Lagrangian sediment traps
Sedi
ment traps collect small particles that sink down from the surface waters of the ocean. When researchers bring the tubes back to the surface, they filter the particles out of the saltwater then study the chemical and biological properties of these particles. The samples are freeze-dried, weighed, and analyzed for salt-corrected inorganic carbon content and total carbon content, from which organic carbon content can be calculated.
The top of the trap has a plastic baffle, which prevents large objects from entering the trap and potentially clogging the funnel. Most sediment traps are moored in one location, but Lagrangian sediment traps drift with the currents.

Interdisciplinary field experiments
MBARI’s Controlled, Agile, and Novel Observing Network (CANON) Initiative is an interdisciplinary effort that utilizes smart, autonomous devices designed to cooperate with each other to collect oceanographic information.
Team

Ken Smith
Senior Scientist/
Marine Ecologist

Brett Hobson
Mechanical Engineer

Paul McGill
Electrical Engineer

Alana Sherman
Electrical Engineering Group Lead
Technology
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- Apex profiling floats
- Benthic Event Detectors
- Deep particle image velocimetry
- Environmental Sample Processor (ESP)
- Investigations of imaging for midwater autonomous platforms
- Lagrangian sediment traps
- Laser Raman Spectroscopy
- Midwater Respirometer System
- Mobile flow cytometer
- Smart underwater connector
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