The Helix Experiment: Helix Reef physical oceanography, Great Barrier Reef

Two oceanographic moorings were deployed at distances of 2.5 km to the NE and NW of Helix Reef. Two current meters were deployed on each mooring, placed approximately 15 and 46 metres below the surface. Currents were recorded between October 1983 and March 1984, encompassing the Australian summer coral spawning period. Currents were resolved into seasonal drift, low frequency (wind-forced), and diurnal (tidal) bands. Two tide gauges were deployed on opposite ends of Helix Reef over the same time period and were oriented (generally) upstream-downstream to detect phase eddies. This study was undertaken to provide data to enable modelling of the hydrodynamic regime around Helix Reef as part of a joint study of the dispersal and recruitment patterns of coral larvae (The Helix Experiment). The bathymetry data used in the model was provided by the Australian Survey Office.For further details of the study of dispersal and recruitment, see the metadata record "The Helix Experiment: Dispersal and recruitment patterns in Great Barrier Reef corals".