News

At the beginning of June, a delegation from Dalhousie University consisting of PhD students Lorenza Raimondi and Ricardo Arruda, and Research Scientist Dariia Atamanchuk departed to the picturesque Swedish countryside, at the Sven Lovén Centre for Marine Infrastructure (University of Gothenburg) in Kristineberg, to learn about ocean biogeochemical sensors.

The International Ocean Carbon Coordination Project (IOCCP) and BONUS Integral-sponsored course on biogeochemical sensors (http://www.ioccp.org/2019-training-course#program) brought together early career researchers and sensor experts from all over the world to spread knowledge on the ways to observe and study the ocean using sensor technology. The training course was also sponsored by Ocean Carbon & Biogeochemistry (OCB), AtlantOs, Ocean Thematic Centre (OTC), and Readiness of ICOS for necessities of Integrated Global Observations (RINGO).

The course was developed to train the new generation of marine biogeochemists on selected autonomous (and fast developing) biogeochemical sensors, with the aim to promote and enhance the utilization of these sensors, and to teach users common best practices of use and data reporting.  A variety of sensors and systems from different manufacturers were introduced (15 sensors in total), with a focus on four Essential Ocean Variables (EOVs): O₂ (Aanderaa, RBR, SeaBird optode), pCO₂ (CONTROS, PRO-Oceanus, General Oceanics), pH (Seabird-SeapHOx and SEAFET, SAMI-pH), and chlorophyll and backscaterring (WetLabs FLNTU).

Dr. Dariia Atamanchuk was an instructor of the course, responsible for pCO₂, O₂ and pH sensors. The course organizers invited a total 15 instructors and lecturers, experts in oceanography, sensor technologies and their application, from Australia, Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Europe. 

Of the 27 participants from 6 different continents, CERC.OCEAN was represented by two students, Lorenza Raimondi and Ricardo Arruda. They joined other participants from institutions such as SCRIPPS, ESPOL, NOAA, CSIRO, FURG, and the NOC.

The students learned about the best practices of sensor use, data processing and sensors’ data utility through a combination of exercises on sensor deployment and recovery, data acquisition, quality control and processing, lectures, and finally, the practicality of data processing and reporting.

Students and instructors spent time networking in formal and informal setups. 10K morning runs, sea kayaking, sauna visits, and long evenings over beer or wine made the experience in the rural Swedish countryside unforgettable. 

Organizers included a Meet the Industry Day to the course agenda. The  representatives of Canadian companies RBR, Jon Taylor (https://rbr-global.com/) and Pro-Oceanus, Mark Barry (https://pro-oceanus.com/) were invited to introduce the course participants to their companies’ products and perform hands-on training.

A special thanks to Maciej, Artur, Gregor, and Henry for organizing the event.