Category: Instruments

The Bio-Acoustic Sonar uses active acoustics to measure populations of zooplankton and fish. The sonar emits sound waves into the water column

Spectral irradiance sensors characterize the total amount of radiation (energy) present at each frequency or bandwidth in the spectrum separately. These measurements depend on the natural illumination conditions of sunlight and measure apparent

PAR sensors measure Photosynthetically Active Radiation, which is the spectral range (wave band) of solar radiation from 400 to 700 nanometers that photosynthetic organisms are able to use in the process of photosynthesis. Essentially, PAR senso

Optical absorption and attenuation instruments allows total scattering to be derived for living and detrital particles in the ocean. Since 2014, optical attenuation sensors have been installed near the seafloor  on Benthic Experiment Packag

Nitrate sensors measure the nitrate concentrations in the ocean. Nitrogen is an essential element or nutrient in plant growth in marine environments, of which the dominant labile inorganic form is nitrate.  Nutrients typically have higher c

Measurements of dissolved gas concentrations such as carbon dioxide, methane, and hydrogen sulfide are critical to understanding volcanic, chemical, and biological processes in submarine environments. Carbon dioxide in magma chambers helps drive

Real-time detection of seismic events along the Cascadia subduction zone and Juan de Fuca Plate is a powerful capability provided by the OOI Regional Cabled Observatory. Part of this detection and monitoring capability is provided by an array of

Measurement of hydrogen sulfide (H2S), acidity (pH), hydrogent (H2), and temperature in hydrothermal vents are essential measurements to understand fluid sources and fluid-rock reactions in the subsurface and microbial interactions. During seafl

Real-time measurements provided by pressure sensors on the seafloor are of great importance because lunar tides, storms, and currents can impact fluid migration into and out of the seafloor crust and sediments.

Short-period ocean-bottom seismometers (OBSSP) detect vibrations from small earthquakes ranging from 0.1 Hz to 100 Hz. These earthquakes are caused by local phenomena, such as melt movement beneath Axial Seamount and upward flow of hydrothermal