Deployment on the in situ mass spectrometer and other chemical sensors and in situ pore water sampling.
In situ measurements in large water depths are essential for quantifications of parameters which are altered during the recovery of the samples. This is due to pressure release, and temperature change, as well a alteration of the hydrodynamic regime. Examples are measurements of hydrostatic pressure, fluxes of oxygen or methane through the sediment-water interface, as well as gradients in microbial activity or of chemical constituents.
Besides minimizing sampling artifacts, there is a considerable scientific need for long-term observations, as well as for high resolution measurements with seismo acoustic, chemical and optical sensor systems. Furthermore, very detailed sampling and measurements close to the sediment-water interface rely on in situ sensor and sampling systems.
In close cooperation with partners from other research centers, universities, institutes as well as companies we are active in the field of marine technology. These activities are part of the Virtual Institute MarTech (a cooperation of the AWI, RCOM, Applied University Bremen, MPI, TZI) and research projects.
Examples for samplers and in situ sensors are:
- the Rhizon-Sampler
- NIC
- in situ Mass-Spectrometer
- micro-profilers O2, pH or H2S profiles in surface sediments
- in situ nutrient Autoanalysers like the NAS2
- optical Nitrat analyzer as the ISUS
- benthic chamber systems and microcosm
- Bottom Water Sampler BWS
Sensors, Samplers and Sensor networks
Investigations of the ocean and sediments require specific sampling and sensors systems. These systems are designed for application in large water depths (e.g. > 3000m) and at low temperatures. They are deployed from research vessels or as payload installed on autonomous underwater vehicles or within lander systems.