Page 16 - Customer Needs and Use Assessments (CNUA) of Hydrocardon Sensors

ACT In Situ Hydrocarbon Sensors Customer Needs and Use Assessment.....................................................15
10. In which of the following areas does the in situ hydrocarbon sensor that you are
currently using have significant limitations, not lived up to specifications or
expectations, or does not meet your needs? (CHECK ALL THAT APPLY) Please
provide details regarding issues of primary concern.
Users:
• An ocean observing system will need instrumentation that is easily deployed and
cost effective, in addition to having the capability to detect with accuracy.
• For fluorometry, in situ units excitation wavelengths fit better for chlorophyll than
for oil hydrocarbons; therefore, not very sensitive, high LDL. Can't deploy flow
thru systems at great depths to analyze underwater plumes, like what was
happening during Deepwater Horizon.
• Manufacturers are not interested in the calibration of their instruments to actual
hydrocarbons encountered in the field, which leads to a lack of consistent
calibration methods throughout the industry. Also, there is opportunistic re-