Progress and discovery in the understanding and modeling of biological productivity and species composition in the marine environment is limited by our ability to make macronutrient and bioactive trace metal measurements at relevant spatial and temporal scales. While significant progress has been made with the advent of UV and microfluidic nitrate sensors, there are still few analytical systems for other important macronutrient species (P, Si, NH₃) and virtually none for bioactive trace metals that can be deployed on the expanding array of platforms dedicated to long term unattended data gathering (i.e., moorings, gliders, profilers), particularly in oligotrophic surface ocean settings.

 

This session aims to: (1) highlight the latest developments in macronutrient and bioactive trace metal analytical methodologies with strong potential or demonstrated capabilities for unattended operation in coastal and open ocean settings and, (2) serve as a forum to nurture collaborations among sensor developers and oceanographers with an engineering and analytical chemistry inclination. Contributions from all stages of development are encouraged including: remote samplers, passive samplers, reagent-based microfluidic analyzers including the use of novel chemical probes, electrochemical methods, optical sensors, as well as the optimization, calibration, and field validation of emerging in situ technologies.