Deep sea detection

Scientists and engineers at the

Center for Ocean Technology (COT) are developing equipment to detect dissolved gasses and volatile organic compounds in the deep marine environment. Using specialised mass spectrometry equipment in a protective underwater housing, COT’s Tim Short and colleagues are able to measure compounds at concentrations less that one part per billion.

“Mass spectrometry (MS) is a powerful tool for detecting a wide variety of compounds in very small quantities and at extremely low concentrations,” said Short.

Underwater MS can monitor a number of scientifically important gases, such as methane, oxygen and carbon dioxide as well as a range of harmful compounds such as benzene, chloroform and toluene. In addition, analysis in the field has important advantages over sample collection and analysis in the lab.

“On-site analysis lowers the risk of sample loss, contamination and degradation,” Short explained. “The quicker we can analyse a sample the better. Being able to analyse continuously in real-time is optimal for hazardous situations. Furthermore, field analysis greatly increases measurement rates and reduces cost per sample."