An advanced laser-based fluorescence microstructure profiler (TurboMAP-L) for measuring bio-physical coupling in aquatic systems

Abstract

An advanced model of the Turbulence Microstructure Acquisition Profiler, TurboMAP-L, to investigate the coupling between phytoplankton and turbulence in aquatic systems is described. The profiler provides simultaneous measurement of turbulence, hydrographic and biological parameters at sampling rates between 64 and 512 Hz. Specifically, the addition of a new laser fluorescence-based sensor extends the measurement of in situ chlorophyll fluorescence distributions to millimeter scales. Complementary information on phytoplankton patch and particulate matter size and spatial structure are obtained through the attachment of a separate CMOS mini-camera system. Images of the TurboMAP-L LED fluorescence/turbidity sensor sample volume are obtained with 330 × 330 μm resolution. Results with respect to the performance of the laser sensor and camera system are presented from laboratory tests and field experiments conducted in coastal waters off Tokyo, Japan.