Document Type

Article

Publication Title

Sensors (Switzerland)

Rights and Access Note

This Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights. You are free to use this item in any way that is permitted by copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. Rights assessment remains the responsibility of the researcher. In addition, no permission is required from the rights-holder(s) for non-commercial uses.

Publication Date

1-1-2013

First Page

7872

Last Page

7883

Issue Number

6

Volume Number

13

Abstract/ Summary

Chlorophyll a fluorometry has long been used as a method to study phytoplankton in the ocean. In situ fluorometry is used frequently in oceanography to provide depth-resolved estimates of phytoplankton biomass. However, the high price of commercially manufactured in situ fluorometers has made them unavailable to some individuals and institutions. Presented here is an investigation into building an in situ fluorometer using low cost electronics. The goal was to construct an easily reproducible in situ fluorometer from simple and widely available electronic components. The simplicity and modest cost of the sensor makes it valuable to students and professionals alike. Open source sharing of architecture and software will allow students to reconstruct and customize the sensor on a small budget. Research applications that require numerous in situ fluorometers or expendable fluorometers can also benefit from this study. The sensor costs US$150.00 and can be constructed with little to no previous experience. The sensor uses a blue LED to excite chlorophyll a and measures fluorescence using a silicon photodiode. The sensor is controlled by an Arduino microcontroller that also serves as a data logger. © 2013 by the authors; licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.

Citation/Publisher Attribution

Leeuw, T., E. S. Boss, and D. L. Wright, 2013. In situ Measurements of phytoplankton fluorescence using low cost electronics. Sensors, 13, 7872-7883, doi:10.3390/s130607872

Publisher Statement

©2013 The Authors

DOI

10.3390/s130607872

Version

publisher's version of the published document

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In Copyright - Educational Use Permitted.