Development of An Optical Sensor System for Widely Dispersed, Unattended Monitoring of the Air-Sea Exchange of Carbon Dioxide

20 Development of An Optical Sensor System for Widely Dispersed, Unattended Monitoring of the Air-Sea Exchange of Carbon Dioxide--Yellow Springs Optical Sensor Company, P.L.L., 1725 Brannum Lane, Yellow Springs, OH 45387-1107; Mr. John R. Woodward, Principal Investigator Mr. Leon R. Erdman, Business Official DOE Grant No. DE-FG02-97ER82512 Amount: $74,668 The accumulation of various ¿greenhouse¿ gases, especially carbon dioxide (CO2), has accelerated in the past 50 years due to human activities in burning fossil fuels. CO2 has been known to pass into the atmosphere polluting the environment, but it has also been linked with ocean pollution as the ocean acts as a massive CO2 sink. The single most important factor in further understanding the role of oceans in the control of global warming is the capacity to make direct, in-situ measurements of CO2. No unattended, in-situ method of CO2 measurement suitable for marine applications exists. This project is to develop a CO2 sensor for the long term monitoring of CO2 in ocean waters, based on a fluorescent fiber optic sensing system. In the Phase I research program, we will concentrate on the sensor chemistry and the mechanical design of the sensor for the fluorescent fiber optic sensing system of CO2, as well as the optical and electronic systems associated with the sensor. This includes selection of the appropriate fluorescent dye molecule in the optimum buffer system and the appropriate membrane material to achieve the necessary sensitivity. The Phase II research will be a stepped-up effort of the Phase I work with regard to the longevity and the manufacturing issues, as well as the long term real time deployment of the CO2 measurement system. Commercial Applications and Other Benefits as described by the awardee: The success of the proposed CO2 sensing system would certainly benefit the scientific community and society as it would provide a significant amount of data with regard to the relationship of CO2 to the ocean and thus methods for controlling the CO2 pollution. Furthermore, this would provide a good business opportunity, potentially up to $26 million annually. Finally, the fiber optic fluorescent CO2 measurement system could be expanded into the biotechnology and bioprocessing market by modifying some of the operational parameters.