Fibre Optic Remote Sensing for In Situ Measurement of Marine Optical Properties

The introduction of fibre optics into the ocean environment for sensing applications presents a number of design and operational challenges. This paper describes a remote sensing capability which has been developed for chlorophyll-a fluorescence measurement in phytoplankton through a fibre optic cable and optical sensing head assembly, providing an alternative to pumping or submersible instruments for in situ measurement. The optical head configuration can also be adapted for other in situ measurements such as effluent and turbidity monitoring using standard laboratory instruments.