Nova Scotia – Halifax – Halifax
Corporation
www.cmep.ca
Nova Scotia
Halifax
Halifax
Corporation
active
The Centre for Environmental Observation Technology and Research (CEOTR), based at the Department of Oceanography, Dalhousie University (www.cmep.ca), is dedicated to developing new technologies for optical observations of the environment. The group of about 15 scientists and students was established in 1995 as part of an industry/university partnership supported by the National Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada. Working with our industrial partner, Satlantic, Inc. (www.satlantic.com), we at CEOTR have an active program of research and development, aimed at designing a new generation of optical observation systems that are powerful, yet simple and relatively inexpensive. Our arms-length partnership is open to participation by other manufacturers of instruments.
Optical instruments are assuming a central role in observing and assessing environmental variability in oceans, coastal waters, and lakes. This is because variations in the color and clarity of natural waters are determined by microorganisms, dissolved organic matter, and suspended solids - the concentrations of which relate directly to aquatic productivity and water quality. By making quantitative optical observations, it is possible to characterize important types of environmental change: Eutrophication or remediation; environmental degradation; harmful as well as beneficial algal blooms; alterations of aquatic systems associated with climate change; spatial or temporal variations in productivity relevant to fisheries and ocean's role in the greenhouse effect.
Measurements and predictions of optical variability in coastal and oceanic waters are also important for naval defense applications. The development of in situ optical instruments, and quantitative interpretations of what they measure, is a central goal of CEOTR. This activity is now to a large extent conducted by the Centre for marine Environmental Prediction (CMEP) at Dalhousie University.
Research Projects: I) Optical Variability In Coastal Waters: Using in situ measurements of ocean color (upwelling radiance) to estimate water transparency at different wavelengths as well as the abundance and community structure of phytoplankton. This work also supports satellite remote sensing. Relating the distributions of dissolved organic matter and the penetration of UV in coastal waters to in situ measurements of ocean color (upwelling radiance) in visible and UV wavebands. In conjunction with measurements of solar irradiance, this information provides the basis for quantifying photochemical transformations in surface waters by remote sensing.
II) Red Tides and Other Algal Blooms: Simple optical instruments on moorings are used for detection of algal blooms, even below the surface. Early detection is important for the protection of public health and aquaculture sites. Feasibility of using optical instruments on moorings for long-term environmental assessment of coastal waters, including quantitative records of blooms.
Country of Ownership: Canada
Exporting: Yes
Primary Industry (NAICS): 541620 - Environmental Consulting Services
Primary Business Activity: Services
Products:
Environmental products and services, Filter-based radiometers complemented by models of solar radiation and environmental effects of ultraviolet radiation., Moored instruments to measure optical properties of surface waters.
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