Oceanographic research instrument arrives in Hobart

An oceanographic research instrument, which will be part of the onboard equipment on the research vessel Investigator, has arrived at CSIRO in Hobart.

The Triaxus, purchased from underwater technology company MacArtney Australia, is made from carbon fibre. It is hydrodynamically designed to be towed up to 3 km behind the ship and to collect data quickly, while ‘flying’ from the surface down to 350 m.

“The scientists on board Investigator will be able to control the flight path of the Triaxus to develop a 2D picture of the ocean across hundreds of kilometres,” said Toni Moate, the executive director of the Future Research Vessel Project.

Biological oceanographers will use the device to determine the health of the ocean, collecting data on phytoplankton, salinity, temperature and light levels. Physical oceanographers will collect data about ocean currents descending undersea canyons, or when cooler waters are forced to the surface by ocean dynamics. Meteorologists will meanwhile improve weather and climate forecasting.

Dr Lindsay Pender from the Future Research Vessel Project Technical Team said it is critical to understand how the ocean interplays with the production of phytoplankton.

“The Triaxus will be used to estimate the amount of phytoplankton (small floating plants), which are the start of the food chain in the oceans,” Dr Pender said.

“The equipment collects the data by shining a blue light onto the phytoplankton, which then emits a fluorescent signal.

“The returning fluorescent signal is measured by a fluorometer mounted on the Triaxus, and these data are used to determine where fish and other animals in the ocean start their lives, and the location of their food sources.”