Collaborative Research: An autonomous indicator-based pH sensor for oceanographic research and monitoring

全球海洋pH值的变化可能对整个生态系统产生影响（珊瑚漂白等）。并被确认为一个？慢性危害？与碳循环有关。除了pCO 2之外，还需要pH值或其他碳系统测量，以完全表征海洋中溶解的无机碳系统。?全球海洋碳观测系统背景报告？（UNESCO 2002）建议对碳酸盐系统进行采样（DIC、碱度、pCO 2、pH）。在先前的资助下，美国开发了一种基于简单而强大的技术的pH传感器，该技术可以很容易地进行质量控制。SAMI-pH传感器为海水pH值的自主测量提供了一种强大的方法。该仪器可用于无机碳定量、CO2酸化研究和海洋地球化学过程研究。该仪器还可应用于淡水研究和监测以及工业监测。该项目的目标是：1）提高SAMI光学性能; 2）最小化pH扰动; 3）最小化分析时间; 4）提高组装、操作和故障排除的容易性; 5）降低功耗;和6）实施现场质量控制。更广泛的影响该项目的资金将使海洋学家和其他对稳定，准确和精确的pH值测量。 通过在海洋中部署这些仪器，将获得长期的pH值数据，这将有助于科学界了解从大气中吸收二氧化碳是如何改变海水pH值的。 作为该项目的一部分开发的通用传感器技术将使依赖自动化，高质量化学测量的其他研究和商业部门受益。 参与该项目的博士后，研究生和本科生将增加美国在环境应用传感器开发方面的专业知识，这是一个迫切需要的领域。

Changes in pH of the global ocean can have ecosystem wide impact (coral bleaching etc.) and is identified as a ?chronic hazard? related to the carbon cycle. pH or another carbon system measurement besides pCO2 is required to completely characterize the dissolved inorganic carbon system in the ocean. ?The Global Ocean Carbon Observation System ? A Background Report? (UNESCO 2002) recommends sampling the carbonate system (DIC, alkalinity, pCO2, pH).The PI?s with previous funding have developed a pH sensor based on a simple and robust technology that can be readily quality controlled. The SAMI-pH sensor offers a powerful method for autonomous measurements of seawater pH. The instrument can be used for inorganic carbon quantification, CO2 acidification studies, and biogeochemical process studies. The instrument may also find applications in freshwater research and monitoring and industrial monitoringThe current funding will be used to transition the SAMI-pH sensor to commercial status. The goals for this project are to: 1) Improve SAMI optical performance; 2) Minimize pH perturbation; 3) Minimize analysis time; 4) Improve ease of assembly, operation and troubleshooting; 5) Reduce power consumption; and 6) Implement in situ quality control.Broader ImpactsFunding for this project will make an autonomous pH instrument commercially-available to oceanographers and other researchers interested in stable, accurate and precise pH measurements. By deploying the instruments in the ocean, long-term pH data will be obtained that will help the scientific community understand how CO2 absorption from the atmosphere is changing seawater pH. These results will guide policy makers charged to determine time-frames for CO2 remediation. General sensor technology developed as part of this project will benefit other research and commercial sectors that rely upon automated, high quality, chemical measurements. Post-doctoral, graduate and undergraduate students who participate in the project will increase the U.S. expertise in sensor development for environmental applications, an area of critical need.