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

研究所提议开发一个装有传感器的底栖三脚架，通过涡流相关法测量底栖氧交换总量，通过微剖面法测量扩散性底栖氧交换和沉积物氧渗透深度。高分辨率数码相机将提供促成通量的沉积物表面积的时间序列图像。测量海底氧交换率的新系统将在该项目期间以完全自主的方式使用，但如果通过电缆连接到沿海观测站的海底节点，也将设计成接收电力和传输数据。BOXER测量将在2008年7月至2009年12月期间至少按季节进行，但在一年中的部分时间也会在较短的时间尺度上进行。通过将这些测量与其他海洋学观测和实地项目的网络相协调，PI将解决以下假设：底栖生物交换率是随时间变化的，并受春季过渡（风）和与上升流事件（碳通量）相关的浮游生物大量繁殖等强迫事件的可预测控制。更广泛的影响这里提出的综合测量以及与其他以俄勒冈州大陆架为重点的项目的联系和合作将提供关于大陆架氧和碳交换动态的新的有价值的信息。这项工作代表了一个开拓性的努力，在适应涡相关的长期监测设施，这是唯一的方法来深入了解季节性元素循环在这些重要的环境。该项目具有很大的潜力，可以作为教育和培训学生的平台。PI在培养优秀科学家方面有着出色的记录。接待REU学生并将其中一些工作融入海洋技术课程，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.