Abstract
We introduce for the first time a new product line able to make high accuracy measurements of a number of water chemistry parameters in situ: i.e., submerged in the environment including in the deep sea (to 6,000 m). This product is based on the developments of in situ lab on chip technology at the National Oceanography Centre (NOC), and the University of Southampton and is produced under license by Clearwater Sensors Ltd., a start-up and industrial partner in bringing this technology to global availability and further developing its potential. The technology has already been deployed by the NOC, and with their partners worldwide over 200 times including to depths of ∼4,800 m, in turbid estuaries and rivers, and for up to a year in seasonally ice-covered regions of the arctic. The technology is capable of making accurate determinations of chemical and biological parameters that require reagents and which produce an electrical, absorbance, fluorescence, or luminescence signal. As such it is suitable for a wide range of environmental measurements. Whilst further parameters are in development across this partnership, Nitrate, Nitrite, Phosphate, Silicate, Iron, and pH sensors are currently available commercially. Theses sensors use microfluidics and optics combined in an optofluidic chip with electromechanical valves and pumps mounted upon it to mix water samples with reagents and measure the optical response. An overview of the sensors and the underlying components and technologies is given together with examples of deployments and integrations with observing platforms such as gliders, autonomous underwater vehicles and moorings.
Highlights
The oceans cover over 70% of our planet and directly contribute $2.5Trillion/yr in economic benefit, which is equivalent to the world’s 7th largest economy (2016) (Hoegh-Guldberg, 2015)
The technology has already been deployed by the National Oceanography Centre (NOC), and with their partners worldwide over 200 times including to depths of ∼4,800 m, in turbid estuaries and rivers, and for up to a year in seasonally ice-covered regions of the arctic
The advantage of a reagent cartridge is that the operator does not need have the analytical chemistry experience or skills required to make up reagents, standards, or blanks
Summary
The oceans cover over 70% of our planet and directly contribute $2.5Trillion/yr in economic benefit, which is equivalent to the world’s 7th largest economy (2016) (Hoegh-Guldberg, 2015). State of the art operational Earth System/lower trophic level ecosystem models (such as Butenschoen et al, 2016) include the carbonate system and macro nutrient variables in both pelagic (water) and benthic (sediment) representations as well as iron (Fe) in the pelagic and CO2 flux between the ocean and atmosphere. Their measurement in both process studies and operationally are critical in the development and calibration of these models and our understanding and operational awareness of ocean health. The measurement of ocean chemistry is critical to understanding the health and productivity (including fisheries and bioresources) of our oceans in a changing climate and in mitigating negative effects
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