Overview
What is LabSTAF?
- Monitoring phytoplankton primary productivity using the latest in STAF technology
- Unparalleled sensitivity allowing measurements in extreme oilogotrophic waters
- Wide dynamic range providing reliable measurements from open ocean, coastal waters and lakes
- Fully automated acquisition allows for continuous measurements without manual intervention
- Compact and robust portable unit – ideal for deployment on research vessels and outdoor locations
- Automated sample exchange and system cleaning for extended autonomous operation
Why LabSTAF?
- Advanced corrections as standard:
- Seven waveband excitation for spectral correction of photosynthetic measurements and assessment of community structure
- Dual fluorescence waveband measurement to compensate for the reabsorption of chlorophyll fluorescence through the package effect
- Baseline subtraction to exclude fluorescence signal from non-photosynthetic sources
Usability
- Automated archiving so primary data are always secured
- Real time data processing and presentation with a wide range viewing options
- Flexible experimental design from manual control to complex fully automated acquisition set through the dedicated software, RunSTAF, running on the supplied Surface Go
- Data extraction functions incorporated within RunSTAF provide easy access to extended primary data sets in csv format
Features & Applications
Technical Features
- Integration of the absorption method for quantifying photosynthesis (Oxborough et al. 2012)
- Seven measurement wavebands to allow for routine spectral correction based on variable fluorescence (Fv)
- Dual narrow waveband fluorescence measurement, cantered at 685 nm and 730 nm, for automated package effect correction (Boatman et al. 2019)
- Dual Single Turnover pulse method for the measurement of relaxation phase kinetics
- Full spectrum blue-enhanced actinic illumination providing up to 2500 µmol photons m-2 s-1
- Circulating water jacket for the sample chamber, which avoids intersection with optical paths
- Potential replacement for 14C based photosynthetron measurements
- Three acquisition modes: automated FLC, manual control and dark flow
Applications
- Measurement of PSII photochemical flux per unit volume (JVPII) to provide an upper limit to PhytoPP at high spatiotemporal scales.
- Quantitative assessment for the fundamental systems driving the global carbon cycle
- Analysis of the biochemistry and ecology of aquatic systems
- Verification of satellite data
- Facilitates measurement at scales from mesoscale eddies to oceanic fronts
- Climate change research and modelling
- Monitoring of algal bloom development and community structure
- Ecological monitoring to manage water catchments
- Identify and mitigate sources affecting water quality in catchments
Specifications
| Power supply | 140 – 400 mA at 24 V (3.4 – 9.7 W) |
| Dimensions (mm) | 235 (H) x 320 (W) x 420 (D) |
| Mass (approx.) | 8.1 kg |
| Sample Chamber | 20 mL sample volume with fused silica vertical cylinder, BK7 base |
| Excitation wavebands (wavelength) | 452, 472, 505, 417, 534, 594, 622 nm |
| Actinic light source | Collimated output from 10 – 2400 μmol photons m–² s–¹ at 12 bit resolution |
| Detection limit | Can resolve F∨ with an amplitude equivalent to 0.001 mg m-3 of chlorophyll a |
| IP rating | IP65 |