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1999 Projects: New in-situ InstrumentsSolid-state chemical analyzersProject lead: Hans Jannasch It is generally recognized that the most significant factor limiting our understanding of chemical distributions in the ocean is the lack of data with sufficient spatial and temporal resolution. Satellite images of the ocean surface and benthic observations of hydrothermal systems show that the ocean's chemical composition can vary greatly, and over much smaller scales than previously believed. Current methods of chemical sampling followed by laboratory analyses are too cumbersome and expensive to obtain the detailed data required to study this natural variability. The most obvious solution is to develop small, reliable, in situ chemical detectors capable of analyzing uncontaminated samples in real time while deployed on a variety of platforms, including submersibles, CTD instruments, moorings, and benthic observatories. Under this projects we will continue development of a fully programmable, solid-state chemical analyzer. We will demonstrate the feasibility of this concept by building an in situ, ROV-deployable instrument capable of processing several chemistries simultaneously. These analyzers will utilize our recently developed microvalve, which contains no moving parts and allows all the microfluidic elements of the analyzer to be contained in a volume of about 100 mililiters. We expect to adapt existing sulfide, silicate, iron, and manganese chemistries to this device. In addition to standard colorimetric analyses, the analyzer will be able to process in situ titrations and online dilutions, and make conductivity measurements. With their small size, lack of moving parts, and ability to be fully computer-controlled, these analyzers hold promise as the next generation of useful in situ oceanographic analyzers for dissolved constituents within any aqueous environment. Next: Instrumentation for studies on redox-active chemical species Last updated: 07 October 2004 |
