ESR3: Further developing optical sensing techniques to analyse spatially con-tinuous oxygen distribution at the water-sediment interface
Research Fellow: Tanja Brandt, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research Leipzig (UFZ) (Germany)
Objectives
- Develop a prototype of a robust optical planar oxygen sensor
- Laboratory tests and optimization of the sensors for long term stability and bio fouling resistance
- Application of the sensor in flume and field experiments temporal and spatial fluctuations of aerobic/anaerobic zones
Tasks and methodology
ESR3 will develop a planar oxygen sensor for automated continuous measurements. Prior to real world applications in flume and field experiments, the sensor will be optimized for long term stability and bio fouling resistance by testing different coatings in controlled experiments. Then the sensor will applied in the field in close cooperation with ESR4 and ESR5 (carbon metabolism at biofilm interfaces) and ESR 7 (effects of hydrological extremes) to test the oxygen sensors under different conditions and to develop a combined C and O metabolism monitoring method. The planar oxygen sensors will also be applied to support the selection of hyporheic biofilms samples (ESR 5).
Supervisors
- Christian Schmidt, Jan Fleckenstein (UFZ)
- Co-Supervisor: Joerg Lewandowski (IGB)
Video Introduction
Watch this short video of ESR3 Tanja Brandt introducing herself and talking about her Interfaces project: