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Presenting CERC.Ocean's new underway system to the Minister of Science

Posted by Ricardo Arruda on March 20, 2017 in News
CERC.OCEAN PhD Student, Ricardo Arruda explaining how this system works (Chronicle Herald Staff Photographer)
CERC.OCEAN PhD Student, Ricardo Arruda explaining how this system works (Chronicle Herald Staff Photographer)

Our testing facility in the Dalhousie University Aquatron for underway systems was presented to the Minister of Science Kirsty Duncan. The use of these systems in Volunteer Observing Ships (VOS) is one of the best ways to increase the surface ocean data coverage both in space and time. The system being developed and tested here in the Aquatron can measure pCO2, temperature, salinity, oxygen and chlorophyll-a. There is also the possibility of adding more sensors to the system. These systems have to be very reliable, rugged, safe and they cannot impact the vessel’s operation. MEOPAR is supporting this work, which includes cooperation with Atlantic Towing Ltd. (operates Atlantic Condor vessel). There’s also cooperation with the sensor companies, such as Pro-Oceanus Ltd. and 4-Deep Inwater Imaging Ltd. Our idea is to develop and test systems that are rugged enough to be installed on any vessel worldwide. These systems also need to be accurate and reliable enough to collect and report quality data.

The first test run for this VOS system will take place in April aboard the Irish vessel Celtic Explorer during the A02 Go-Ship Cruise on two crossings of the North Atlantic Ocean from Galway, Ireland, to St. John's, Newfoundland and back. 

To learn more about Ricardo's research, visit his profile

To follow updates on the A02 Cruise aboard the Celtic Explorer, visit our Cruises Page.