We finally demonstrate a short term rotation stability of 160 nrad/s at 1 s and a long term stability of 1.8 nrad/s after 10 000 s of integration time. This stability level represents a factor 5 improvement compared to the previous SYRTE gyroscope experiment of 2009 and a factor 15 compared to other published results. The thesis work also presents a new method of interrogation to operate the gyroscope without dead times, which is important for various applications of cold atom sensors in inertial navigation, geophysics and in fundamental physics
Canuel, Benjamin. "Etude d'un gyromètre à atomes froids." Paris 11, 2007. http://www.theses.fr/2007PA112049.
Full textWe present the study of an inertial sensor based on matter-wave interferences. This device gives high precision measurement for both rotation rate and acceleration. In contrast with previous analog setups we emphasize on the long term stability and the compactness of the device by the use of laser cooled atoms. Two cold atomic sources of Cesium are launched on counter-propagating parabolic trajectories. At the top of the trajectory, the atoms interact with light pulses inducing stimulated Raman transitions (p/2–p–p/2 pulse sequence). These pulses split, deflect and recombine the wave-packets to realise the interferometer. The phase difference measured at the output of the interferometer is linked to the acceleration and the rotation rate of the device. This signal is also sensitive to some imperfections of the experimental setup which can impact the stability (laser phase noise, magnetic field fluctuation, vibration noise) or the accuracy (magnetic field gradients, trajectories imperfections, light shifts) of the measurement. The influence of these effects is analysed. We also study the improvements of the setup (mainly concerning the atomic trajectories) and the stability obtained in configurations using horizontal and vertical Raman lasers. In this case, the sensitivity reached is respectively 3,5 10-7 rad. S-1 and 8 10-7 m. S-2 in 1 s for rotation and acceleration measurement. We present a first study of the accuracy of the measurement by using the Earth rotation
Gauguet, Alexandre. "Gyromètre à atomes froids : étude de la stabilité limite et des effets systématiques liés aux séparatrices lasers." Paris 6, 2008. https://tel.archives-ouvertes.fr/tel-00322150.
Full textHolleville, David. "conception et réalisation d'un gyromètre à atomes froids fondé sur l'effet Sagnac pour les ondes de matière." Phd thesis, Université Paris Sud - Paris XI, 2001. http://tel.archives-ouvertes.fr/tel-00001098.
Full textLévèque, Thomas. "Développement d'un gyromètre à atomes froids de haute sensibilité fondé sur une géométrie repliée." Phd thesis, Université Pierre et Marie Curie - Paris VI, 2010. http://tel.archives-ouvertes.fr/tel-00532789.
Full textRiedinger, Christophe. "Proposition of a new FDTD (Finite Difference Time Domain) algorithm for modelling a rotating Sagnac gyroscope and its applications to the reduction of perturbations." Université Louis Pasteur (Strasbourg) (1971-2008), 2007. http://www.theses.fr/2007STR13217.
Full textProposition d'un nouvel algorithme FDTD (Finite Difference Time Domain) simulant un gyroscope Sagnac en rotation : application à la réduction des perturbations [. . . ]
Meyer, Gay Lyn. "The Effect of Teacher Training on Internet Usage in the Classroom." Thesis, University of North Texas, 1996. https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc332847/.
Full textYan, Wenhua. "Design of a magnetic guide for rotation sensing by on chip atom interferometry." Thesis, Paris 6, 2014. http://www.theses.fr/2014PA066548.
Full textThis manuscript present the design and realization of an experimental setup for the development of a cold atom interferometer using 87Rb atoms guided on an atom chip, the final goal being the realization of an inertial sensor for rotation measurements. We have therefore study theoretically the magnetic confinement of these atoms in a circular guide. Such a study allowed us to identify the main challenges linked to the atomic wave packet propagation along a stable circular orbit in a magnetic guide, namely: the roughness of the guiding potential, the magnetic potential defects associated to the pattern of the micro wires used to produce this potential, and the Majorana losses. In this thesis we propose original solutions to these questions based on preliminary studies and on the results of our calculations. From the experimental point of view, we have assembled a new cold atom experiment with the main feature of being compact and therefore transportable for in situ measurement of rotations. We have along this work put together an efficient ultra high vacuum system, developed a compact optical bench containing the laser sources for cooling and trapping, a Bragg laser for the atom interferometer, as well as all the needed electronics to control the experiment
Gauguet, Alexandre. "Gyromètre à atomes froids : Etude de la stabilité limite et des effets systématiques liés aux séparatrices lasers." Phd thesis, Université Pierre et Marie Curie - Paris VI, 2008. http://tel.archives-ouvertes.fr/tel-00322150.
Full textCanuel, Benjamin. "Étude d'un gyromètre à atomes froids." Phd thesis, Université Paris Sud - Paris XI, 2007. http://tel.archives-ouvertes.fr/tel-00193288.
Full textContrairement aux appareils précédents, l'utilisation d'atomes refroidis par laser permet d'obtenir un dispositif compact et stable sur le long terme. Cet appareil utilise deux sources d'atomes de Césium froids lancées dans des directions opposées sur des trajectoires paraboliques. Au sommet de cette trajectoire, les atomes interagissent avec des impulsions lasers induisant des transitions Raman stimulées (séquence d'impulsions pi/2-pi-pi/2), afin de réaliser la séparation, la déflection et la recombinaison des paquets d'ondes atomiques. A la sortie de l'interféromètre, le déphasage mesuré est proportionnel à l'accélération et à la vitesse de rotation de l'appareil. Ce signal de déphasage est également sensible à certaines imperfections expérimentales qui peuvent dégrader la stabilité (bruit de phase des lasers, fluctuation du champ magnétique, bruit de vibration) ou l'exactitude l'appareil (gradient de champ magnétique, défauts de trajectoires, déplacement lumineux) dont nous déterminons l'influence. Nous étudions les améliorations apportées aux sources atomiques concernant notamment le contrôle des trajectoires et la stabilité des mesures de déphasage obtenue dans des configurations utilisant des faisceaux Raman verticaux et horizontaux. Dans ce dernier cas les sensibilités atteintes sont respectivement de 3,5 10^-7 rad.s^-1 et 8 10^-7 m.s^-2 sur 1 s pour des mesures de rotation et d'accélération. Une première étude de l'exactitude des mesures est également présentée en utilisant la rotation de la Terre.
LEDUC, FLORENCE. "CARACTERISATION D'UN CAPTEUR INERTIEL A ATOMES FROIDS." Phd thesis, Université Paris Sud - Paris XI, 2004. http://tel.archives-ouvertes.fr/tel-00007729.
Full textSavoie, Denis. "Fonctionnements continu et entrelacé d'un gyromètre à atomes froids et amélioration de sa stabilité." Thesis, Paris 6, 2017. http://www.theses.fr/2017PA066585/document.
Full textSagnac atomic gyroscopes have great potential due to their high sensitivity to rotation. The SYRTE atomic gyroscope uses laser cooled cesium atoms. Thank to stimulated Raman transitions, we form a folded Mach-Zehnder type interferometer. The instrument allows interrogation times up to 800~ms, which corresponds to a 11~cm$^2$ Sagnac area, the largest demonstrated for atom interferometers. This is a major step toward the use of such instruments in inertial navigation. I describe the methods implemented to push the short-term sensitivity and performed the first detailed study of systematics, such as those linked to light-shifts due to the preparation and the detection of the atoms and those linked to misalignment of parallelism of the mirrors and of the trajectories of the atoms. I demonstrated a short-term stability of 30~nrad.s$^{-1}$.Hz$^{-1/2}$ in triple interleaved joint interrogation which improves the state of the art by a factor 3. The state of the art has also been improved by a factor 5 in long-term with a 0,2~nrad.s$^{-1}$ stability in 30~000~s
Lalli, R. "ESPERIMENTI DI ETHER-DRIFT NEL XX SECOLO - CASI STORICI A CONFRONTO: EFFETTO SAGNAC (FRANCIA, 1913) ED ESPERIMENTI DI MILLER (USA, 1921-26)." Doctoral thesis, Università degli Studi di Milano, 2011. http://hdl.handle.net/2434/155761.
Full textLandragin, Arnaud. "Interférométrie atomique : applications aux capteurs inertiels." Habilitation à diriger des recherches, Université Pierre et Marie Curie - Paris VI, 2009. http://tel.archives-ouvertes.fr/tel-00454671.
Full textHsu, Hsiao-Ting M. "Design of a tablet sized human-computer interface and its effect on situation awareness." Thesis, Queensland University of Technology, 2015. https://eprints.qut.edu.au/84679/1/Hsiao-Ting_Hsu_Thesis.pdf.
Full textTackmann, Gunnar. "Interférométrie Raman avec des atomes en chute libre et piégés." Phd thesis, Université Pierre et Marie Curie - Paris VI, 2013. http://tel.archives-ouvertes.fr/tel-00966091.
Full textLe gyromètre CASI est basé sur un double interféromètre Raman aux trajectoires atomiques contrapropageantes. Cet ouvrage présente des études sur la stabilité du capteur et une amélioration de la sensibilité aux rotations d'un ordre de grandeur par rapport a l'état précédent. Une sensibilité de 2×10-8 rad/s après 4000 s de moyennage a été démontrée en exploitant, pour le corriger, la corrélation du signal de rotation avec le temps d'arrivée des échantillons atomiques.
L'expérience FORCA-G vise à réaliser des mesures de forces a faible distance à l'aide d'interféromètres Raman basés sur un effet tunnel induit par laser dans un réseau optique. Des mesures avec une sensibilité aux accélérations de 2×10-5 g/√Hz sont présentées. La sensibilité obtenue après une intégration de 150 s permettra de réaliser des mesures de la force de Casimir-Polder avec une incertitude statistique de 1 % à une distance atome-surface de l'ordre de 5 µm. Par ailleurs, l'implémentation d'un transport cohérent des atomes dans des réseaux optiques accélérés a été effectuée, qui sera utile pour les mesures futures.
Meunier, Matthieu. "Etude d'un gyromètre à ondes de matière de très grande aire." Phd thesis, Université Pierre et Marie Curie - Paris VI, 2013. http://tel.archives-ouvertes.fr/tel-01053196.
Full textMcGrath, Alice. "Modelling the effects of spatio-temporal spawning variability on the transport and retention success of sardine (Sardinops sagax) eggs and larvae around South Africa." Master's thesis, University of Cape Town, 2018. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/27995.
Full textFils, Jérôme. "Réalisation et caractérisation d'un gyromètre à ondes de de Broglie." Paris 11, 2002. http://www.theses.fr/2002PA112158.
Full textAn inertial sensor using matter-wave interferometry with cold alcalii atoms (133 cesium) is under construction at the observatoire de Paris. Two counter- propagating temporal atomic interferometers measure accelerations and rotations of the laboratory frame compared to the inertial frame of the atoms. Carioles acceleration is calculated by subtraction of both signals. The source is a cloud of atoms captured in a magnetic optical trap. The atoms are launched in parabolic flight and separated in two classical trajectories by acting on their internal state coupled to their external impulse state. A symmetric Ramsey-borde interferometer is used : separation, deviation and recombination of the coherent wave functions is made by three two-photon Raman transitions between both hyperfine levels of the cesium ground level with a single temporal modulated laser. This work draws an error budget of the apparatus. Quantum projection white noise is the intrinsic limitation of the measure. Rotation mechanical noises and temperature fluctuations of the clouds have a higher level. A cross effect between optical aberrations of the Raman lasers and non-superposition of the counter-propagating atomic streams decreases signal stability. The phase noise of the Raman lasers, so as parasite accelerations, even disappearing by subtraction because they are equal on both interferometers, must be minimized. The theoretical study was about the diffraction of an hermite-gauss wave packet subdued to Schrödinger equation with an Hamiltonian which is quadratic in position and impulse. It has sharpened the calculation of the Sagnac effect and the residual phase shift due to optical aberrations
Varoquaux, Gaël. "Sources atomiques pour senseurs inertiels interférométriques à long temps d'interrogation." Phd thesis, Université Paris Sud - Paris XI, 2008. http://tel.archives-ouvertes.fr/tel-00265714.
Full textKiswani, Mohamad. ""Am I Bothered by Your View of Me?" : A Look at Racism's Effect on Slaves in the Novel Roots: The Saga of an American Family by Alex Haley." Thesis, Högskolan i Halmstad, Sektionen för lärarutbildning (LUT), 2014. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:hh:diva-24343.
Full textNyh, Johan. "From Snow White to Frozen : An evaluation of popular gender representation indicators applied to Disney’s princess films." Thesis, Karlstads universitet, Institutionen för geografi, medier och kommunikation, 2015. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:kau:diva-36877.
Full textBetyg VG (skala IG-VG)
許益閔. "The study of rotation sensors based on Fiber Optic Sagnac Effect." Thesis, 1995. http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/68483746921832727262.
Full text國立臺灣科技大學
工程技術研究所
83
There are many ways to measure the angular velocity of an object or a system by using optic fiber systems, which have been studied by some researchers. In this study, the optic fiber Sagnac interferometer sensing system was utilized to sense the rotation speed of a step-motor. Two ways were adopted to create rotation, one is 2 phase excitation, another is 1-2 phase excitation. The interferometer signals have been observed by combining the electronic circuit techniques of PZT phase modulation and phase sensitive detection(PSD). In addition, the open loop phase nulling technique which can raise the linearity and reduce signal drift the input signal (rad/sec), the results of fundamental frequency and harmonic frequency are cocsistent with the prediction of theoretical mathematical formula.
Lin, Chia-Ju, and 林佳儒. "Study on Photo-annealing Effect of Super-fluorescent Fiber Source and Its Application in Sagnac Interferometer." Thesis, 2015. http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/d3y9v4.
Full text國立臺灣科技大學
電子工程系
103
In this thesis, the characteristics of super-fluorescent fiber source (SFS), the recovery of photo-annealing effect and the application of fiber optic gyroscope (FOG) were discussed. The main scheme used here was a double-pass backward SFS (DPB-SFS) based on a broadband fiber Bragg grating (BFBG), which is temperature-compensated by carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP). First, two types of Erbium-doped fiber (EDF), HG980 B1 and AG980H, in different lengths were used in the DPB-SFS. The properties of DPB-SFS using both types of EDFs were studied in their output power, mean-wavelength and 3 dB bandwidth. The best output power, mean-wavelength and 3 dB bandwidth were 10.65 dBm, 1549.3 nm and 16.92 nm, respectively, using 5 m EDF (HG980 B1). Then, we discussed the photo-annealing effect. The EDFs were exposed in 60Co gamma-radiation with a total dose of 200 krad. Because the molecular bonding of EDF would be damaged by the radiation, a 637 nm red light laser was used to recovery the radiation-induced loss. The properties of radiation-induced loss and recovery were characterized by measuring the absorption spectra of EDFs which were pumped by a 980 nm broadband light source. Results showed that both types of EDF could be photo-annealed by the 637 nm red light laser. The AG980H EDF suffered greater loss than the other, but the loss could be healed up to 12.71 dB after photo-annealed. After that, the thermal and real-time radiation stabilities of DPB-SFS were discussed. In this part, we discussed the thermal stability by using 5 m EDF (HG980B1) and the temperature ranging from 0 to 70 oC. The measured variation of output power, mean-wavelength and 3 dB bandwidth were 0.12 dB, 2 ppm/oC and 2.2 %, respectively. To verify real-time radiation stability, a 5 m HG980B1 EDF was set in the radiation chamber for 4.55-hour 60Co gamma-radiation exposure with a total dose of 200 krad. Again, a 637 nm red light laser was used to the DPB-SFS for in-time recovery of radiation-induced loss. The measured variation of output power, mean-wavelength and 3 dB bandwidth were 1.31 dB, 178.67 ppm and 0.7 %, respectively. Finally, for the investigation of Sagnac interferometer, the horizontal sensing based on Sagnac effect was introduced, and the DPB-SFS with 5 m HG980B1 EDF was used as sensing light source. Three interferometer schemes based on 2x2 fiber couplers in different lengths of EDF (3 m, 4 m and 5m) were investigated. The results showed that the variation of output power was periodic up and down in cosine function when the rotation angles varys from 0o to 90o both on clockwise and counter-clockwise direction. Taking 5 m interferometer for example; the slope on linear region is 0.05 mW power per rotation angle.
黃渝瑄. "The study of multiwavelength fiber laser incorporating dual-pass in-line Sagnac interferometer and nonlinear polarization rotation effect." Thesis, 2010. http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/63468848428143981042.
Full text高雄師範大學
光電與通訊工程學系
98
We present a multiwavelength fiber laser using nonlinear polarization rotation effect to suppress mode competition from the erbium doped fiber. The proposed new type of comb filter used in the multiwavelength fiber laser can produce more available and continuous operation wavelengths with better performances of FSR, SNR and linewidth. The fiber laser substitute dual pass in-line Sagnac interferometer for single pass in-line Sagnac interferometer . We use this new type of dual pass comb filters in our proposed fiber laser to successfully increase the SNR of lasing spectrum more than 30dB. The combination of the nonlinear polarization rotation effect devices and the dual pass comb filter can share an in-line fiber polarizer so as to simply the laser structure and reduce the cost. We properly adjust the phase of nonlinear polarization rotation effect, cavity length and pumping power respectively. The phase adjusting of the nonlinear polarization rotation effect can obtain three kinds of wavelength fiber laser spectra which bandwidth are 47 nm, 41 nm and 29 nm respectively. The optima cavity length is set at 2km to achieve the better laser performances. Various pumping powers injected into the multi-wavelength fiber laser can obtain different lasing spectra. The pumping power operating at 700mW can get the 6dB bandwidth of 47nm and SNR more than 20dB. When the pumping power operates at 200mW with fixed phase of nonlinear polarization rotation, an ultra broadband of lasing spectrum with 110 wavelength-lasing peaks periodically distributed from 1564nm to 1608nm accompanied with average lasing linewidth of 0.08nm, average FSR of 0.4nm and average SNR of 37dB. To the best of our knowledge, these results are the best performances than the previous references that ever announced in the field of multiwavelength fiber laser spectra more than 110 peaks.
Garland, David Ernest. "Effect of ageing errors on estimates of growth, mortality and yield-per-recruit for the Chilean sardine (Sardinops sagax)." Thesis, 1993. http://hdl.handle.net/1957/35746.
Full textCha, Yoon Kyung. "Load reduction and invasive mussel effects on eutrophication dynamics in Saginaw Bay, Lake Huron." Diss., 2011. http://hdl.handle.net/10161/5711.
Full textPhosphorus load reduction and dreissenid invasion are the two most important factors that influence europhication dynamics in the Great Lakes. The 1978 amendments to the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement (GLWQA) between the United States and Canada established target phosphorus loads for the lakes, leading to reductions in external phosphorus loading to the Great Lakes. With diminished phosphorus levels, further nutrient management was a minor concern until the proliferation of invasive dreissenid mussels. Dreissenid mussels were first documented in the Laurentian Great Lakes in the late 1980s. Zebra mussels (
This dissertation characterizes long-term patterns of phosphorus loading and mussel populations for Saginaw Bay, and estimates the effects of load reductions and dreissenid invasion on several aspects of pelagic water quality, focusing on phosphorus flux and cycling in Saginaw Bay. Bayesian approaches were used to quantify the impacts of load reduction and mussel invasion, while at the same time addressing model parameter uncertainty and prediction uncertainty associated with long-term observational data. Annual total phosphorus load estimates suggest a decreasing trend until the late 1970s to early 1980s, reflecting the effectiveness of point source controls implemented pursuant to GLWQA. Despite the decrease, however, the annual loads have not likely met the 440 tonne yr-1 target established for Saginaw Bay. In 1990 zebra mussels were discovered in the bay and by 1992 they were widespread and peaked with densities of >30,000 m
Dissertation
(8045354), Alexander J. Gatch. "Negative effects of sedimentation on lithophilic spawning fish embryos and methods to potentially mitigate these effects." Thesis, 2019.
Find full textNatural and constructed rocky reef habitats constitute important areas for lithophilic spawning fishes and their embryonic and larval offspring. Interstitial spaces created by the structure of rocky reefs create micro-environments where incubating embryos and juvenile fishes are potentially protected from predators. However, if interstitial spaces are filled or blocked by sediment deposition or biofouling, the reef structure may lose the protective benefits for embryonic and larval fish survival. Lake whitefish (Coregonus clupeaformis) and walleye (Sander vitreus) are native Great Lake lithophilic broadcast spawning fish that use rocky spawning habitats that are vulnerable to degradation caused by deposition of suspended sediments. To restore degraded rocky reef habitat, common practices include addition of material to existing reef structures or construction of new reefs, but both of these practices can be costly and time intensive. In this study, we measured the effect of different types and amounts of sediment cover on hatching success of walleye eggs and assessed if differences in female walleye (female length and egg size) account for tolerance to sediment cover. Additionally, we explored an alternative approach for reef restoration, custodial maintenance, in which we created two novel devices to potentially clean rocky reef habitat. We carried out two laboratory experiments in 2018 and 2019 to test the effect of sediment cover on hatching success of walleye eggs (2018) and to test how female identity and female length or egg size may interact with sediment cover to influence hatching success (2019). We exposed walleye eggs to instantaneous sediment cover (0 mm – 7mm) of either sand (course) or silt (fine) sediments from fertilization until day 15 of incubation. Our results indicated that walleye eggs were sensitive to silt cover (71% mortality- 2 mm cover silt) but not sand (47% mortality- 7mm cover sand). While there was an indication that hatching success was marginally related to female length and egg size, we concluded that sediment cover seemed to have similar effects on eggs, regardless of female length or egg size. The susceptibility of walleye eggs to mortality caused by sediment cover underscores the need for non-degraded spawning habitat. Our two cleaning devices used either propulsion or pressurized water jets to clean sediments from the rocky structure as they were towed behind a small vessel (i.e., did not require the use of SCUBA divers). We used devices to clean two natural rocky reefs in Saginaw Bay, Lake Huron in 2018 and 2019. We measured relative hardness before and after use of devices on cleaned and uncleaned study plots to determine effectiveness of devices. In addition, we measured egg deposition by fall (lake whitefish) and spring (walleye) lithophilic spawners on study plots to determine potential differences in fish usage of cleaned and uncleaned areas. We found that cleaning devices contributed to changes in relative hardness among study plots. Egg deposition was also variable on study plots but in general, egg deposition was consistently highest on treatment plots cleaned by our device that used propulsion. The practicality of cleaning devices was seemingly related to the magnitude of degradation of rocky reefs, nevertheless, our results show that the use of these or similar devices may potentially increase egg deposition by creating areas of higher-quality habitat. While more testing is necessary to fully understand the potential of our reef cleaning devices, this two-year study suggests that these devices may be capable of restoring degraded rocky spawning habitat which could potentially minimize the negative effects associated with sediment degradation on lithophilic spawning fish.