Abstract
Laser induced fluorescence technique for sea water monitoring allows no-time consuming, non-invasive and non-destructive controls. In this study, the performance of the new shipboard laser spectrofluorometric CAS-PER (Compact and Advanced Laser Spectrometer—ENEA Patent) for monitoring phytoplankton community composition was examined. The prototype CASPER is based on double laser excitation of water samples in the UV (266 nm) and visible (405 nm) spectral region and a double water filtration in order to detect both quantitative data, such as chromophoric dissolved organic matter (CDOM), proteins-like components (tyrosine, tryptophan), algal pigments (chlorophylls a and b, phycoerythrin, phycocyanin, different pigments of the carotenoid groups) and qualitative data on the presence of hydrocarbons and oil pollutants. Sea water samples from different depths have been collected and analyzed from August 2010 through November 2011 in the Gulf of Asinara (N-W Sardinia). Several sampling stations were selected as sites with different degree of pollution. The accuracy and the reliability of data obtained by CASPER have been evaluated comparing the results with other standard measurements such as: Chlorophyll a (Chl a) data obtained by spectrophotometric method and total phytoplankton abundance in terms of density and class composition. Spectral deconvolution technique was developed and integrated with CASPER system to assess and characterize a marker pigments and organic compounds in situ and in vivo. Field studies confirmed CASPER system capability to effectively discriminate characteristic spectra of fluorescent water constituents, contributing to decrease the time-consuming manual analysis of the water samples in the laboratory.
Highlights
The oceans and coastal water quality assessment systems need to cover large areas with adequate spatial and temporal resolution
The aim of the present work was to investigate the performance of the new portable laser apparatus Compact and Advanced Laser SPEctrofotometeR (CASPER) (Compact and Advanced laser SPE ctrofotometeR —ENEA Patent) for phytoplankton pigments composition analysis, oil derivates detection and seawater quality monitoring in the Gulf of Asinara (N-W Sardinia)
We describe a fluorescence spectral system to detect and assess water fluorescence compounds by means of a spectral deconvolution technique, based on laboratory and field measurements and implemented in open source R software environment, in order to contribute to identify marker pigments and phytoplankton groups using the discriminatory capability of characteristic spectra recorded by CASPER
Summary
The oceans and coastal water quality assessment systems need to cover large areas with adequate spatial and temporal resolution. The operations must be cost-efficient and involve high-speed data processing. Such requirements are not met with traditional methods of water sampling and laboratory analysis and additional information is necessary to detect and identify sources of water contamination, a critical water quality component. Several critical components still remain missing or not adequately sampled to characterize the marine ecosystem biodiversity and habitat change [1]. Phytoplankton is an important biotic component and OPEN ACCESS OJMS
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