Details of Award
NERC Reference : NE/K008242/1
Development of an oceanic in situ lab on a chip alkalinity sensor for high spatial and temporal resolution measurements
Training Grant Award
- Lead Supervisor:
- Professor EP Achterberg, University of Southampton, Sch of Ocean and Earth Science
- Grant held at:
- University of Southampton, Sch of Ocean and Earth Science
- Science Area:
- Atmospheric
- Marine
- Overall Classification:
- Marine
- ENRIs:
- Global Change
- Science Topics:
- None
- Abstract:
- We propose a novel Total Alkalinity (TA) sensing technology based on lab on chip technology and indicator based photometric measurement of both pH and of the quantity of acid added in standard TA titrations. The sensor will be minituarised for shipboard and in situ water column applications. We will progress this technology to TRL 7 "System prototyping demonstration in an operational environment". This will be the first application of the so called Tracer Monitored Titration to in situ sensing of Alkalinity, and the first use of this method in a lab on chip device. CO2 is the main vector for global warming and ocean acidification. Since the industrial revolution, ca. 30% of the global anthropogenic CO2 emissions have been taken up by the oceans. The continued ability of the oceans to act as a sink is of critical importance for future trends in atmospheric CO2, climate and ocean acidification. The determine the progression and variability of ocean CO2 uptake, it is required to determine at least 2 out of the 4 (fCO2, pH, TA, dissolved inorganic carbon) carbonate chemistry parameters. Pairings of TA with pH or fCO2 allow accurate calculations of the remaining 2 parameters. However, no in situ TA sensors are currently available, and their development is the aim of this project. The application of TA sensors will allow an improved assessment of forcing factors of exchange of CO2 between the atmosphere and ocean. There is evidence that the driving force behind the air-sea flux of CO2 is decreasing and that this is partly responsible for the acceleration of atmospheric CO2 concentration annual growth rate. The overall aim of this PhD project is to develop in situ alkalinity sensors (that currently do not exist) that will utilise state of the art lab on a chip technology for environmental applications. The objectives of the PhD project are to 1) optimise the optoelectronics and chip design, 2) develop bench top TA system and determine precision/accuracy of sensor, 3) package sensor in miniaturised housing, 4) trial TA sensor in coastal waters and on coastal/oceanic voyages, 5) establish operational and storage lifetime of sensor and reagents. This study will provide an important contribution to UK research on marine sensor development, carbonate chemistry observations, air-sea exchange of CO2, ocean acidification, marine biogeochemistry, and the proposed research will strengthen our international position in climate change research. The PhD student will utilise the established laboratories for Marine Microsystem technology at NOCS and the UK NERC Ocean Acidification Carbonate Chemistry Facility (set-up using NERC and EPSRC Capital Grants), and therefore will work in excellent analytical facilities. The PhD student will receive an excellent hands-on training in analytical chemistry, sensor development, carbonate chemistry and marine biogeochemistry, and will undertake appropriate courses in analytical chemistry and marine biogeochemistry. The Centre for Marine Microsystems at the National Oceanography Centre, Southampton [NOCS] combines skills and scientific resources from across the University of Southampton with the Natural Environment Research Council sensor section at NOCS to provide an internationally known research group working at the leading edge of marine sensor technology [see www.soton.ac.uk/rmst]. This large group with interests extending from micro fluidics and micromechanical expertise to studies on biofouling, provides an excellent environment for the training of a research student in the proposed area. Several marine in situ sensors from the group are already at technology readiness levels 4-6, and additional chemical analytical and biogeochemical skills are provided through the PI Achterberg for the proposed project. The research team will facilitate NERC funded leading technology to be developed by the PhD student to answer crucial environmental questions, in addition to key skills training.
- NERC Reference:
- NE/K008242/1
- Grant Stage:
- Completed
- Scheme:
- DTG - directed
- Grant Status:
- Closed
- Programme:
- Analytical Sci and Tech
This training grant award has a total value of £73,510
FDAB - Financial Details (Award breakdown by headings)
| Total - Fees | Total - Student Stipend | Total - RTSG |
|---|---|---|
| £13,978 | £49,193 | £10,339 |
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