Development of a multi-sensor in situ fiber optic fluorometer

Objective is to develop and evaluate a multi-sensor in situ fiber optic fluorometer. The instrument 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. A laboratory prototype has been built and is being tested. Preliminary results indicate that the instrument meets all the project goals and that low cost, high frequency, high spatial resolution chlorophyll data are obtainable with the current design. Further work is required to develop the seagoing version, and optimize the configuration of the fiber sensors