FIRe-Glider

Project Overview

FIRe-Glider developed and deployed a novel variable fluorescence sensor on autonomous underwater gliders to measure phytoplankton photophysiology in situ. Variable fluorescence provides information about phytoplankton health, nutrient stress, and photosynthetic efficiency that cannot be obtained from traditional sensors.

The project involved sensor development, laboratory calibration, field validation, and analysis of datasets from multiple glider deployments in Antarctic waters. This work demonstrated the feasibility of capturing phytoplankton physiological state at high spatial and temporal resolution using autonomous platforms.

FIRe-Glider advanced our ability to diagnose the mechanisms controlling phytoplankton dynamics from autonomous observations, with applications to understanding ecosystem responses to environmental change.