New Wave Media

Specialized instrument made specifically for ocean optics communities is to be applied by German Center for Materials and Coastal Research providing a scientific basis for sustainable development and future-oriented coastal management.

 

The coasts represent an important field of research. The area in which land and water meet is a hot spot of species diversity and exchange processes and calls for closer analysis and assessment. This is undertaken by e.g. Helmholtz-Zentrum Geesthacht, German Center for Materials and Coastal Research. They will be using a LISST-VSF which is going to be deployed as a monitor and an in situ optical sensor measuring the volume scattering function (VSF) of particles.

 

This in situ capable Sequoia instrument is available through MacArtney Underwater Technology and marks the first LISST-VSF sale to the European market by the company in its role as an exclusive representative of Sequoia Scientific products in the Nordic countries and Germany. This particular sale was closed by MBT GmbH as part of the MacArtney Group.  

 

The LISST-VSF from Sequoia is reportedly the world’s first commercially available submersible instrument for measuring the VSF of water in situ. It is a very specialized instrument that measures laser light scattering from 0.1 to 150 degrees. This dynamic and angular range in VSF measurements is being extended via laser power modulation. Besides, data is collected from small and large angles in a single data stream, including depth and temperature. The instrument has a sampling rate at 3 seconds per measurement set and provides daylight rejection by laser modulation.

 

The LISST-VSF has a unique capability to measure polarized light scattering of both forward and backward scattered light in situ. This enables scientists to develop and validate better light scattering models. Such models improve our ability to use remote sensing measurements for understanding and assessing coastal processes.