Initial development of a compact in-situ sensor for measuring the 13C isotope ratio of DIC in the ocean

测量海洋中溶解的无机碳的碳13同位素比率的能力可以有助于浮游植物吸收二氧化碳、海洋吸收人为二氧化碳、海底热液系统的生物地球化学以及气候研究的研究。这种传感器的应用存在于实验室和现场，以及从沿海水域到深海的各种位置。该传感器将有助于更好地了解全球碳循环和生物地球化学过程。该传感器将为开发可针对其他气体的原位同位素传感器奠定基础，并将对其他领域（例如行星海洋勘探、生物医学应用和工业应用）的传感器产生影响。为了进一步扩大对海洋科学、技术和工程领域的参与，高中生和本科生将通过实验室的研究机会获得指导。通过既定计划，本科生将被带入实验室进行暑期研究体验。通过与当地学校建立的联系，高中生将接受研究项目的指导。 PI 将开发一种基于空心纤维的传感方法，用于溶解无机碳的原位分析。这种传感方法将依赖于空心光纤的吸收光谱，并将应用于溶解相气体传感。利用最近开发的原位甲烷检测传感器的核心设计（已在深达 2000 米的深度进行了验证），空心纤维将用于实验室中的同位素分析，这是开发原位系统的关键的第一步。由于纤维固有的微小性质，利用空心纤维方法将使传感器变得更小。更小的传感器的开发将使更多的平台能够用于未来的部署。该奖项反映了 NSF 的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的智力优点和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

The ability to measure the carbon-13 isotope ratio of dissolved inorganic carbon in the ocean could contribute to studies on carbon dioxide uptake by phytoplankton, the ocean’s uptake of anthropogenic carbon dioxide, the biogeochemistry of hydrothermal systems on the seafloor, and climate research. Applications of such a sensor exist in the laboratory and field, and in locations ranging from coastal waters to the deep ocean. This sensor will enable an improved understanding of the global carbon cycle and biogeochemical processes. This sensor will lay the foundation for developing in situ isotope sensors that can target other gases and will have impact on sensors for other fields (for example, planetary ocean exploration, biomedical applications and industrial applications). To further broaden participation in ocean science, technology, and engineering fields, high school and undergraduate students will be mentored through research opportunities in the laboratory. Through established programs undergraduate students will be brought into the lab for summer research experiences. Through established connections with local schools, high school students will be mentored on research projects. The PIs will develop a hollow core fiber-based sensing approach for the in situ analysis of dissolved inorganic carbon. This sensing approach will rely on absorption spectroscopy in hollow core optical fibers and will have application to dissolved-phase gas sensing. Utilizing the core design of a recently developed sensor for in situ methane detection, that was demonstrated at depths of up to 2000 m, hollow core fibers will be used for isotope analysis in the laboratory, a key first step towards developing an in situ system. Utilization of the hollow core fiber approach, will enable sensors to be made smaller, due to the inherent minute nature of the fibers. The development of smaller sensors will enable additional platforms to be used for deployments in the future.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.