Flow-Through Fluorometers
Originated on March 1, 2011

Originated from: Jeff Callahan on March 1, 2011

I'm looking for recommendations for a unit to replace our shipboard flow-through fluorometer. Looking for a system that is reliable, tolerant of shipboard environment, and requires little or no modification for this application.

Jeff

Jeffrey Callahan, PhD
Director, NBC Facilities & Operations
Graduate School of Oceanography

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Reply from Tom Wilson on March 1, 2011

I would start by looking at the WET Labs WETStar flow through fluorometer:

http://www.wetlabs.com/products/wetstar/wsx.htm

Pretty simple and straightforward to use: power in, voltage out, small,
easy to clean, submersible to 600 meters so you can mount it pretty much
anywhere on a ship.

My $0.02,
Tom

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Reply from Ben Jokinen on March 1, 2011

We use Wetlabs ECO fluorometers and a Wetlabs-made housing for these
in order to do flow-thru. We use the same instruments on both the CTD
and our flow-thru underway system, so they are interchangeable. Also
the ECOs have a turbidity option as well if needed.

Ben

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Reply from Dale Hubbard on March 1, 2011

Hi Folks,

If you're willing to get into making your own housing for this
application, you might find it worthwhile to check out Turner Cyclops
fluorometers. For the past couple of years our profiling group at OSU
has been using them exclusively. It's been awhile since I've priced
them, but I think that they are substantially more affordable than the
WL Eco line. Chl, turbidity, CDOM, dyes, you name it, they've
probably got a model to measure it...

cheers,

Dale

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Reply from Dave Forcucci on March 1, 2011

Jeff,
Also check out the Turner C3.

A requirement for any flow through Fluorometer should include wavelengths for Chlorophyl and Phycoerythrin (Blue green algae). The newer ones also include light transmission.

Here is another resource
http://www.act-us.info/sensor_list.php?cat=Fluorometer&type=Sensor%20Type

Although they didn't have many ACT reports on Fluorometers.
Dave

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Reply from Dave Forcucci on March 3, 2011

I am partial to Turner too, since we have used a SCUFA on Healy for a few years.

The Turner C3 can combine three sensors and can include refined fuels and crude oil sensors. All US research ships should really be sampling for petroleum on any and all our casts........ IMO.

Dave
Seattle