Instrumentation for Determining Benthic Oxygen Exchange Rates by Eddy-Correlation with Coordinated Studies of the Oregon Shelf

pi建议开发一种配备传感器的底栖三脚架，通过涡流相关测量底栖动物的总氧交换，通过微剖面测量底栖动物的弥漫性氧交换和沉积物氧穿透深度。高分辨率数码相机将提供有助于通量的沉积物表面面积的时间序列图像。测量底生物氧交换率（BOXER）的新系统将在该项目中以完全自主的模式使用，但如果通过电缆连接到沿海天文台的底生物节点，也将被设计用于接收电力和传输数据。BOXER测量将至少在2008年7月至2009年12月期间进行季节性测量，但在一年中的部分时间内也会进行较短的时间尺度测量。通过将这些测量与其他海洋学观测网络和实地项目相协调，pi将解决这样一个假设，即底栖生物交换率是暂时可变的，并通过强迫事件（如春季转变（风）和与上升流事件（碳通量）相关的浮游生物大量繁殖的开始）可预测地控制。更广泛的影响这里提出的综合测量以及与俄勒冈大陆架其他项目的联系和合作，将为大陆架的氧和碳交换动态提供新的有价值的信息。这项工作代表了将涡流相关性与长期监测设施相适应的开创性努力，这是深入了解这些重要环境中季节性元素循环的唯一途径。该项目具有很大的潜力，可以作为一个教育和培训学生的平台。PI在培养优秀科学家方面有着良好的记录。接待REU的学生，并将其中一些工作整合到海洋技术课程中，很好地补充了标准的研究生培训。

The PIs propose to develop a benthic tripod equipped with sensors to measure total benthic oxygen exchange by eddy-correlation, and diffusive benthic oxygen exchange and sediment oxygen penetration depth by microprofiling. A high resolution digital camera will provide time-series images of the sediment surface area that contributes to the flux. The new system for measuring Benthic OXygen Exchange Rate (BOXER) will be utilized in a completely autonomous mode during this project but will also be designed to receive power and transmit data if connected through cables to a benthic node of a coastal observatory. BOXER measurements will be performed at least seasonally between July 2008 and December 2009, but also over shorter time-scales during parts of the year. By coordinating these measurements with a network of other oceanographic observations and field programs, The PIs will address the hypothesis that benthic exchange rates are temporally variable and controlled predictably by forcing events such as the spring transition (wind) and onset of plankton blooms associated with upwelling events (carbon flux). Broader ImpactsThe combined measurements proposed here and the connection to and collaboration with other projects focusing on the Oregon Continental Shelf will provide new valuable information on the oxygen and carbon exchange dynamics for the Shelf. This work represent a pioneering effort in adapting eddy-correlation to long term monitoring facilities, which is the only way to get in depth insight on seasonal element cycling in these important environments. The project has high potential to serve as a platform for education and training of students. The PI has an excellent track record of training excellent scientists. Hosting REU students and integrating some of this work into a marine technology class nicely compliment the standard graduate training.