LabSTAF | Chelsea Technologies

Overview

WHAT CAN LABSTAF DO FOR YOU?

Measure – A fast, lightweight device to measure algal activity
Automate – continuous automated data measurement
Versatile – Suitable for use in all environments
Precision – Wide dynamic range with extreme sensitivity at low biomass
Practical – Low cost, robust portable unit designed to be operated by a single person
Inform – Health, growth and type of algae datasets

WHAT IS LABSTAF IDEAL FOR?

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
Quantitative assessment for the fundamental systems driving the global carbon cycle
Measurement of PSII photochemical flux per unit volume (JV_PII) to provide an upper limit to PhytoPP at high spatiotemporal scales

CONTACT CHELSEA TODAY TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT LABSTAF

LABSTAF AT A GLANCE

Benchtop instrument to measure primary productivity using fluorescence, giving data for over 50 useful parameters within 15 minutes
LabSTAF includes a peristaltic pump, solenoid unit and flow-through stirrer unit to provide for mixing, sample exchange and a periodic cleaning cycle.
Also included is a Surface Go 2 laptop, pre-installed with the regularly updated RunSTAF software.
Data from LabSTAF is interpreted and analysed internally in the included Surface Go

WHAT’S THE PROBLEM?

Traditional methods of measuring primary productivity (algae) make acquiring good data for ocean science challenging:

Satellite remote sensing methodology is the broadest large-scale method, but produces large errors, requires validation and is unable to probe below the surface
Traditional methods such as C14 fixation are slow, expensive laboratory-based processes requiring handling and training protocols for radioisotopes, with extremely long incubation times of 8-24hrs.

WHATS THE SOLUTION?

LabSTAF, using Single Turnover Active Fluorometry (STAF) technology, provides a revolutionary new method to enable large-scale PhytoPP assessment. LabSTAF is the first of a range of STAF-based products from Chelsea technologies enabling large-scale analysis:

Monitoring phytoplankton primary productivity using latest technology
Unparalleled sensitivity allowing for measurements in extreme oligotrophic water
Fully automated acquisition for continuous measurements
Wide dynamic range providing reliable measurements in open oceans and lakes
Advanced corrections as standard seven waveband excitation, baseline subtraction
Compact and robust portable unit ideal for research vessels and outdoor locations

Features & Applications

What is LabSTAF?

Monitoring phytoplankton primary productivity using the latest in STAF technology
Unparalleled sensitivity allowing measurements in extreme oligotrophic 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

LabSTAF data output

Automated archiving so primary data is 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 laptop
Data extraction functions incorporated within RunSTAF provide easy access to extended primary data sets in csv format

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 (F_v)
Dual narrow waveband fluorescence measurement, centered 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^-2s^-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

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^-3of chlorophyll a
IP rating	IP65