FASTocean Fluorimeter

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FASTocean is the ultimate fluorimeter for in situ and in vivo studies of gross photosynthesis and gross primary production.

 

This high performance, Fast Repetition Rate fluorimeter is suitable for use in a wide range of applications from the assessment of primary production within the worlds oceans to environmental monitoring within reservoirs and rivers.

 

The FASTocean fluorimeter can be combined with the FASTact Laboratory System to allow for the automated running of rapid light curves (RLCs).

Applications and Features
Applicatons
  • In situ and in vivo studies of Primary Production
  • Probing of microalgae group composition (green algae, diatoms, dinoflagellates, cyanobacteria)
  • Bloom detection and tracking
  • Toxicant detection within domestic water supplies

 

Key Features

  • Uncompromising design: For use in any situation – from continuous acquisition in open ocean to lab-based Rapid Light Curve measurements (with the FASTact laboratory system)
  • New, NIR-enhanced PMT: Very high signal to noise ratio and large dynamic range
  • Ultra-quiet power supply design: To maximise signal to noise
  • Direct estimation of RCII concentration, PSII flux, ETR and PSII absorption coefficient: Using data analysis methods developed in collaboration with researchers at the NOC, Southampton and The University of Essex
  • Single Turnover FRR: Short sequence time (200 µs) allows for accurate measurement in moving water
  • Multiple Turnover FRR: Homogeneous light field minimises the time required for each measurement
  • Ultra-compact: < 1.8 litres
  • Full titanium housing: Maximum strength and resistance to corrosion in sea water
  • Integrated titanium pressure sensor (PTX version): 0 to 60 bar - suitable for long term marine deployment
  • External connections: For RS322/RS442, USB 2.0, PAR sensor, external trigger and synch out
  • Real time data processing and storage: 16 GB internal, simultaneous output through RS422 and USB
 
Specifications
Excitation: 450, 530 and 624 nm (470 nm also available)
Detection: 682 nm peak, 30 nm half bandwidth
NIR-enhanced PMT with 10 stage dynode chain    
Valid FRR data over 4 orders of magnitude    
Computer modelled optical arrangement to maximise signal collection from the illuminated sample
Acquistion: 48 MHz internal clock
16-bit data conversion (FRR, pressure and PAR)
Timing: 1 µs flashlets
-2 to 200 µs flashlet pitch during saturation phase
-8 to 20000 µs flashlet pitch during relaxation phase
flashlet increment option during the relaxation phase
Power requirements: 18 to 36 VDC, protected to 72 V
4.8 W (5 W peak)
Operating temperature: 0 to 50°C
External dimensions: 88 x 284 mm (diameter x length)
Depth rating: 600 m
Weight in air, water: 28 N, 10 N
Housing material: Titanium
User updatable firmware: Cables and GUI provided.
Connectors:

Impluse connectors
RS422/RS232 + 24 V in
USB 2.0 (for programming and ultra fast data download)
Analogue input plus 12 V supply (can be used with PAR sensor)
Analogue input plus 12 V supply, external trigger and synch out

 
Data Acquisition

Data Acquisition & Processing within FASTpro3

 

Flexible protocol design

  • LED flux can be set from each of the three channels (photons nm-2 100 x flashlets-1)
  • High level of control of Single Turnover (ST) and Multiple Turnover (MT) acquisitions
  • Pre-saturation phase for improved Fo accuracy with MT acquisitions
  • Multiple protocols can be run in a continuous loop

 

settings




Real time data presentation and analysis



test1
Within FASTpro3, a single acquisition can be viewed within a trace plot window. Different elements within the window can be switched on and off by the user and the window itself can be re-sized.
test2 In addition, FASTpro3 provides plot windows for fluorescence parameters, with time or acquisition index on the x-axis, and Rapid Light Curve (RLC) plots, with PAR on the x-axis. Again, the user has detailed control over which parameters are shown within the window, as well as window size.
Improved methods for data analysis

Although the FASTocean sensor can be programmed to make ST and MT acquisitions, the short acquisition time of the ST method makes this the best option with optically think samples:

  • Data accuracy is not compromised in moving water
  • Provides the absorption cross-section of PS II photochemistry (σPSII)
  • Allows for direct estimation of [PSII]  reaction centre concentration ([RCII]) and PSII electron flux (JVPSII)

The MT method requires three orders of magnitude longer than the ST method for each saturation phase sequence:

  • Gives poor accuracy in fast moving water (Fm not achieved)
  • No measurement of σPSII
  • Can't be used for direct estimation of [PSII] or J[PSII] (see below)
  • Can provide qualitative information about processes ‘downstream’ of PS II
ST saturation phase data are fit using the equations originally presented by Kolber  et al. (1998)1. A full range of fluorescence paramters is calculated in real time, including:
Fo

F'

Fm and Fm' 

Fv/Fm 

Fq'/Fm' 

RσPSII

σPSII

p

[Chl]

'origin' of variable fluorescence in the dark-adapted state

steady-state fluorescence in the light-adapted state

maximum fluorescence in the dark and light-adapted states, respectively

PSII photochemical efficiency in the dark-adapted state

PS II operating efficiency

probability of an RCII being closed by the first ST flashlet

absorption cross section of PSII photochemistry

connectivity parameter

chlorophyll concentration

If an ST measurement includes a relaxation phase, the following additional parameters are calculated in real time:
tf time constant for PS II centre re-opening
Fa fluorescence at the asymptote of the relaxation phase


If a FASTocean sensor is being used with a FASTact  system, or two FASTocean sensors are being used in situ as a synchronised pair (light + dark), additional ST saturation phase parameters are calculated in real time, including:
Fo' 'origin' of variable fluorescence in the light-adapted state
qP, qL and qJ for estimation of the fraction of PS II centres in the open state
NPQ for tracking of Non-Photochemical Quenching
JPSII photochemical flux per RCII
[RCII] functional RCII m-3
JVPSII  JVPSII m-3
ETR Electron Transfer Rate (from PS11 to NADP)
These data are generated using the established Sigma algorithm plus a new Absorption algorithm (developed in collaboration with researchers at the NOC, Southampton and The University of Essex), which does not require values of σPSII, [RCII] or the fraction of RCII in the open state (from qP, qL or qJ). The Absorption algorithm provides a better signal to noise under high ambient light and low biomass and, in addition, can be used to generate a PSII absorption coefficient (ªPSII) with units of m-1.
1 Kolber ZS, Prásîl O, Falkowski PG (1998) Measurements of variable chlorophyll fluorescence using fast-repetition rate techniques: defining methodology and experimental protocols. Biochim. Biophys. Acta 1367: 88-106

 
Accessories
Accessories for specific applications


In situ Primary Production
PAR sensor: 400 to 700 nm – as used with the FASTtracka II sensor
24 V interface unit: Dual RS422 to 2 x FASTocean, USB to PC 
Low biomass dark chamber: Optimised for oligotrophic and mesotrophic conditions (0 to 20 mg m-3 chlorophyll a)
Dedicated dark chamber pump: with consistent flow and 600 m depth rating
Battery pack: 24 V rechargeable for 2 x FASTocean sensors and dark chamber pump
Profiling unit: with mountings for 2 x FASTocean sensors, battery pack, dark chamber pump and PAR sensor


Laboratory-based Primary Production
FASTact laboratory system: Rapid Light Curve  measurements with real time calculation of a wide range of fluorescence parameters through the FASTpro3 GUI

 
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