MRI RAPID: Acquisition of an Integrated Detection and Oil Sampling Array in Louisiana Estuaries

路易斯安那大学海洋联盟（LUMCON）获得的这项主要研究仪器奖资助了一套自动水采样阵列，以加强对深水地平线石油泄漏及其对路易斯安那州沿海生态系统影响的科学响应。该阵列包括六个自动遥测能力的ISCO水采样器与数据记录仪，与YSI探空仪和特纳设计的Cyclops油荧光计完全集成。当油的荧光增加到超过设定的阈值时，传感器与水样器的组合允许自动触发样品。远程采样将提供更好的时间和空间分辨率，以便了解河口环境何时受到影响，以及石油对生态系统过程的短期和长期影响，这些生态系统过程包括生物地球化学循环、浮游植物、浮游动物和这些关键沿海生态系统中的幼虫的组成和分布。通过NSF-RAPID机制，这项投资的预期结果是及时和关键的信息，为应对石油泄漏的政策和补救工作提供信息。传感器阵列也将被纳入LUMCON教育活动。这些研究的结果将通过参加区域和国家科学会议以及通过计划与受影响公民举行的区域外联会议，在同行评议的期刊出版物中传播。

This Major Research Instrumentation award to the Louisiana Universities Marine Consortium (LUMCON) funds the acquisition of an automated water sampling array to enhance the scientific response to the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill and its effects on coastal ecosystems in Louisiana. The array consists of six automated telemetry capable ISCO water samplers with data loggers that are fully integrated with YSI sondes and Turner Designs Cyclops Oil Fluorometers. The combination of sensors with the water samplers permits automated sample triggering when oil fluorescence increases above a programmed threshold. The remote sampling will allow better temporal and spatial resolution as to when the estuarine environments are impacted and the short and long term impacts of the oil on ecosystem processes that range from biogeochemical cycling to composition and distribution of phytoplankton, zooplankton and larvae that reside in these critical coastal ecosystems. An expected result of this investment, through the NSF-RAPID mechanism, is timely and critical information to inform policy and remediation efforts in response to the oil spill. The sensor array will also be incorporated into the LUMCON educational activities. Results from the studies will be disseminated in peer-reviewed journal publications, though participation at regional and national scientific meetings and through planned regional outreach meetings with affected citizens.