PROSOPE  

H. CLAUSTRE : head of mission  and project leader

PVM  : M. Picheral

 

 METHODOLOGIE PVM3B    |   DATA acquisition    |   DATA processing

INSTRUMENT/METHOD - PVM3

INSTRUMENT/METHOD - SBE19

DATA set HIS   |   DATA set TTD   |   fichiers INFO

Methodology PVM 3B

Data acquisition includes all methodologies involved in the collection, processing and analysis of raw material or raw data up to the point where data are generated.

A. Data Collection

Describe the gear/instrumentation used giving name, gear code and details of its deployment.

See InstrumPVM3b file for calibration date and instrument references.

The moored system The Underwater Video Profiler (UVP) was constructed in the Laboratoire d’Océanographie Biologique et d’Ecologie du Plancton Marin in Villefranche sur mer, France (UPMC/CNRS) with the support of the CNRS (Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique) and the European MAST II and III programs. The UVP has been developed for the acquisition of large-particle (> 90 µm) abundance and size distribution data from 0 to 1000 m. Three models have been constructed since 1990 (Gorsky et al. 1992). They were designed to minimize the disturbance of the illuminated volume in order to reduce a possible disruption of imaged particles. All models are autonomous and can be lowered on any hydrological cable. The third model is described here.

The UVP model IIIb is a vertically lowered instrument mounted on a galvanized steel frame (1.1 x 0.9 x 1.25 m). The lighting is based on two 54W Chadwick Helmuth stroboscopes. Two stainless steel mirrors spread the beams into a structured 10 cm thick slab. The strobes are synchronized with two Exavision XC 644 black-and-white CCD video cameras with 24 and 6 mm C-mount lenses. The illuminated particles in a volume of respectively 0.6 and 9.3 liters are recorded simultaneously onto two Hi8 recorders. The cameras are positioned perpendicular to the light slab and only illuminated particles in dark background are recorded. The short flash duration (pulse duration = 30 µs) allows a fast lowering speed (up to 1,5 m/s) without the deterioration of image quality. Four 100 W spotlights can be used instead of the stroboscopes for continuous observations of a larger non structured water volume. In this case the lowering speed is slower. Depth, temperature and conductivity data are acquired using a Seabird Seacat 19 CTD probe (S/N 1539) with fluorometer and nephelometer (both from Chelsea Instruments Ltd.). The system is powered by four 24V batteries and is piloted by a Texas 370 microprocessor. The data acquisition can be time or depth related and programmed prior to the immersion.. The UVP is well adapted to count and measure fragile aggregates such as marine snow as well as delicate zooplankton.

Describe the techniques used for positioning the instrumentation.

The depth of the images is obtained with the SBE19 probe fixed in the main frame and geographical position by the ships instruments (mainly GPS).

Please comment on any limitations associated with using this sampling strategy.

Daylight can modify the optical properties of particles in the upper 10-80 meters. The depth range of this layer depends on the characteristics of the light penetration. Therefore, data analysis starts at depth where the measured background value of daylight remains identical to that of night profiles or to that of deep layers, not influenced by changing light regimes.

B. Sample Processing

State whether sample was processed in-situ, shipboard or laboratory.

Samples consist of Hi8 video tapes and CTD data, see data processing below.

Data processing, modelling and analysis includes the further manipulation, processing or enhancement of this generated data.

C. Data Processing, Modelling/Analysis

  1. Describe clearly the different stages in processing and analysing the data.

The UVP has two important features: a) it does not disturb the recorded particles or organisms and b) it allows quick data retrieval and processing. Processing of images obtained by the UVP in the structured light beam is automated. Onboard, a rapid image analysis is carried out (depending on the computer specifications). The recorded profile is digitised without compression using a Imaging Technology frame grabber (765 x 560 x 256 pixel matrix). The images are analysed and treated automatically by custom-made software. The objects (> than 2 pixels) in each image are detected and enumerated. The area and maximum length of every individual object is measured. Data are stored in an ASCII file and can be combined with the associated CTD, fluorometer and nephelometer data (Seasoft Software) using a spreadsheet software. Vertical profiles can be printed out onboard, approximately 30 min. after the recovery of the UVP.

The complete profile, consisting of approximately 25 000 images (0-1000 m profile at a 1m/s lowering speed and at the acquisition rate of 25 images/s) is treated in the laboratory by two custom built programs. The first, written in Visual C++ (Microsoft), digitises the images from a Hi8 player at normal speed and without compression and performs the image analysis. Data concerning the number of particles per image and their attributes are stocked in an ASCII file. The second program (MATLAB, Scientific Software) is used for data treatment and presentation.

The results of the calibrations indicate that the tested configuration can detect 90 µm-sized particles (under validation 15/5/2000). The metric surface as a function of the pixel surface for the 24 mm and 6 mm lens cameras can be expressed by the following equations:

24 mm : Y= 0.0024 X 1.3728, r2= 0.7784;

6 mm : Y= 0.008 X 1.556, r2=0.828.

The metric lengh as function of the maximum pixel lengh for the 24 mm camera can be expressed as below :

Lm=LP x 0.1212, r²=0.9347

The calibrations were carried out in a dark test tank filled with 3 m3 filtered (20 µm) sea water. The brightness measured in the test tank was similar to that in the aphotic layers. A calibration grid, placed at different depths of the light slab, was used to estimate the recorded water volume. The dimensions and volume of the parallel light beam recorded by the 24 mm and the 6 mm cameras are 100 x 75 x 79 mm representing 0.6 litre, and 408 x 307 x 74 mm representing 9.3 litres respectively. The pixel/mm relationship was calibrated in a test tank by injection of biological particles (range 90 µm - 20 mm) measured prior to their use with a stereomicroscope (Gorsky et al., Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science, in press).

 

Bodies of zooplankton might be recorded and considered as particles. We analysed and compared zooplankton profiles with profiles of particles at sea (Stemmann et al., Deep-Sea Research, in press). The number of living organisms was found to be one or two orders of magnitude lower than that of large non-living particles.

 

INSTRUMENT/METHOD .....Optical & CTD sensors.. IDENTIFIER : (given by the data center)

NAME : Underwater Video Profiler 3 (U.V.P.3b)
project:MTP II-MATER
Description of the main instruments/methods used at sea and in the laboratory during the project
Examples : CTD, Current meter, salinometer, sediment trap, spectrometer ...

Laboratory (Owner of the instrument or who performs the method ):
Laboratoire d’Océanographie Biologique et Ecologie du Plancton Marin (LOBEPM)

Address :
Station Zoologique
BP 28
06234 Villefranche sur mer

Tel : 0493763816 Fax : 0493763834

Email : Gorsky@obs-vlfr.fr

Contact Scientist :

Gabriel GORSKY

INSTRUMENT NAME (60) : Underwater Video Profiler III b(U.V.P.IIIb)
MANUFACTURER (60) : LOBEPM
MANUFACTURING DATE (10) : June 1996
SERIAL NUMBER (20) : CTD S/N 1539

DESCRIPTION (240) :

Version 3b of the UVP. Built for the study of MARINE SNOW and ZOOPLANKTON.

Coupled with SBE19 pumped CTD and Chelsea Fluorometer and Nephelometer.

TECHNICAL CHARACTERISTICS (240) :

1000 m operational depth / 2 CCD B&W cameras (24 & 6 mm lenses) / In situ recordings at 25 Hz
Marine snow mode with structured strobes lights : 0.6 & 9.3 litres analysed volume per image for
90 & 240 µm ESD detection limits. (>90 & >460 µm available data set.)
Zooplankton mode with continuous 400 W spots : viewed surface :
425 x 325 mm at 500 mm from the lenses.

Time synchronisation with CTD.
See SBE for SBE19 probe characteristics ( http://www.seabird.com/ )
See Chelsea for Aquatracka Nephelometer & Fluorometer characteristics ( http://www.chelsea.co.uk / )

COMMENTS (120)

INSTRUMENT TYPE (circle the main type) :

In situ Sensor (default) Transmitter/Receiver On board recorder
Drifter Towed platform Expendable sensor

OTHER ATTACHED EQUIPEMENT (in case of complex multi sensor:Paltform equipment) (10) :

DATE (of updating this form) : 05-17-00

MEASURED PARAMETER 1

CALIBRATION DATE

CRUISES

COMMENTS

Temperature S/N 1539

11-2-94

  

SBE Lab.
 

10-11-97

  

SBE Lab.
 

5-5-99

  

SBE Lab.
 

03-05-00

  

SBE Lab.

MEASURED PARAMETER 2

CALIBRATION DATE

CRUISES

COMMENTS

Conductivity S/N 1539

11-2-94

  

SBE Lab.
 

10-11-97

  

SBE Lab.
 

5-5-99

  

SBE Lab.
 

03-05-00

  

SBE Lab.

 

MEASURED PARAMETER 3

CALIBRATION DATE

CRUISES

COMMENTS

Pressure S/N 1539

11-2-94

  

SBE Lab.
 

10-11-97

  

SBE Lab.
 

5-5-99

  

SBE Lab.
 

03-05-00

  

SBE Lab.

 

MEASURED PARAMETER 4

CALIBRATION DATE

CRUISES

COMMENTS

Nephelometer S/N 88/167

9-24-96

  

Chelsea Lab.
       

MEASURED PARAMETER 5

CALIBRATION DATE

CRUISES

COMMENTS

Fluorometer S/N 88/2615/123

1-5-95

  

Chelsea Lab.
       

MEASURED PARAMETER 6

CALIBRATION DATE

CRUISES

COMMENTS

24 mm camera for particles > 100 µm

6/99 under process

  

LOBEPM
       

MEASURED PARAMETER 7

CALIBRATION DATE

CRUISES

COMMENTS

6 mm camera for particles > 460 µm

6/99 under process

  

LOBEPM
       

 

BIBLIOGRAPHICAL REFERENCES (METHODOLOGY) :

Gorsky, G., Aldorf, C., Picheral, M., Kage, M., Garcia,Y. and J. Favole (1992) Vertical distribution of suspended aggregates determined by a new Underwater Video Profiler. Ann. Inst. oceanogr., Paris, 68 (1-2): 275-280.

Gorsky, G., Picheral, M. and L. Stemmann (2000) Use of the Underwater Video Profiler for the Study of Aggregate Dynamics in the North Mediterranean. Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science.

Picheral, M., Grisoni, J-M., Stemmann, L. and G. Gorsky (1998) Underwater Video Profiler for the "in situ" study of suspended particulate matter. OCEANS 98, 28 September- 1 October, IEEE/OES conference, Nice, p. 171-174.

Picheral, M., Stemmann. L. et G. Gorsky (1995) Système multiparamètrique pour la mesure et la quantification de la matière particulaire en suspension dans la colonne d'eau. 3e Colloque Européen Des Capteurs pour l'Environnement, Grenoble, 30-31 Mars 1995. pp. 162-165.

Stemmann, L. (1998) Analyse spatio-temporelle de la matière particulaire. Thèse Doctorale, Université Paris 6, pp 178.

Stemmann, L., Picheral, M. and G. Gorsky. (2000) Diel changes in the vertical distribution of suspended particulate matter in the NW Mediterranean Sea investigated with the Underwater Video Profiler. Deep-Sea Research.

INSTRUMENT/METHOD ..... CTD sensors.. IDENTIFIER : (given by the data center)

NAME : SBE19
project:MTP II-MATER
Description of the main instruments/methods used at sea and in the laboratory during the project.
Examples : CTD, Current meter, salinometer, sediment trap, spectrometer ...

Laboratory (Owner of the instrument or who performs the method ):

Laboratoire d’Océanographie Biologique et Ecologie du Plancton Marin (LOBEPM)

Address :

Station Zoologique
BP 28
06234 Villefranche sur mer

Tel : 0493763816 Fax : 0493763834

Email : Gorsky@ccrv.obs-vlfr.fr

Contact Scientist :

Gabriel GORSKY

INSTRUMENT NAME (60) : SBE19

MANUFACTURER (60) : SeaBird (http://www.seabird.com/)

MANUFACTURING DATE (10) :

SERIAL NUMBER (20) : CTD : S/N 1539, Fluorometer Chelsea 88/2615/123, Nephelometer Chelsea: 88/167

DESCRIPTION (240) : CTD, Fluorometer (E : 430 nm, R : 685 nm) and

Nephelometer (E : 430 nm, R : 430 nm) probe

 

TECHNICAL CHARACTERISTICS (240) :

See SBE for SBE9 probe characteristics ( http://www.seabird.com/ )
See Chelsea for Aquatracka Nephelometer & Fluorometer characteristics ( http://www.chelsea.co.uk / )

COMMENTS (120)

INSTRUMENT TYPE (circle the main type) :

In situ Sensor (default) Transmitter/Receiver On board recorder

Drifter Towed platform Expendable sensor

 

OTHER ATTACHED EQUIPEMENT (in case of complex multi sensor:Paltform equipment) (10) :

DATE (of updating this form) : 05-17-00

   

MEASURED PARAMETER 1

CALIBRATION DATE

CRUISES

COMMENTS

Temperature S/N 1539

11-2-94

  

SBE Lab.
 

10-11-97

  

SBE Lab.
 

5-5-99

  

SBE Lab.
 

3-5-2000

  

SBE Lab.

MEASURED PARAMETER 2

CALIBRATION DATE

CRUISES

COMMENTS

Conductivity S/N 1539

11-2-94

  

SBE Lab.
 

10-11-97

  

SBE Lab.
 

5-5-99

  

SBE Lab.
 

3-5-2000

  

SBE Lab.

MEASURED PARAMETER 3

CALIBRATION DATE

CRUISES

COMMENTS

Pressure S/N 1539

11-2-94

  

SBE Lab.
 

10-11-97

  

SBE Lab.
 

5-5-99

  

SBE Lab.
 

3-5-2000

  

SBE Lab.

MEASURED PARAMETER 4

CALIBRATION DATE

CRUISES

COMMENTS

Nephelometer S/N 88/167

9-24-96

  

Chelsea Lab.
       

MEASURED PARAMETER 5

CALIBRATION DATE

CRUISES

COMMENTS

Fluorometer S/N 88/2615/123

1-5-95

  

Chelsea Lab.
       

 

 

BIBLIOGRAPHICAL REFERENCES (METHODOLOGY) :