ROV-based System for Sampling Planktonic Thin Layers

PI‘s建议开发一种系统，该系统可以控制其相对于移动表面(如等孔板)的位置，并在规定的密度区间内从浮游层中提取大量水。这种抽样是基于一种经过良好测试的远程操作飞行器(ROV)上的系统，该飞行器被称为幻影。他们将在车辆上安装CTD和颗粒传感器，并使用CTD的反馈来控制ROV相对于已识别的密度区间的位置。控制软件将允许ROV上的延伸臂保持在选定的密度区间内，同时从层中提取多升水。该系统在ROV上将有两个不同的水样采样系统：一个将最多50个1升样本泵入单独的采样容器，而另一个系统将通过连接到ROV脐带的软管连续泵入水面。成像光学和声学传感器将描述聚集在薄层附近的较大浮游生物的特征。拟议的采样系统将允许对浮游薄层及其周围发现的生物进行实验工作和生态分析，并将对我们理解这些无处不在的特征的重要性产生重大影响。更广泛的影响这项建议提供了薄层现象构成的下一步，并遵循了一条追求领域进步的合乎逻辑的道路。基本数据和知识与环境参数相关，而PI则被很好地放置在适当的社区中。这项工作应该为当前和未来对薄层的研究提供指导。通过这种方式，其他研究人员可以从提议的研究提出的方法中受益。外展活动包括将结果传播到成人教育项目。

The PI's propose to develop a system that can control its position relative to a moving surface (such as an isopycnal) and withdraw significant volumes of water from a planktonic layer within a defined density interval. This sampling is based system on a well-tested, remotely operated vehicle (ROV) known as the Phantom. They will install a CTD and particulate sensors on the vehicle and use the feedback from the CTD to control the position of the ROV relative to an identified density interval. The control software will allow an extension arm on the ROV to stay within the selected density interval while multiple liters of water is extracted from the layer. The system will have two distinct water sampling systems on the ROV: one will pump up to 50 1-liter samples into individual sampling containers, while the other system will pump continuously to the surface through a hose coupled to the umbilical of the ROV. Imaging optics and acoustic transducers will characterize the larger plankton aggregated near the thin layers. The proposed sampling system will permit experimental work and ecological analyses of the organisms found within and around planktonic thin layers, and will have significant impact on our understanding of the importance of these ubiquitous features. Broader ImpactsThis proposal offers a next step in the composition of thin layer phenomenon and follows a logical path in the pursuit of advancing the field. The basic data and knowledge is correlated with environmental parameters while the PI's are well placed within the appropriate community. The work should provide guidance for current and future research into the thin layers. In this way, other researchers can benefit from the methods advanced by the proposed research. Outreach includes dissemination of the results to an adult education program.