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Ref. No. [UMCES] CBL 2016-012
ACT VS16-03
7
Functional Response Time Test
A response time test was conducted by examining measurements during a rapid exchange
across a large gradient in dissolved oxygen for a fixed temperature (15
o
C) in deionized water,
following the approach described in Bittig et al. 2014. The reservoirs of the thermostat baths were
constantly bubbled with either N
2
gas or air to maintain discrete DO levels. A submersible pump
was added to each bath to ensure uniform flow and oxygen conditions and instruments were
mounted at a fixed position within the baths to minimize variance due to instrument manipulation.
Instruments were programmed to measure every 10s continuously for eight minutes following the
exchange. For instruments with the capability, real-time monitoring of instrument output was
monitored to verify a steady state reading had been obtained. Instruments were moved from the
high DO concentration to the low DO concentration and subsequently reversed to check for
response hysteresis. During transitions care was taken to minimize carryover by shaking off
residual water. The sensor was then carefully inserting into the new bucket and mixed by hand to
ensure no bubble entrapment and full exposure to the new solution. Reference samples from each
reservoir were taken at the beginning and end of the exposure. The test instrument was equilibrated
in the high DO reservoir for at least 30 min prior to the exchange to ensure temperature
equilibration.
Lab-based Stability Test
A laboratory stability test was conducted to examine potential instrument drift in a non-
biofouling environment. These results are contrasted to the stability of measurement accuracy
observed in the long-term field mooring deployments. The test occurred over 56 days, with daily
temperature fluctuations of approximately 10
o
C, achieved by alternating the set point of the
recirculation chiller. Reference samples were collected at minimum and maximum temperatures at
least 3 times per week. The test was conducted in deionized water at saturated air conditions.
Tanks were well circulated and open to the atmosphere. Water in the test tank was exchanged as
needed if there was any indication of biological growth. Instruments stayed continuously
submerged and were not exposed to air during any water exchange. The goal of
comparisons of
accuracy over time between the field and a sensor deployed similarly in the laboratory is intended
to provide insight into drift and reliability intrinsic to the instrument relative to changes that may
result from biofouling.
Moored Field Tests
Field Deployment Sites and Conditions
A four month moored deployment was conducted at Michigan Technological University’s
Great Lakes Research Center dock in Houghton, MI. Instruments were deployed in January and
kept under ice cover until April. Instruments were programmed to sample at a minimum frequency
of once per hour. ACT collected reference samples twice per day for 4 days per week during the
entire deployment. Instruments were moored at approximately 4m depth and surface access
through the ice was maintained by gentle circulation with a propeller to allow deployment of the
Van Dorn sampling bottle. The goal of this test application was to demonstrate instrument
performance (reliability, accuracy, and stability) in winter-time environmental conditions and to
demonstrate the ability to operate continuous observations under ice.