Development of a field prototype carbon dioxide measuring device for Canadian natural waters - IISD Experimental Lakes Area

IISD实验湖区(IISD-ELA)位于加拿大安大略省西北部，靠近马尼托巴省西部边界，由58个不受人类活动影响的小湖泊及其流域组成。这些湖泊被留出来进行科学研究，科学家们在那里操纵它们，以检查生态系统不同方面的变化。这些湖泊可以进行真实世界的研究，与实验室实验相比，这些研究得出了更准确的结果。IISD-ELA的结果构成了政府和行业数十亿美元决策的基础，特别是在政策决策、安全法规和加拿大淡水保护方面。IISD-ELA正在与加拿大的初创组织Lab 4 Instruments合作开发一种二氧化碳测量设备的现场原型，该设备有可能在其当前的地理覆盖范围内、跨加拿大内陆水域和其他地方部署。该团队花费了大量的时间和资源来确定测量设备的基本功能、概念和工作原理。然而，该团队在该设备的现场原型的制造、集成和计算机编程方面需要额外的帮助，以提高用于测试目的的技术准备。因此，IISD-ELA和实验室4仪器将与红河学院理工学院航空航天和制造技术接入中心(TACAM)的研究人员合作开发现场原型设备。TACAM团队将在设备的机械设计、制造、组装、集成和编程方面贡献专业知识。IISD-ELA有能力立即使用这项研究的结果，并部署传感器进行现场测试，具有在加拿大国内外使用商业产品的潜力。自然水域中的二氧化碳浓度对大多数水生动物的食物网有直接影响，从而支持世界渔业。保持大气和水体之间气体的双向流动也很重要，以维持生态系统内的平衡。通过该设备测量的数据将有助于制定影响社区(包括土著社区和行业)的政策、法规和决策，并将加拿大置于气候变化倡议的前面。

IISD Experimental Lakes Area (IISD-ELA), located in Northwest Ontario, Canada, and close to Manitoba's border on the West, comprises of 58 small lakes and their watersheds that are not affected by human activities. The lakes are set aside for scientific research where they are manipulated by scientists to examine changes in the different aspects of the ecosystem. The lakes enable real-world studies that result in more accurate findings as compared to laboratory experiments. Results from IISD-ELA have formed the basis of billion dollar-decisions by governments and industries, specifically in policy decision-making, safety regulations and conservation of Canadian freshwater.IISD-ELA is collaborating with a Canada-based start-up organization, Lab 4 Instruments to develop a field prototype of a carbon dioxide measuring device with potential for deployment within its current geographic reach and across Canada's inland waters, and elsewhere. The team has spent considerable amount of time and resources in determining the basic functionalities, concepts and working principles of the measuring device. However, the team needs additional help in the manufacturing, integration, and computer programing of the field prototype of the device to advance the technology readiness for testing purposes. Therefore, IISD-ELA and Lab 4 Instruments will be working with researchers at the Technology Access Centre for Aerospace and Manufacturing (TACAM) at Red River College Polytechnic in the development of the field prototype device. The TACAM team will contribute expertise in mechanical design, fabrication, assembly, integration, and programming of the device. IISD-ELA has the capacity to use the results of this research immediately and deploy the sensor for field testing, with potential for the commercial product to be used within and outside Canada. Carbon dioxide concentration in natural waters have direct impacts on the food webs for most aquatic animals, supporting world's fisheries. It is also important to maintaining a bidirectional flux of the gas between the atmosphere and water bodies to maintain equilibrium within the ecosystem. Data measured from this device will be useful for developing policies, regulations and decisions that impact communities, including indigenous communities, and industries, and place Canada ahead of climate change initiatives.