FastOcean used world-wide to monitor gross and net primary productivity (GPP and NPP). To understand how human activities and global climate change affect marine environments, we need to understand the role of phytoplankton and photosynthesis. Scientist around the world are using the Chelsea FastOcean APD (Ambient Plus Dark) Profiling system and Act2 Laboratory based system  to improve such photosynthesis and GPP measurements. Over the past year, Chelsea has seen sales of the FastOcean Fast Repetition Rate fluorometers (FRRf) soar with systems now being used across Europe, USA, Australia and China.

Phytoplankton photosynthetic physiology can now be investigated through single turnover active fluorometry (STAF) approaches, which carries the unique potential to autonomously collect data at high spatial and temporal resolutions. Chelsea Technologies’ LabSTAF is a new generation fluorometer that uses single turnover active fluorometry to measure very low levels of photosynthesis, ideal for oligotrophic zonesScientists based in Beijing, are focusing their experiments in the coastal waters of China and the Western Pacific Ocean using the FastOcean APD profiling system. Rather than calculating GPP from assimilation of 14C, which can often be a time consuming method and greatly limits the number of photosynthesis measurements one can make within a day, they have found a reliable way to calculate GPP and NPP by using the FastOcean APD.

Another group of scientists have also had successful data collection using Chelsea’s fluorometers to study the Aquatic ecology of lakes and reservoirs in Central China.  They have been measuring GPP & NPP in the Danjiangkou Reservoir and have used the system for in situ monitoring of algae photosynthesis in East Lake, Wuhan. Rather than undergoing sampling work for analysis back in the laboratory, they are now using the FastOcean APD system in the field, increasing their efficiency and collecting more data than ever before.

The combination of FastOcean and Act2 provides a highly automated laboratory-based system for running fluorescence light curves (FLCs). Alternatively, photosynthesis can be probed at high spatial and/or temporal resolutions by combining two FastOcean sensors within an APD system for profiling or long term moored deployment.