An in situ instrument for planar O-2 optode measurements at benthic interfaces

Citation
Rn. Glud et al., An in situ instrument for planar O-2 optode measurements at benthic interfaces, LIMN OCEAN, 46(8), 2001, pp. 2073-2080
Citations number
26
Language
INGLESE
art.tipo
Article
Categorie Soggetti
Aquatic Sciences
Journal title
LIMNOLOGY AND OCEANOGRAPHY
ISSN journal
0024-3590 → ACNP
Volume
46
Issue
8
Year of publication
2001
Pages
2073 - 2080
Database
ISI
SICI code
0024-3590(200112)46:8<2073:AISIFP>2.0.ZU;2-Z
Abstract
A new in situ instrument for two-dimensional mapping of oxygen in coastal s ediments is presented. The measuring principle is described, and potential mechanical disturbances, solute and particle smearing associated with the m easurements, and calibration routines are evaluated. The first in situ meas urements obtained in two different benthic communities are presented. In a shallow photosynthetic sediment (1 m of water depth), an extensive horizont al and temporal variation in the O-2 distribution caused by benthic photosy nthesis and irrigating fauna was resolved. Repetitive planar optode measure ments performed along a transect in central Oresund, Denmark (17 in of wate r depth) revealed a positive correlation between the apparent O-2 penetrati on depths (OP) measured with a lateral distance <5.0 mm, whereas OP measure d with a larger horizontal distance (up to 50 m) were not correlated. Conse quently, the OP varied in patches with a characteristic size of 5.0 min. Th e instrument described is a powerful new tool for in situ characterization of spatiotemporal variations in O-2 distributions within benthic communitie s. The instrument can be adapted for use at full ocean depths, e.g., on dee p-sea landers or remote operating vehicles.