Exploring Ocean Biogeochemistry Using a Lab-on-Chip Phosphate Analyser on an Underwater Glider
The ability to make measurements of phosphate (PO43-) concentrations at temporal and spatial scales beyond those offered by shipboard observations offers new opportunities for investigations of the marine phosphorus cycle. We here report the first in situ PO43- dataset from an underwater glider (Kon...
| Published in: | Frontiers in Marine Science |
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| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , , |
| Format: | Article in Journal/Newspaper |
| Language: | English |
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Frontiers Media
2021
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://publications.hereon.de/id/40212 https://publications.hzg.de/id/40212 https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2021.698102 |
| Summary: | The ability to make measurements of phosphate (PO43-) concentrations at temporal and spatial scales beyond those offered by shipboard observations offers new opportunities for investigations of the marine phosphorus cycle. We here report the first in situ PO43- dataset from an underwater glider (Kongsberg Seaglider) equipped with a PO43- Lab-on-Chip (LoC) analyser. Over 44 days, a 120 km transect was conducted in the northern North Sea during late summer (August and September). Surface depletion of PO43- (<0.2 µM) was observed above a seasonal thermocline, with elevated, but variable concentrations within the bottom mixed layer (0.30-0.65 µM). Part of the variability in the bottom layer is attributed to the regional circulation and across shelf exchange, with the highest PO43- concentrations being associated with elevated salinities in northernmost regions, consistent with nutrient rich North Atlantic water intruding onto the shelf. Our study represents a significant step forward in AUV sensor capabilities and presents new capability to extend research into the marine phosphorous cycle and, when combined with other recent Lab-on-Chip developments, nutrient stoichiometry. |
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