Abstract
We present a compact laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) spectrometer prototype (SFIDA–405) designed for in-field operation in polar environments. It uses 405 nm excitation to acquire LIF spectra in the 450–930 nm spectral range on a solid surface via an optical-fiber coupled measurement head. The prototype (battery powered; module + measurement head weight: <1.6 kg) is controlled via a military-grade smartphone and has a limit of detection for chlorophyll better than 5 ng/cm2. The instrument was successfully tested during two summer field campaigns in the Arctic (Svalbard Islands) and Antarctic (Southern Victoria Land) regions for studying biological soil crusts. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this represents the first LIF spectrometer used in situ in Antarctica to acquire LIF spectra directly on biological soil crusts. Finally, the paper also suggests the use of the SFIDA–405 prototype for different application fields.
Highlights
Compact laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) Spectrometer forThe availability of field-portable instrumentation is a key factor in environmental studies
Besides the technical characteristics of the prototype, this paper reports the typical LIF spectra acquired in situ on different environmental targets during two polar (Arctic and Antarctic) measurement campaigns
We presented a rugged, handy prototype of a LIF spectrometer designed for acquiring fluorescence spectra in harsh environments
Summary
The availability of field-portable instrumentation is a key factor in environmental studies. Field-portable fluorometers such as Pulse-Amplitude Modulation (PAM) fluorometers have been routinely used in basic and applied photosynthesis research ever since the introduction of the first chlorophyll (Chl) fluorometer [1] They are mainly used to measure the relative Chl fluorescence quantum yield, recent models can provide data on other photosynthesis parameters [2]. 405— designed, constructed, and extensively used to acquire in situ measurements of LIF spectra on solid surfaces in polar environments. Besides the technical characteristics of the prototype, this paper reports the typical LIF spectra acquired in situ on different environmental targets (biological soil crusts, algal mats, rocks) during two polar (Arctic and Antarctic) measurement campaigns. The paper suggests the use of the SFIDA–405 prototype in different application fields
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