Instruments and Sensors Directory

Home

This directory provides information about sensors and instruments developed and used by the ocean carbon research community. We try to list hardware that is available "off the shelf". Occasionally we decide to list instruments / sensors that are not yet commercially available but underwent substantial tests and can be obtained from developers. Information provided by developers and commercial partners might sporadically become out-dated. Please contact us with suggestions for updates. IOCCP does not, in any way, "endorse" hardware listed below. To add a sensor or instrument to this directory, please contact the IOCCP Office at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

sensors

Dissolved Inorganic Carbon instruments

Marianda Company VINDTA 3C system

Brief Description:

The Versatile INstrument for the Determination of Total inorganic carbon and titration Alkalinity (VINDTA) combines the alkalinity titration concept with a simplified extraction unit for coulometric DIC measurements; 3 samples / hour.

Platforms:

discrete sampling

More information and contact

VINDTA 3C; Dr. Ludger Mintrop (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.)

References:

Marianda Company VINDTA 3D system

Brief Description	In principle the VINDTA 3D is a DIC part of the VINDTA 3C. DIC by coulometric titration; 4 samples / hour. Precision typically +/- 1 μmol kg-1 in open ocean water.
Platforms:	discrete sampling, underway systems
More information and contact	VINDTA 3D; Dr. Ludger Mintrop (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.)

References:

Marianda Company AIRICA system

Brief Description:

The Automated Infra Red Inorganic Carbon Analyzer (AIRICA) is based on the IR-detection of CO₂ purged from acidified sample ; 6-10 samples/hour, sample volume < 10 ml.

Platforms:

discrete sampling

More information and contact

AIRICA; Dr. Ludger Mintrop (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.)

References:

Apollo SciTech Inc. DIC Analyser AS-C3

Brief Description:

LI7000 based. Uses small sample volume (< 1 ml) and takes 6 minutes per analysis. Advantageous for analysis of coastal waters, sediment porewaters and time series incubation water samples.

Platforms:

discrete sampling

More information and contact

DIC Analyzer AS-C3 ; email Amy Chen: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

References:

Nihon ANS Co.

Brief Description:

Coulometer for DIC analyses (does not include sample handling or gas extraction); Repeatability of ±0.019% (152.30 ± 0.03 μg C; n=58) was attained when successively analyzing the ~30cm3 of 1% CO₂ in air (at T / K =293.15 and P / hPa =1013.25). Repeatability of ±0.6 μmol kg-1 was estimated from 188 pairs of replicate analyses on board R/V Mirai during its WHP P21 cruise conducted in 2009.

Platforms:

discrete sampling

More information and contact

It's a rather small company with no website but their instruments are widely used and recommended by Japanese colleagues. Individual request procedure is preferred by NIHON. As of September 2014 please direct your communication simultaneously to: Dr Masao Ishii at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , Mr Akihiro Kudo at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and Mrs Corazon Abe at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

References:

RETURN

TOTAL Alkalinity Instruments

Apollo SciTech, Inc. Alkalinity Titrator AS-ALK2

Brief Description

Total Alkalinity by open cell potentiometric (Gran) titration Small sample volume (12-25 ml), 8 minutes per titration

Platforms:

discrete sampling

More information and contact

AS-ALK2 Titrator; email Amy Chen: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

References:

Marianda Company VINDTA 3S system

Brief Description:

Alkalinity by open cell potentiometric titration 3-4 samples / hour.

Platforms:

discrete sampling

More information and contact

VINDTA 3S; Dr. Ludger Mintrop (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.)

References:

contros hydrofia TA

Brief Description:

A defined amount of seawater is acidified using diluted hydrochloric acid (HCI). After acidification the generated CO₂in the sample is removed resulting in a so called open-cell titration. The subsequent pH determination is carried out by means of an indicator dye and VIS absorption spectrometry. Together with salinity and temperature the resulting pH is directly used for the calculation of TA.

Platforms:

discrete sampling

More information and contact

More info: HydroFIA TA; Contact: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.; This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. For general enquires click HERE.

References:

SCripps total alkalinity titration system (dickson titrator)

Brief Description:

This titration system implements a modified version of a published potentiometric titration method (Dickson et al., 2003) that has been detailed in SOP 3b of the Guide to Best Practices for Ocean CO₂ Measurements (Dickson et al. (2007)). A known amount of sample is acidified to a pH of ~3.6, the evolved CO₂ is removed, and the titration continued to a pH of ~3. The equivalence point corresponding to the total alkalinity is evaluated from titration points in the pH region 3.0 – 3.5 using a non-linear least-squares procedure that corrects for the reactions with sulfate and fluoride ions that are present in the seawater.

Platforms:

discrete sampling

More information and contact

For more information please see the pdf Scripps TA Titration System brochure, as well as the introduction to the pdf Scripps TA Titration System Manual.

Contact: Professor Andrew G. Dickson; email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.;

Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California, San Diego

Alkalinity reference materials, and calibrated titration acid available from: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

References:

Dickson, A.G., Afghan, J.D. and Anderson, G.C., 2003. Reference materials for oceanic CO₂ analysis: a method for the certification of total alkalinity. Marine Chemistry, 80(2), pp.185-197.

RETURN

_pCO₂ Sensors and instruments

Battelle Seaology _PCO₂ monitoring System

Brief Description

Measures both surface air and aqueous pCO₂ concentrations (LiCor NDIR based). Precision is <1ppm. Daily data transmission via Iridium satellite. Sampling frequency is every 3 hours over 400 days without maintenance; frequency is fully adjustable and can be modified remotely via satellite. Zero and span gas calibrations with every sample. Demonstrated capability of more than 12 months of autonomous operation. Modular design allows buoy platform flexibility. Can interface with up to three additional sensors. Designed by MBARI ; Enhanced by NOAA ; Manufactured and Commercialized by Battelle.

Platforms:

underway systems, moorings, drifters

More information and contact

pCO₂ Monitoring System Mark Davis (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.)

References:

Sutton, A. J., Sabine, C. L., Maenner-Jones, S., Lawrence-Slavas, N., Meinig, C., Feely, R. A., Mathis, J. T., Musielewicz, S., Bott, R., McLain, P. D., Fought, H. J., and Kozyr, A.: A high-frequency atmospheric and seawater pCO₂ data set from 14 open-ocean sites using a moored autonomous system, Earth Syst. Sci. Data, 6, 353-366, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-6-353-2014, 2014.

Pro-OCEANUS Systems: CO₂-Pro^TM

Brief Description:

Measures pCO₂ concentration by IR detection and features an automatic zero point compensation to maintain long-term stability with minimal signal drift. The sensor equilibrates a gas headspace with surrounding water using a patented supported tubular water-pumped interface that minimizes biofouling.

Platforms:

underway systems, moorings

More information and contact

CO₂-PRO; Mark Barry (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.)

References:

Jiang, Z.-P., Hydes, D. J., Tyrrell, T., Hartman, S. E., Hartman, M. C., Campbell, J. M., Johnson, B. D., Schofield, B., Turk, D., Wallace, D., Burt, W., Thomas, H., Cosca, C., and Feely, R.: Application and assessment of a membrane-based pCO₂ sensor under field and laboratory conditions. Limnology and Oceanography Methods, 12, 264-280, 2014.

Pro-OCEANUS Systems: CO₂-Pro CV^TM

Brief Description:	Compact version of the CO₂-PRO with same accuracy and stability. Compared to the CO₂-Pro, it is smaller, lower cost, and has optional depth capability to 4000 meters.
Platforms:	moorings, profiling platforms, underway systems
More information and contact	CO₂-PRO CV; Mark Barry (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.)

References:

Pro-OCEANUS Systems: CO₂-PRO Atmosphere^TM

Brief Description:	Measures pCO₂ concentration of both surface water and overlying air by IR detection and features an automatic zero point compensation to maintain long-term stability with minimal signal drift. The sensor combines the CO₂-Pro with an air-side intake for measurement of air pCO₂ to determine air-sea fluxes of CO₂. Options for mounting to surface drifters and gliders are also available.
Platforms:	buoys, underway systems, surface gliders
More information and contact	CO₂-PRO Atmosphere; Mark Barry (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.)

References:

Pro-OCEANUS Systems: Mini CO₂^TM

Brief Description:	A versatile pCO₂ sensor with reduced accuracy and stability. Ideal for educational applications and general monitoring. The Mini CO₂ sensor can be used as a standalone handheld probe for spot measurements, or integrated into larger platforms.
Platforms:	gliders, AUVs, handheld probe
More information and contact	Mini CO₂; Mark Barry (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.)

References:

General Oceanics GO _pCO₂ system

Brief Description:

pCO2 by LICOR IR detection. Designed for longterm installation and unattended use on research vessels or VOS ships

Platforms:

underway systems

More information and contact

http://www.generaloceanics.com, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. See also: Craig Neill, University of Bergen

References:

apollo scitech inc. _pco₂ system (as-p2)

Brief Description:

The Apollo SciTech's Underway pCO₂ system, model AS-P2 has been developed and tested for underway measurements (i.e., real-time while the vessel is sailing) of the partial pressure of CO₂ (pCO₂) and dissolved oxygen (DO) in surface water, atmospheric CO₂ as well as water salinity, temperature and position. Water sample is forced into the equilibrator by a shipboard pump. Equilibrated air is drawn from the equilibrator and dried with an electronic cooling system. It is then quantified with an infrared CO₂ analyzer (LI7000) before sending back to the equilibrator. The shower-head equilibrator is effective (response time 2 min). The equilibrator is completely sealed from the outside room air. It has been tested in both high (up to 4000 µatm) and low (less than 100 µatm) pCO₂ environments.

Platforms:

underway systems

More information and contact

http://www.apolloscitech.com/PCO2.htm Contact: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

References:

Sunburst Sensors: SAMI-CO₂

Brief Description:

Autonomous indicator-based sensors for measurement of the partial pressure of CO₂ of seawater. Temperature is also measured. Low power for long-term (>1 year) deployments. Accomodates up to 3 additional sensors such as PAR, O₂ optodes, beam-c transmissometers, and chl-a fluorometers. Optional anti-fouling configuration for extreme fouling environments. Underway and in situ configurations available.

Platforms:

underway systems, moorings, drifters

More information and contact

SAMI-CO2; This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

References:

DeGrandpre, M.D., Baehr, M.M. and T.R. Hammar. (1999). Calibration-free optical chemical sensors. Anal. Chem., 71, 1152-1159. DeGrandpre, M.D., Hammar, T.R., Smith, S.P., and F.L. Sayles. (1995). In situ measurements of seawater pCO2. Limnol. Oceanog., 40, 969-975.

Sunburst Sensors: Superco₂ system

Brief Description:

The Shipboard Underway pCO2 Environmental Recorder (SuperCO2) is designed for automated shipboard analysis of seawater and atmospheric CO2. Built around LI-COR 840A, analyzes CO2 levels every 2 seconds. The system periodically runs 3-4 standard gases to calibrate NDIR system. Can support a Seabird thermosalinograph and other analog output sensors by special order.

Platforms:

underway systems

More information and contact

SuperCO2 System; This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

References:

Sunburst Sensors: AFT-CO₂

Brief Description:

Based on the same technology as the SAMI-CO2, packaged to be plumbed into a line on a research vessel. Runs autonomously with own data logging interface or can be connected to a PC if real-time data is required. Uses colorimetric reagent method with traceable accuracy of +/- 3 µatm.

Platforms:

underway systems, moorings, drifters

More information and contact

AFT-CO2; This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

References:

Kimoto Air-Marine CO₂ Automatic Monitoring System

Brief Description:

NDIR-based; continuous flow-through system wtih tandem type gas-liquied equilibrator

Platforms:

underway systems

More information and contact

Air -Ocean Carbon Dioxide Monitor; This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

References:

Chierici, M.; Fransson, A. and Nojiri, Y., (2006), Biogeochemical processes as drivers of surface fCO2 in contrasting provinces in the subarctic North Pacific Ocean, Global Biogeochem. Cycles 20 GB1009 doi:10.1029/2004GB002356. Murphy, P.P.; Nojiri, Y.; Fujinuma, Y.; Wong, C.S.; Zeng, J.; Kimoto, T. and Kimoto, H., (2001), Measurements of Surface Seawater fCO2 from Volunteer Commercial Ships: Techniques and Experiences from Skaugran, J. Atmos. Ocn. Tech. 18 1719-1734. Nakaoka, S., Nojiri, Y. Miyazaki, C. Tsumori, H. and Mukai, H., (2009) Variations of oceanic pCO2 and air-sea CO2 flux in the North Pacific Ocean since 1995, Proceeding of 8th International Carbon Dioxide Conference, T2-059, Jena, Germany.

Kimoto Portable carbon dioxide analyzer

Brief Description:	Lightweight, low power consumption with high precision, two-point calibrated measurements
Platforms:	underway systems
More information and contact	Portable Carbon Dioxide Analyzer; This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

References:

CONTROS HydroC CO₂ Sensor

Brief Description:

Optical, headspace-based underwater sensor for the measurement of the partial pressure of carbon dioxide (pCO₂). Within the HydroC a headspace is realized in the form of an equilibrated gas stream in which the CO₂ concentration is measured optically by means of non-dispersive infrared (NDIR) absorption spectrometry. Latest developments using an external pump have decreased response time to 60s. The HydroC has an internal zeroing procedure, is pressure resistant to 6.000m water depth and available with an internal data logger, as flow-through model and arctic version.

Platforms:

AUVs, ROVs, Gliders, Moorings

More information and contact

More info: HydroCCO₂; Contact: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.; This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. For general enquires click HERE.

References:

- Fietzek, P. and Körtzinger, A. (2009) Optimization of a Membrane-Based NDIR Sensor for Dissolved Carbon Dioxide In: Proceedings of OceanObs'09: Sustained Ocean Observations and Information for Society, 21.-25.09.2009, Venice, Italy.

- Fietzek, P., B. Fiedler, T. Steinhoff, and A. Körtzinger (2014). In situ accuracy assessment of a novel underwater pCO₂ sensor based on membrane equilibration and NDIR spectrometry. J. Atm. Ocean. Techn. 31, 181-196.

- Fiedler, B., P. Fietzek, N. Vieira, P. Silva, H.C. Bittig, and A. Körtzinger (2013). In situ CO₂ and O₂ measurements on a profiling float. J. Atm. Ocean. Techn. 30, 112-126, DOI: 10.1175/JTECH-D-12-00043.1.

CONTROS HydroC CO₂ Flow Through Sensor

Brief Description:

Water is pumped through the flow head of the HydroC CO₂ FT sensor. Dissolved gases diffuse through a specialized thin film composite membrane into the internal gas circuit leading to a detector chamber, where the partial pressure of CO₂ is determined by means of IR absorption spectrometry. Concentration dependent IR light intensities are converted into the output signal, which is either transmitted by cable or saved on an internal data logger.

Platforms:

underway systems

More information and contact

More info: HydroCCO₂FT; Contact: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.; This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. For general enquires click HERE.

References:

SubCtech OceanPack System

Brief Description:

Flow through pCO2 system for underway measurements with high performance dual beam NDIR detector behind a silicon membrane. Resolution < 1 uatm; accuracy +/- 3uatm, time response 1 minute.

Platforms:

Underway

More information and contact

http://subctech.eu; email Stefan Marx (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.)

References:

Picarro CO₂ System

Brief Description:

The Picarro G1200 CO₂/H₂O Analyzer is a real time, trace gas monitor capable of measuring these gases parts-per-billion (ppbv) sensitivity. The analyzer is based on Picarro’s unique Wavelength-Scanned Cavity Ring Down Spectroscopy (WS-CRDS), a time-based measurement utilizing a near-infrared laser to measure a spectral signature of the molecule.

Platforms:

underway, surface mooring

More information and contact

http://www.picarro.com/gas_analyzers/carbon_dioxide; email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

References:

Marianda Company SUNDANS system

Brief Description	The Surface UNderway carbon Dioxide prtial pressure ANalySer (SUNDANS) measures pCO2 by LICOR IR detection (sea surface + atmosphere), barometric pressure, position (GPS); Designed for temporary use on resaerch vessels (not VOS), where minimum service is possible; small size and weight for easy transport and installation on small vessels. Prototype / under tests at sea; commercial system for late 2008.
Platforms:	underway systems on research vessels
More information and contact	SUNDANS; Dr. Ludger Mintrop (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.)

References:

Turner Designs C-sense™ in situ pCO₂ Sensor

Brief Description	C-sense™ probes are compact, lightweight sensors for measurement of the partial pressure of gas in liquids. Designed for applications involving immersion in water, oil, or water and oil mixtures, the sensors combine an oil-resistant interface with a compact, temperature-compensated non-dispersive infrared (NDIR) detector. Designed for integration, C-sense™ enables pCO₂ monitoring at a significantly lower price than traditional pCO₂ sensors.
Platforms:
More information and contact:	C-sense™ in situ pCO₂ Sensor; Contact: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

References:

RETURN

_pCO₂: Custom Sensors

University of East Anglia System

Brief Description:

Instrument measuring xCO₂ in seawater and overlying atmosphere; detection is NDIR-based and seawater xCO₂ determined by equilibration. Additionally, temperature, salinity and oxygen, are measured in seawater.

Platforms:

underway systems

More information and contact

Ute Schuster, University of Exeter, UK, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

References:

Cooper, D.J., A.J. Watson, and R.D. Ling (1998) Variation of pCO₂ along a North Atlantic shipping route (U.K. to the Caribbean): A year of automated observations. Marine Chemistry, 60, 147-164. Schuster, U. and A.J. Watson (2007) A variable and decreasing sink for anthropogenic CO₂ in the North Atlantic. Journal of Geophysical Research-Oceans, vol. 112, C1106, doi: 10.1029/2006JC003941.

RETURN

_pH: Commercial Sensors

Sunburst SAMI-_pH sensor

Brief Description

Autonomous indicator-based sensors for measurement of
seawater pH. pH range 7.5-8.5; Accuracy 0.002; precision <0.001.
Accomodates up to 3 additional sensors such as PAR, O2 optodes, beam-c
transmissometers, and chl-a fluorometers. Underway and in situ
configurations available.

Platforms:

underway systems, moorings, drifters

More information and contact

http://www.sunburstsensors.com/; Jim Beck (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.)

References:

Seidel, M.P., DeGrandpre, M.D. and A.G. Dickson. (2008). A sensor for in situ indicator-based measurements of seawater pH, Mar. Chem., 109, 18–28. Martz, T.R., Carr, J.J., French, C.R. and M.D. DeGrandpre. (2003). A submersible autonomous sensor for spectrophotometric pH measurements of natural waters. Anal. Chem., 75,1844-1850.

SATLANTIC Seafet _pH sensor

Brief Description

The SeaFET^TM Ocean pH sensor is an ion selective field effect transistor (ISFET) type sensor for accurate long-term pH measurements in salt water. Measurement range 6.5-9.0 pH; Initial accuracy 0.05 (estimated); Typical stability 0.005/month (estimated).

Platforms:

underway systems, moorings, drifters

More information and contact

http://satlantic.com/seafet

References:

- Martz, T., Connery J.G., Johnson, K.S (2010) Testing the Honeywell Durafet® for seawater pH applications Limnol. Oceanogr 172-184, doi:10.4319/lom.2010.8.172.

- Bresnahan, P.J., Martz T.R., Takeshita Y., Johnson K.S., LaShomb M.. 2014. Best practices for autonomous measurement of seawater pH with the Honeywell Durafet, Methods in Oceanography 9, 44-60, doi:10.1016/j.mio.2014.08.003

RETURN

Particulate Carbon Sensors

WETLabs Inc. C-Rover Particulate Organic Carbon Sensor

Brief Description

Optical (beam attenuation coefficient at 660 nm). Fully autonomous. Response time = 0.1 s.

Platforms:

discrete sampling, underway systems, moorings, drifters, profiling floats

More information and contact

http://www.wetlabs.com Contact: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. See also: Jim Bishop

References:

- Bishop, J.K.B., T.J. Wood, R.E. Davis and J.T. Sherman (2004) Robotic Observations of Enhanced Carbon Biomass and Export at 55S. Science 304, 417-420. See also supplemental online materials.

- Bishop, J.K.B., R.E. Davis and J.T. Sherman (2002) Robotic Observations of Dust Storm Enhancement of Carbon Biomass in the North Pacific. Science 298, 817-821. See also Supplemental Materials.

- Bishop, J. K. B., T.J. Wood (2008) Particulate Matter Chemistry and Dynamics in the Twilight Zone at VERTIGO ALOHA and K2 Sites. Deep-Sea Research I , 55, 1684-1706, doi:10.1016/j.dsr.2008.07.012

- Bishop, J. K. B., T.J. Wood (2009) Year Round Observations of Carbon Biomass and Flux Variability in the Southern Ocean. Global Biogeochemical Cycles , 23, doi:10.1029/2008GB003206

WETLabs Inc. Prototype Particulate Inorganic Carbon Sensor in CSTAR and Neutrally Buoyant Forms

Brief Description

Optical, mineral (calcite / aragonite) birefringence at 660 nm. Fully autonomous. Proposal pending to commercialize. Response time = 0.1 s. Available for commerciallization via Technology Transfer.

Platforms:

discrete sampling, underway systems, moorings, drifters, profiling floats

More information and contact

http://www.wetlabs.com Contact: Dr. Jim Bishop

References:

Guay C.K. and J.K.B. Bishop (2002) A rapid birefringence method for measuring suspended CaCO3 concentrations in water, Deep-Sea Research I, 49, 197-210 Bishop, J. K. B. (2009) Autonomous Observations of the Ocean Biological Carbon Pump. Oceanography , 22 (2), 182-193.

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory / UC Berkeley Optical Sedimentation Recorder (OSR)/ Carbon Flux Explorer

Brief Description

Optical (multiple imagine methods), detects organic and inorganic carbon components of flux on hourly basis for seasons to one year. Fully autonomous (Iridium profiling float + OSR). Response time < 4 s. Available for commerciallization via Technology Transfer.

Platforms:

underway systems, profiling floats

More information and contact

http://www-ocean.lbl.gov/NOPP.html Contact: Dr. Jim Bishop

References:

Bishop, J. K. B. (2009) Autonomous Observations of the Ocean Biological Carbon Pump. Oceanography , 22 (2), 182-193.

RETURN

Dissolved Oxygen Sensors

Aanderaa SeaGuard O2

Brief Description

Platforms:

More information and contact