Use of Voltammetry to Monitor O2 Using Au/Hg Electrodes and to Control Physical Sensors on an Unattended Observatory in the Delaware Bay

Abstract

AbstractA voltammetric analyzer was used to control an observatory mooring in the Delaware Bay at the same time oxygen data were collected with solid‐state gold‐amalgam (Au/Hg) electrodes. Oxygen, temperature and salinity data were collected for 8 days and sent wirelessly back to the shore‐based laboratory. Observed oxygen saturations ranged from 70 to 171%, with a mean of 107%. The highest oxygen concentrations were observed when there were low tides during the solar maximum, indicating higher rates of production within the Delaware Bay than in coastal Atlantic Ocean waters which passed the mooring at high tides, as expected based on previous shipboard studies. Lower percent saturations indicated respiration, the decomposition of organic matter by oxygen, as the dominant process and corresponded to night periods. Upon recovery the electrodes were free of bio‐fouling. This study demonstrates that voltammetric techniques and equipment can be used in observatory and mooring systems.