21.05.2013: Experimental set-up to measure community respiration in Kongsfjorden (Spitsbergen) successfully tested on Helgoland Island
Figure 1: Experimental setup: six respiration chambers, a CTD, power supply, data logger and two 8-way valves on a aluminum frame.
Figure 2: 8-way valve on CTD, one respiration chamber and power supply in the background
Between 13th and 17th of May Dr. Jürgen Laudien, Ralf Hoffmann and Max Schwanitz from the Alfred Wegener Institute for Polar and Marine Research (AWI) successfully tested an experimental set-up to be used during this year’s expedition to Kongsfjorden (Spitsbergen). The setup allows in situ measurements of oxygen production and respiration of hard bottom communities.
The aims were to figure out, a) if the technical part of the set-up is working in situ, b) if the software works under in situ conditions and c) if and how the hardware may be handled by scientific divers.
The RV “Diker” was used to transport the equipment to the dive site “Helgoland Vorhafen” and as a working platform for the six dives. The set -up consists of an aluminum frame, six respiration chambers, a CTD, data logger, power supply and two 8-way valves. To install and uninstall the set-up was carried out under “Spitsbergen conditions”, just by manual manipulation without using a winch. The analysis of the dives and the data indicated that some minor improvements may be implemented to optimize the set-up for the expedition but overall the set-up worked fine. With the experience gained e.g. concerning handling time under water, now a better and precise dive-plan can be prepared, which is necessary to coordinate the many dive projects on Spitsbergen.
Ralf Hoffmann, Dr. Jürgen Laudien (May, 2013)
AWI - Center for Scientific Diving at Helgoland (AWI-CSD)
With more than 1200 scientific dives per year, the AWI Center for Scientific Diving (AWI-CSD) at Biologische Anstalt Helgoland (BAH) is the central platform for all scientific dive missions of the AWI. Besides Helgoland, the center has dependances at the AWI sites Bremerhaven, Sylt and the polar research stations AWIPEV (Arctic) and Dallman (Antarctic). With currently 10 researchers, certified as "German Dive Mission Leader", the AWI has highly trained research divers for dive missions in all marine and polar regions.
Mission of the AWI Center for Scientific Diving at Helgoland
The AWI CSD is located on Helgoland Island in Building B "Heinke Halle" and is operated year round. Our general mission is:
- To conduct, promote and support diver related underwater science within the framework of the AWI research topics (PACES and PUF-Programs).
- To provide diver support at our polar station AWIPEV and Dallman lab.
- To sample marine organisms for our visiting guest researchers and visiting courses at BAH.
- To sample marine organisms for the BAH biota shipping service and the BAH Aquarium.
