Development of a multi-sensor in situ fiber optic fluorometer. Progress report, June 1, 1992--October 31, 1993

Technical Report · Mon Nov 01 04:00:00 EST 1993

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/10105347· OSTI ID:10105347

Lohrenz, S E; Asper, V L ^[1]; Morris, M J; Walters, R A ^[2]

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1. University of Southern Mississippi, Stennis Space Center, MS (United States)
2. Ocean Optics, Inc., Dunedin, FL (United States)

Our objective is to develop and evaluate a multi-sensor in situ fiber optic fluorometer. The instruments is designed to sample and store in vivo strobe-stimulated fluorescence data at multiple depths and high frequencies (1 Hz). This information may be used for estimating the distribution and abundance of particulate pigment biomass, for supporting models of water column primary production and as a complement to remotely sensed ocean color estimates of pigment biomass. The instrument is unique in that it uses fiber optic technology to increase vertical resolution. While it is theoretically possible to accomplish this task using a large number of commercially available fluorometers, our proposed design would provide a less expensive approach. Two prototype instruments have been built and are being tested. The first, a single sensor instrument interfaced with a 486 personal computer, has been used to optimize hardware and sensor design and to evaluate fiber performance an instrument detection limits. The second instrument, containing 8 sensors and capable of autonomous operation with time-series data acquisition and storage, was recently deployed in a cruise in the Gulf of Mexico. Preliminary results indicate that the instrument meets all the project goals and that low cost, high frequency, high spatial resolution fluorescence data are obtainable with the current design. Additional work will focus on further optimization of hardware design and software algorithms, and construction of an additional instrument specifically designed for deployement in the benthic boundary layer.

• Research Organization: University of Southern Mississippi, Stennis Space Center, MS (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: FG02-92ER61443
• OSTI ID: 10105347
• Report Number(s): DOE/ER/61443--2; ON: DE94003399; BR: KP0202000
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
400102
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47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION
BIOMASS
CHEMICAL AND SPECTRAL PROCEDURES
CHLOROPHYLL
COMPUTERIZED CONTROL SYSTEMS
FIBER OPTICS
FIELD TESTS
FLUORESCENCE SPECTROSCOPY
OCEANOGRAPHY
OPTICAL INSTRUMENTATION
OPTICAL SPECTROMETERS
PERSONAL COMPUTERS
PROGRESS REPORT
RESEARCH PROGRAMS