Aquatic Carbon Instrument from LI-COR Environmental
LI-COR Environmental offers instruments for measuring key carbon dioxide system parameters: DIC, pCO2, pH, and total alkalinity, aiding research in ocean acidification and climate change.
Characterizing carbon is key to unraveling its role in and impact on aquatic environments. Measurements of carbon provide valuable insights into carbon fluxes, cycles, and exchanges as well as ecosystem production, anthropogenic emissions, and the global carbon budget.
In particular, carbon measurements help researchers better understand and assess ocean acidification—a hazardous consequence of rising CO2 levels in the atmosphere—and its ramifications for aquatic life. This can ultimately contribute to the development of climate change mitigation strategies, conservation efforts, and sustainable management practices.
Figure 1. A prime example of carbonate chemistry at an (air/water) interface: the ocean surface. The ocean is the largest sink for the greenhouse gas, carbon dioxide (CO₂). Atmospheric carbon dioxide combines with water to form carbonic acid (H₂CO₃), which then forms bicarbonate (HCO₃–) and carbonate (CO₃2–) ions. From there, carbonate ions can react with dissolved calcium or magnesium ions to form limestone or other minerals, where carbon can become sequestered.
Key Features
Why choose Aquatic Carbon Measurement Instruments
The Dissolved Inorganic Carbon Analyzer measures dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC), or the concentration of CO2 and other inorganic carbon species dissolved in water.
The Underway pCO2 System measures partial pressure of CO2 (pCO2), or the concentration of CO2 gas in water.
The Spectrophotometric Seawater pH Analyzer measures pH, or the acidity (concentration of H+) or alkalinity (concentration of OH-) of water.
The Total Alkalinity Titrator measures total alkalinity, or water’s capacity to neutralize acids.
