Centre for Environmental Observation Technology & Research

Centre for Environmental Observation Technology & Research

The Centre for Environmental Observation Technology and Research (CEOTR), based at the Department of Oceanography, Dalhousie University (www.cmep.ca), is dedicated to developing new technologies for optical observations of the environment. The group of about 15 scientists and students was established in 1995 as part of an industry/university partnership supported by the National Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada. Working with our industrial partner, Satlantic, Inc. (www.satlantic.com), we at CEOTR have an active program of research and development, aimed at designing a new generation of optical observation systems that are powerful, yet simple and relatively inexpensive. Our arms-length partnership is open to participation by other manufacturers of instruments.


Optical instruments are assuming a central role in observing and assessing environmental variability in oceans, coastal waters, and lakes. This is because variations in the color and clarity of natural waters are determined by microorganisms, dissolved organic matter, and suspended solids - the concentrations of which relate directly to aquatic productivity and water quality. By making quantitative optical observations, it is possible to characterize important types of environmental change: Eutrophication or remediation; environmental degradation; harmful as well as beneficial algal blooms; alterations of aquatic systems associated with climate change; spatial or temporal variations in productivity relevant to fisheries and ocean's role in the greenhouse effect.


Measurements and predictions of optical variability in coastal and oceanic waters are also important for naval defense applications. The development of in situ optical instruments, and quantitative interpretations of what they measure, is a central goal of CEOTR. This activity is now to a large extent conducted by the Centre for marine Environmental Prediction (CMEP) at Dalhousie University.


Research Projects:


I) Optical Variability In Coastal Waters: Using in situ measurements of ocean color (upwelling radiance) to estimate water transparency at different wavelengths as well as the abundance and community structure of phytoplankton. This work also supports satellite remote sensing. Relating the distributions of dissolved organic matter and the penetration of UV in coastal waters to in situ measurements of ocean color (upwelling radiance) in visible and UV wavebands. In conjunction with measurements of solar irradiance, this information provides the basis for quantifying photochemical transformations in surface waters by remote sensing.


II) Red Tides and Other Algal Blooms: Simple optical instruments on moorings are used for detection of algal blooms, even below the surface. Early detection is important for the protection of public health and aquaculture sites. Feasibility of using optical instruments on moorings for long-term environmental assessment of coastal waters, including quantitative records of blooms.

Company Details

Company Information

John J. Cullen
Title: Manager
Telephone: (902) 494-6667
Fax: (902) 494-2039
Email: Click Here

Products

Environmental Products And Services

Filter-based Radiometers Complemented By Models Of Solar Radiation And Environmental Effects Of Ultraviolet Radiation.
Environmental ultraviolet radiation (UV) is increasingly recognized as a potent ecological factor, affecting many biological and biogeochemical processes as well as human health and economically important materials. Solar UV varies predictably with latitude, season and time of day, but there are also significant changes with atmospheric conditions, including variability in the ozone layer. The penetration of solar UV into natural waters is also quite variable: in some lakes, harmful wavelengths of UV are almost completely absorbed in the upper few centimeters, whereas in some parts of the ocean, they penetrate tens of meters. Accurate description of the distributions of harmful UV in aquatic and terrestrial environments requires appropriate measurements and informed analysis. The Centre for Environmental Observation Technology and Research (CEOTR) is a University / Industry Partnership dedicated to developing new technologies for characterizing environmental change. We have internationally recognized expertise in the measurement of environmental radiation and in the assessment of UV impacts and we can provide solutions for the measurement of UV and interpretation of results. If you want to establish a program for the measurement of UV, we can help.

Moored Instruments To Measure Optical Properties Of Surface Waters.
Optical instruments are assuming a central role in observing and assessing environmental variability in oceans, coastal waters, and lakes. This is because variations in the color and clarity of natural waters are determined by microorganisms, dissolved organic matter, and suspended solids - the concentrations of which relate directly to aquatic productivity and water quality. By making quantitative optical observations, it is possible to characterize important types of environmental change: eutrophication or remediation, environmental degradation, beneficial as well as harmful algal blooms, alterations of aquatic systems associated with climate change, and spatial or temporal variations in productivity relevant to fisheries and ocean's role in the greenhouse effect. Measurements and predictions of optical variability in coastal and oceanic waters are also important for naval defense applications. The development of in situ optical instruments, and quantitative interpretations of what they measure, is a central goal of CEOTR.

Services