Review of fluorescent standards for calibration of in situ fluorometers: Recommendations applied in coastal and ocean observing programs

doi:10.1364/OE.19.026768

Review of fluorescent standards for calibration of in situ fluorometers: Recommendations applied in coastal and ocean observing programs

Alan Earp, Christine E. Hanson, Peter J. Ralph, Vittorio E. Brando, Simon Allen, Mark Baird, Lesley Clementson, Paul Daniel, Arnold G. Dekker, Peter R.C.S. Fearns, John Parslow, Peter G. Strutton, Peter A. Thompson, Mark Underwood, Scarla Weeks, and Martina A. Doblin »View Author Affiliations

Optics Express, Vol. 19, Issue 27, pp. 26768-26782 (2011)
http://dx.doi.org/10.1364/OE.19.026768

View Full Text Article

Enhanced HTML Acrobat PDF (1520 KB)

Journal Search
Article Lookup

Article Tools

Citations

Alert me when this article is cited
Export Citation/Save

Abstract
Article Info
References (28)
Cited By
Figures (10)
Metrics
Related Content

Abstract

Fluorometers are widely used in ecosystem observing to monitor fluorescence signals from organic compounds, as well as to infer geophysical parameters such as chlorophyll or CDOM concentration, but measurements are susceptible to variation caused by biofouling, instrument design, sensor drift, operating environment, and calibration rigor. To collect high quality data, such sensors need frequent checking and regular calibration. In this study, a wide variety of both liquid and solid fluorescent materials were trialed to assess their suitability as reference standards for performance assessment of in situ fluorometers. Criteria used to evaluate the standards included the spectral excitation/emission responses of the materials relative to fluorescence sensors and to targeted ocean properties, the linearity of the fluorometer’s optical response with increasing concentration, stability and consistency, availability and ease of use, as well as cost. Findings are summarized as a series of recommended reference standards for sensors deployed on stationary and mobile platforms, to suit a variety of in situ coastal to ocean sensor configurations. Repeated determinations of chlorophyll scale factor using the recommended liquid standard, Fluorescein, achieved an accuracy of 2.5%. Repeated measurements with the recommended solid standard, Plexiglas Satinice^® plum 4H01 DC (polymethylmethacrylate), over an 18 day period varied from the mean value by 1.0% for chlorophyll sensors and 3.3% for CDOM sensors.

OCIS Codes
(010.0010) Atmospheric and oceanic optics : Atmospheric and oceanic optics
(010.4450) Atmospheric and oceanic optics : Oceanic optics
(120.0280) Instrumentation, measurement, and metrology : Remote sensing and sensors
(260.2510) Physical optics : Fluorescence
(150.1488) Machine vision : Calibration

ToC Category:
Atmospheric and Oceanic Optics

History
Original Manuscript: August 3, 2011
Revised Manuscript: October 6, 2011
Manuscript Accepted: October 8, 2011
Published: December 14, 2011

Virtual Issues
Vol. 7, Iss. 2 Virtual Journal for Biomedical Optics

Citation
Alan Earp, Christine E. Hanson, Peter J. Ralph, Vittorio E. Brando, Simon Allen, Mark Baird, Lesley Clementson, Paul Daniel, Arnold G. Dekker, Peter R.C.S. Fearns, John Parslow, Peter G. Strutton, Peter A. Thompson, Mark Underwood, Scarla Weeks, and Martina A. Doblin, "Review of fluorescent standards for calibration of in situ fluorometers: Recommendations applied in coastal and ocean observing programs," Opt. Express 19, 26768-26782 (2011)
http://www.opticsinfobase.org/vjbo/abstract.cfm?URI=oe-19-27-26768

Sort: Author | Year | Journal | Reset

References

C. D. Mobley, “Optical properties of water,” in Handbook of Optics, M. Bass, ed. (The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc., 2010), 1.3 - 1.50.
J. T. O. Kirk, Light and photosynthesis in aquatic ecosystems (Cambridge University Press, Melbourne, 1994).
P. G. Coble, “Marine optical biogeochemistry: the chemistry of ocean color,” Chem. Rev.107(2), 402–418 (2007). [CrossRef] [PubMed]
S. M. Glenn, T. D. Dickey, B. Parker, and W. Boicourt, “Long-term real-time coastal ocean observation networks,” Oceanogr.13, 24–34 (2000).
T. D. Dickey, “Emerging ocean observations for interdisciplinary data assimilation systems,” J. Mar. Syst.40–41, 5–48 (2003). [CrossRef]
I. Cetinic, G. Toro-Farmer, M. Ragan, C. Oberg, and B. H. Jones, “Calibration procedure for Slocum glider deployed optical instruments,” Opt. Express17(18), 15420–15430 (2009). [CrossRef] [PubMed]
M. J. Perry, B. S. Sackmann, C. C. Eriksen, and C. M. Lee, “Seaglider observations of blooms and subsurface chlorophyll maxima off the Washington coast,” Limnol. Oceanogr.53(5_part_2), 2169–2179 (2008). [CrossRef]
M. E. Baird, I. M. Suthers, D. A. Griffin, B. Hollings, C. Pattiaratchi, J. D. Everett, M. Roughan, K. Oubelkheir, and M. A. Doblin, “The effect of surface flooding on the physical-biogeochemical dynamics of a warm-core eddy off southeast Australia,” Deep Sea Res. Part II Top. Stud. Oceanogr.58, 592–605 (2011).
K. Hill, T. Moltmann, R. Proctor, and S. Allen, “The Australian integrated marine observing dystem: delivering data streams to address national and international research priorities,” Mar. Technol. Soc. J.44(6), 65–72 (2010). [CrossRef]
ACT, “Applications of in situ fluorometers in nearshore waters,” Workshop report,Alliance for Coastal Technologies, Cape Elizabeth, Maine, USA, (2005), pp. 32.
ACT, “Protocols for verifying the performance of in situ chlorophyll fluorometers,” Evaluation report, Alliance for Coastal Technologies, Solomons, Maryland, USA, (2005), pp. 31.
C. Belzile, C. S. Roesler, J. P. Christensen, N. Shakhova, and I. Semiletov, “Fluorescence measured using the WETStar DOM fluorometer as a proxy for dissolved matter absorption,” Estuar. Coast. Shelf Sci.67(3), 441–449 (2006). [CrossRef]
I. D. Walsh, (personal communication, 2009).
S. W. Jeffrey and G. F. Humphrey, “New spectrophotometric equations for determining chlorophylls a, b, c1 and c2 in higher plants, algae and natural phytoplankton,” Biochem. Physiol. Pflanz.167, 191–194 (1975).
S. W. Jeffrey, R. F. C. Mantoura, and S. W. Wright, eds., Phytoplankton pigments in oceanography: Guidelines to modern methods (UNESCO, Paris, 1996).
P. G. Falkowski and J. A. Raven, “Aquatic Photosynthesis,” (Blackwell Science, Massachusetts, USA, 1997), pp 375.
J. W. Hofstraat and M. J. Latuhihin, “Correction of fluorescence spectra,” Appl. Spectrosc.48(4), 436–447 (1994). [CrossRef]
ACT, “Performance Verification Statement for the Wet Labs ECO FLNTUSB Fluorometer,” ACT VS07–06, M. N. Tamburri, ed. (Alliance for Coastal Technologies, 2006).
K. R. Murphy, K. D. Butler, R. G. M. Spencer, C. A. Stedmon, J. R. Boehme, and G. R. Aiken, “Measurement of dissolved organic matter fluorescence in aquatic environments: an interlaboratory comparison,” Environ. Sci. Technol.44(24), 9405–9412 (2010). [CrossRef] [PubMed]
I. Cetinic, G. Toro-Farmer, M. Ragan, C. Oberg, and B. H. Jones, “Calibration procedure for Slocum glider deployed optical instruments,” Opt. Express17(18), 15420–15430 (2009). [CrossRef] [PubMed]
U. Kopf and J. Heinze, “2,7-Bis(diethylamino)phenazoxonium chloride as a quantum counter for emission measurements between 240 and 700 nm,” Anal. Chem.56(11), 1931–1935 (1984). [CrossRef]
J. Downing, “Twenty-five years with OBS sensors: The good, the bad, and the ugly,” Cont. Shelf Res.26(17-18), 2299–2318 (2006). [CrossRef]
D. V. Manov, G. C. Chang, and T. D. Dickey, “Methods for Reducing Biofouling of Moored Optical Sensors,” J. Atmos. Ocean. Technol.21(6), 958–968 (2004). [CrossRef]
“Avian Technologies Fluroescent Standards,” http://www.aviantechnologies.com/products/standards/fluorescence.php , Accessed 26th May, 2011.
“Evonik Industries Plexiglas Products,” http://www.plexiglas.de/product/plexiglas/en/Pages/default.aspx .
“BASF Lumogen (R) Pigment Product Information,” http://worldaccount.basf.com/wa/EU~en_GB/Catalog/Pigments/pi/BASF/range/pl_col_dyes_lumogen_f .
G. B. Smith, J. C. Jonsson, and J. Franklin, “Spectral and global diffuse properties of high-performance translucent polymer sheets for energy efficient lighting and skylights,” Appl. Opt.42(19), 3981–3991 (2003). [CrossRef] [PubMed]
J. R. Helms, A. Stubbins, J. D. Ritchie, E. C. Minor, D. J. Kieber, and K. Mopper, “Absorption spectral slopes and slope ratios as indicators of molecular weight, source, and photobleaching of chromophoric dissolved organic matter,” Limnol. Oceanogr.53(3), 955–969 (2008). [CrossRef]

Anal. Chem.

U. Kopf and J. Heinze, “2,7-Bis(diethylamino)phenazoxonium chloride as a quantum counter for emission measurements between 240 and 700 nm,” Anal. Chem.56(11), 1931–1935 (1984). [CrossRef]

Appl. Opt.

G. B. Smith, J. C. Jonsson, and J. Franklin, “Spectral and global diffuse properties of high-performance translucent polymer sheets for energy efficient lighting and skylights,” Appl. Opt.42(19), 3981–3991 (2003). [CrossRef] [PubMed]

Appl. Spectrosc.

J. W. Hofstraat and M. J. Latuhihin, “Correction of fluorescence spectra,” Appl. Spectrosc.48(4), 436–447 (1994). [CrossRef]

Biochem. Physiol. Pflanz.

S. W. Jeffrey and G. F. Humphrey, “New spectrophotometric equations for determining chlorophylls a, b, c1 and c2 in higher plants, algae and natural phytoplankton,” Biochem. Physiol. Pflanz.167, 191–194 (1975).

Chem. Rev.

P. G. Coble, “Marine optical biogeochemistry: the chemistry of ocean color,” Chem. Rev.107(2), 402–418 (2007). [CrossRef] [PubMed]

Cont. Shelf Res.

J. Downing, “Twenty-five years with OBS sensors: The good, the bad, and the ugly,” Cont. Shelf Res.26(17-18), 2299–2318 (2006). [CrossRef]

Deep Sea Res. Part II Top. Stud. Oceanogr.

M. E. Baird, I. M. Suthers, D. A. Griffin, B. Hollings, C. Pattiaratchi, J. D. Everett, M. Roughan, K. Oubelkheir, and M. A. Doblin, “The effect of surface flooding on the physical-biogeochemical dynamics of a warm-core eddy off southeast Australia,” Deep Sea Res. Part II Top. Stud. Oceanogr.58, 592–605 (2011).

Environ. Sci. Technol.

K. R. Murphy, K. D. Butler, R. G. M. Spencer, C. A. Stedmon, J. R. Boehme, and G. R. Aiken, “Measurement of dissolved organic matter fluorescence in aquatic environments: an interlaboratory comparison,” Environ. Sci. Technol.44(24), 9405–9412 (2010). [CrossRef] [PubMed]

Estuar. Coast. Shelf Sci.

C. Belzile, C. S. Roesler, J. P. Christensen, N. Shakhova, and I. Semiletov, “Fluorescence measured using the WETStar DOM fluorometer as a proxy for dissolved matter absorption,” Estuar. Coast. Shelf Sci.67(3), 441–449 (2006). [CrossRef]

J. Atmos. Ocean. Technol.

D. V. Manov, G. C. Chang, and T. D. Dickey, “Methods for Reducing Biofouling of Moored Optical Sensors,” J. Atmos. Ocean. Technol.21(6), 958–968 (2004). [CrossRef]

J. Mar. Syst.

T. D. Dickey, “Emerging ocean observations for interdisciplinary data assimilation systems,” J. Mar. Syst.40–41, 5–48 (2003). [CrossRef]

Limnol. Oceanogr.

J. R. Helms, A. Stubbins, J. D. Ritchie, E. C. Minor, D. J. Kieber, and K. Mopper, “Absorption spectral slopes and slope ratios as indicators of molecular weight, source, and photobleaching of chromophoric dissolved organic matter,” Limnol. Oceanogr.53(3), 955–969 (2008). [CrossRef]
M. J. Perry, B. S. Sackmann, C. C. Eriksen, and C. M. Lee, “Seaglider observations of blooms and subsurface chlorophyll maxima off the Washington coast,” Limnol. Oceanogr.53(5_part_2), 2169–2179 (2008). [CrossRef]

Mar. Technol. Soc. J.

K. Hill, T. Moltmann, R. Proctor, and S. Allen, “The Australian integrated marine observing dystem: delivering data streams to address national and international research priorities,” Mar. Technol. Soc. J.44(6), 65–72 (2010). [CrossRef]

Oceanogr.

S. M. Glenn, T. D. Dickey, B. Parker, and W. Boicourt, “Long-term real-time coastal ocean observation networks,” Oceanogr.13, 24–34 (2000).

Opt. Express

Other

“Avian Technologies Fluroescent Standards,” http://www.aviantechnologies.com/products/standards/fluorescence.php , Accessed 26th May, 2011.
“Evonik Industries Plexiglas Products,” http://www.plexiglas.de/product/plexiglas/en/Pages/default.aspx .
“BASF Lumogen (R) Pigment Product Information,” http://worldaccount.basf.com/wa/EU~en_GB/Catalog/Pigments/pi/BASF/range/pl_col_dyes_lumogen_f .
I. D. Walsh, (personal communication, 2009).
S. W. Jeffrey, R. F. C. Mantoura, and S. W. Wright, eds., Phytoplankton pigments in oceanography: Guidelines to modern methods (UNESCO, Paris, 1996).
P. G. Falkowski and J. A. Raven, “Aquatic Photosynthesis,” (Blackwell Science, Massachusetts, USA, 1997), pp 375.
ACT, “Performance Verification Statement for the Wet Labs ECO FLNTUSB Fluorometer,” ACT VS07–06, M. N. Tamburri, ed. (Alliance for Coastal Technologies, 2006).
C. D. Mobley, “Optical properties of water,” in Handbook of Optics, M. Bass, ed. (The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc., 2010), 1.3 - 1.50.
J. T. O. Kirk, Light and photosynthesis in aquatic ecosystems (Cambridge University Press, Melbourne, 1994).
ACT, “Applications of in situ fluorometers in nearshore waters,” Workshop report,Alliance for Coastal Technologies, Cape Elizabeth, Maine, USA, (2005), pp. 32.
ACT, “Protocols for verifying the performance of in situ chlorophyll fluorometers,” Evaluation report, Alliance for Coastal Technologies, Solomons, Maryland, USA, (2005), pp. 31.

Cited By

Alert me when this paper is cited

OSA is able to provide readers links to articles that cite this paper by participating in CrossRef's Cited-By Linking service. CrossRef includes content from more than 3000 publishers and societies. In addition to listing OSA journal articles that cite this paper, citing articles from other participating publishers will also be listed.

Click here to see a list of articles that cite this paper

Figures


Fig. 1	Fig. 2	Fig. 3


Fig. 4	Fig. 5	Fig. 6


Fig. 7	Fig. 8	Fig. 9


Fig. 10

« Previous Article | Next Article »

OSA is a member of CrossRef.

[1] C. D. Mobley, “Optical properties of water,” in Handbook of Optics, M. Bass, ed. (The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc., 2010), 1.3 - 1.50.

[2] J. T. O. Kirk, Light and photosynthesis in aquatic ecosystems (Cambridge University Press, Melbourne, 1994).

[3] P. G. Coble, “Marine optical biogeochemistry: the chemistry of ocean color,” Chem. Rev.107(2), 402–418 (2007). [CrossRef] [PubMed]

[4] S. M. Glenn, T. D. Dickey, B. Parker, and W. Boicourt, “Long-term real-time coastal ocean observation networks,” Oceanogr.13, 24–34 (2000).

[5] T. D. Dickey, “Emerging ocean observations for interdisciplinary data assimilation systems,” J. Mar. Syst.40–41, 5–48 (2003). [CrossRef]

[6] I. Cetinic, G. Toro-Farmer, M. Ragan, C. Oberg, and B. H. Jones, “Calibration procedure for Slocum glider deployed optical instruments,” Opt. Express17(18), 15420–15430 (2009). [CrossRef] [PubMed]

[7] M. J. Perry, B. S. Sackmann, C. C. Eriksen, and C. M. Lee, “Seaglider observations of blooms and subsurface chlorophyll maxima off the Washington coast,” Limnol. Oceanogr.53(5_part_2), 2169–2179 (2008). [CrossRef]

[8] M. E. Baird, I. M. Suthers, D. A. Griffin, B. Hollings, C. Pattiaratchi, J. D. Everett, M. Roughan, K. Oubelkheir, and M. A. Doblin, “The effect of surface flooding on the physical-biogeochemical dynamics of a warm-core eddy off southeast Australia,” Deep Sea Res. Part II Top. Stud. Oceanogr.58, 592–605 (2011).

[9] K. Hill, T. Moltmann, R. Proctor, and S. Allen, “The Australian integrated marine observing dystem: delivering data streams to address national and international research priorities,” Mar. Technol. Soc. J.44(6), 65–72 (2010). [CrossRef]

[10] ACT, “Applications of in situ fluorometers in nearshore waters,” Workshop report,Alliance for Coastal Technologies, Cape Elizabeth, Maine, USA, (2005), pp. 32.

[11] ACT, “Protocols for verifying the performance of in situ chlorophyll fluorometers,” Evaluation report, Alliance for Coastal Technologies, Solomons, Maryland, USA, (2005), pp. 31.

[12] C. Belzile, C. S. Roesler, J. P. Christensen, N. Shakhova, and I. Semiletov, “Fluorescence measured using the WETStar DOM fluorometer as a proxy for dissolved matter absorption,” Estuar. Coast. Shelf Sci.67(3), 441–449 (2006). [CrossRef]

[13] I. D. Walsh, (personal communication, 2009).

[14] S. W. Jeffrey and G. F. Humphrey, “New spectrophotometric equations for determining chlorophylls a, b, c1 and c2 in higher plants, algae and natural phytoplankton,” Biochem. Physiol. Pflanz.167, 191–194 (1975).

[15] S. W. Jeffrey, R. F. C. Mantoura, and S. W. Wright, eds., Phytoplankton pigments in oceanography: Guidelines to modern methods (UNESCO, Paris, 1996).

[16] P. G. Falkowski and J. A. Raven, “Aquatic Photosynthesis,” (Blackwell Science, Massachusetts, USA, 1997), pp 375.

[17] J. W. Hofstraat and M. J. Latuhihin, “Correction of fluorescence spectra,” Appl. Spectrosc.48(4), 436–447 (1994). [CrossRef]

[18] ACT, “Performance Verification Statement for the Wet Labs ECO FLNTUSB Fluorometer,” ACT VS07–06, M. N. Tamburri, ed. (Alliance for Coastal Technologies, 2006).

[19] K. R. Murphy, K. D. Butler, R. G. M. Spencer, C. A. Stedmon, J. R. Boehme, and G. R. Aiken, “Measurement of dissolved organic matter fluorescence in aquatic environments: an interlaboratory comparison,” Environ. Sci. Technol.44(24), 9405–9412 (2010). [CrossRef] [PubMed]

[20] I. Cetinic, G. Toro-Farmer, M. Ragan, C. Oberg, and B. H. Jones, “Calibration procedure for Slocum glider deployed optical instruments,” Opt. Express17(18), 15420–15430 (2009). [CrossRef] [PubMed]

[21] U. Kopf and J. Heinze, “2,7-Bis(diethylamino)phenazoxonium chloride as a quantum counter for emission measurements between 240 and 700 nm,” Anal. Chem.56(11), 1931–1935 (1984). [CrossRef]

[22] J. Downing, “Twenty-five years with OBS sensors: The good, the bad, and the ugly,” Cont. Shelf Res.26(17-18), 2299–2318 (2006). [CrossRef]

[23] D. V. Manov, G. C. Chang, and T. D. Dickey, “Methods for Reducing Biofouling of Moored Optical Sensors,” J. Atmos. Ocean. Technol.21(6), 958–968 (2004). [CrossRef]

[24] “Avian Technologies Fluroescent Standards,” http://www.aviantechnologies.com/products/standards/fluorescence.php , Accessed 26th May, 2011.

[25] “Evonik Industries Plexiglas Products,” http://www.plexiglas.de/product/plexiglas/en/Pages/default.aspx .

[26] “BASF Lumogen (R) Pigment Product Information,” http://worldaccount.basf.com/wa/EU~en_GB/Catalog/Pigments/pi/BASF/range/pl_col_dyes_lumogen_f .

[27] G. B. Smith, J. C. Jonsson, and J. Franklin, “Spectral and global diffuse properties of high-performance translucent polymer sheets for energy efficient lighting and skylights,” Appl. Opt.42(19), 3981–3991 (2003). [CrossRef] [PubMed]

[28] J. R. Helms, A. Stubbins, J. D. Ritchie, E. C. Minor, D. J. Kieber, and K. Mopper, “Absorption spectral slopes and slope ratios as indicators of molecular weight, source, and photobleaching of chromophoric dissolved organic matter,” Limnol. Oceanogr.53(3), 955–969 (2008). [CrossRef]

OpticsInfoBase

Virtual Journal for Biomedical Optics

| EXPLORING THE INTERFACE OF LIGHT AND BIOMEDICINE

Review of fluorescent standards for calibration of in situ fluorometers: Recommendations applied in coastal and ocean observing programs