pCO2 Sensor

pCO²

Description - The pCO2 sensor provides very precise autonomous measurements based on a spectrophotometry approach regarding the pCO2 concentration.

The sensor is designed to measure the concentration of pCO2 at the surface of the ocean. Therefore the CO2 exchange between atmosphere and ocean can be qualified.

This is a kind of re-marinization of the concept in order to be fully compliant regarding the integration on instrumented buoys.

The sensor can also be full autonomous and work by itself through a Modbus mode as the sensor includes a seawater pump and a spectrometer and achieves one year of operating autonomy with one measurement every hour served by a power supply.

The pCO2 sensor can be integrated on CARIOCA and PIRATA buoys with the aim to measure CO2 partial at the sea surface of ocean and also determine the AIR-SEA CO2 fluxes in open ocean.

pCO²

The pCO2 sensor provides very precise autonomous measurements based on a spectrophotometry approach regarding the pCO2 concentration. The sensor can be integrated on CARIOCA and PIRATA buoys with the aim to measure CO2 partial at the sea surface of ocean and also determine the AIR-SEA CO2 fluxes in open ocean.

 Autonomous measurement based on spectrophotometry

 High accuracy & Low drift

 Optional datalogger mode with satellite transmission

 Compact & Robust design

 One year operating autonomy

Features and benefits

The CO2 content in the atmosphere is one of the elements responsible for the greenhouse effect. The evolution of its concentration has great consequences on the climate of our planet. It is recognized that the fact that the ocean supplies and drawns in turn CO2 is one of the major elements of the atmosphere evolution. Considering the variability of dissolved CO2 in space and time at the surface of the ocean, an experimental approach aiming at making time series measurement from unattended platforms should be contemplated to complete measurements carried out from vessels in movement or from fixed buoys.

pCO2 sensor can be integrated on CARIOCA and PIRATA buoys with the aim to measure CO2 partial at the sea surface of ocean and also determine the AIR-SEA CO2 fluxes in open ocean.

Examples of use

CARIOCA Buoy: Assessment of the variability of ocean CO2 partial pressure and Air-Sea CO2 fluxes in ocean, integrating a SBE37 probe, a fluorometer (for measuring chlorophyll-a), an Ultrasonic anemometer (Wind-speed and Atmospheric pressure), a DO optode and Sea-Temperature.

PIRATA Buoy: Integrated on T-Flex buoys, able to measure pCO2 partial pressure, Dissolved Oxygen, Atmospheric pressure and seawater temperature.

Technical data

CO2 partial pressure:

Range 250 to 550µatm

Initial accuracy +- 3µatm

Temperature (Water circuit):

Range -2 to +32°C

Initial accuracy +-0.01°C

Operational depth: 1dbar

Dissolved Oxygen:

Range (O2 concentration/Air saturation) 0 to 500µM / 0 to 150%

Initial accuracy < 8 µM / <5%

Data output: RS485 Serial connection (MODBUS protocol)

Data storage: Yes

Sampling rate: 1 measure per hour

Power supply: 9 to 18 Vdc (12 Vdc nominal)

Power consumption: 29 mW (2.5mA@12Vdc)

Dimensions: length x diameter: 0.85m x 0.24m

Weight: 23 kg in air

Housing Material: anodized aluminium + anti-fouling paint

Connector SUBCONN MCDLSF 8-pin