Cryoegg, Cryowurst and Hydrobean: wireless instruments for glaciology and hydrology

Observations of conditions within and beneath the ice of glaciers and ice sheets are required to better constrain models of glacier dynamics and provide more reliable forecasts of how ice responds to a changing climate. We have developed and deployed two wireless instruments intended to provide long-term observations of englacial and subglacial environments.  A third instrument has been developed for use in streams and rivers – this may be used in either glacial or temperate environments.

Cryoegg is a spherical instrument deployed in subglacial channels via boreholes, or in moulins. It measures temperature, water pressure and electrical conductivity and provides data live by radio link through the ice to a receiver on the surface. The spherical shape allows it to travel within water channels and report on conditions within the hydrological system. We demonstrate how it has provided 5 months of data from within a glacier moulin in west Greenland, and that the radio link can operate through 2,500m of ice in north-east Greenland.

Cryowurst is a cylindrical instrument deployed in a borehole and measures both subglacial hydrological parameters (water pressure, temperature and electrical conductivity) but also its tilt and orientation change as the ice moves. It also reports wirelessly to a datalogger on the glacier surface. It has provided 5 months of data during a deployment in Yukon, Canada.

Hydrobean is an instrument intended for citizen scientists studying streams and small rivers in temporate regions. It shares some common technology with the two cryospheric instruments. Hydrobean consists of a hemispherical unit deployed on the river bed, which sends data by radio link to a data logger on the bank. It measures water pressure, water temperature and electrical conductivity and is intended to help identify pollution events (which may raise both the temperature and electrical conductivity of the water). Hydrobean has been tested in the River Usk in Wales and the river Dart in south-west England. We also intend to deploy Hydrobean in supraglacial streams during future glaciological fieldwork.

The data loggers which receive the data from all three wireless instruments store the data locally but can also forward data to a web portal using cellular or satellite links. This has allowed us to closely monitor and retrieve data in close to real time and reduces the risk of data loss from equipment damage in a harsh environment.