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The project research addresses our long-term goal to develop an analytical suite of the Advanced Laser Fluorescence (ALF) methods and instruments to improve our capacity for characterization of aquatic environments. The ALF technique uniquely combines spectrally and temporally resolved measurements of the laser-stimulated emission (LSE) to provide assessments of key variables, including chlorophyll a (Chl a), chromophoric dissolved organic matter (CDOM), and phycobiliprotein-containing phytoplankton and cyanobacteria. The pump-during-probe measurements of variable fluorescence, Fv/Fm, yield assessments of phytoplankton photophysiological status. An extensive series of ALF measurements in diverse water types has demonstrated ALF utility as an integrated tool for aquatic research and observations. The specific goal of the project is to develop the next generation, commercial ALF sensors for oceanographic research, validation of satellite ocean color data, and environmental monitoring. The objectives are: 1. To develop the Aquatic Laser Fluorescence Analyzer (ALFA) for laboratory and field applications, including discrete sample analysis and underway shipboard measurements. 2. To develop the ALF In Situ (ALFIS) fiber-probe sensor. 3. To integrate, test and deploy the ALFA and ALFIS sensors on the solar-powered AUVs and research cruises. 4. To initiate operational use of the new ALF instruments for ecological and biogeochemical measurements, and validation of ocean color remote sensing.

Coastal waters represent the commingling of offshore marine and terrestrial surface source waters and therefore are naturally complex and variable. Our long term goal is to establish observational and modeling approaches to predict sources and scales of variability in the source waters, particularly those related to land use activities in upstream watersheds, from observations and measurements in the coastal waters. Hydrologic optics provides an approach to characterizing physical and biogeochemical processes in aquatic systems over a range of time and space scales. The linkage between observations of the inherent optical properties (IOPs; absorption, scattering and fluorescence) and the geophysical properties lie in the establishment of robust optical proxies and the quantification of the temporal and spatial scales over which these proxies remain conservative in their properties. Our objectives are to identify and quantify specific optical and chemical characteristics of the colored particulate and dissolved fractions originating in the Penobscot River system that are associated with defined land use activities (land use proxies), and to determine the scales of variability over which these proxies can be detected both temporally (i.e. seasonal and episodic events) and spatially (from the source into coastal waters).

Coastal waters represent the commingling of offshore marine and terrestrial surface source waters and therefore are naturally complex and variable. Our long term goal is to establish observational and modeling approaches to predict sources and scales of variability in the source waters, particularly those related to land use activities in upstream watersheds, from observations and measurements in the coastal waters. Hydrologic optics provides an approach to characterizing physical and biogeochemical processes in aquatic systems over a range of time and space scales. The linkage between observations of the inherent optical properties (IOPs; absorption, scattering and fluorescence) and the geophysical properties lie in the establishment of robust optical proxies and the quantification of the temporal and spatial scales over which these proxies remain conservative in their properties. Our objectives are to identify and quantify specific optical and chemical characteristics of the colored particulate and dissolved fractions originating in the Penobscot River system that are associated with defined land use activities (land use proxies), and to determine the scales of variability over which these proxies can be detected both temporally (i.e. seasonal and episodic events) and spatially (from the source into coastal waters).

In this final technical report we have provided results of initial analyses into the design of a light-weight, autonomous, modular, bottom-up vertical profiling system named Mini AMP. The results of these analyses were used to produce a set of mechanical and electrical specifications and designs for the Mini AMP that emphasizes operational reliability, ease of use, and configuration flexibility. We believe that the results of this Phase I research effort demonstrate the feasibility of developing a Mini AMP system, positioning us to take this project to Phase II. We present a development pathway that will lead to the successful implementation and construction of the Mini AMP system. Our goal is to develop a multi-parameter, reliable, long-term vertical profiling capability that promise to significantly advance observational science and monitoring of coastal waters. The Mini AMP system will provide a reliable, easy to maintain, and rapidly deployable/recoverable solution to obtaining long term, high vertical resolution profiles of important physical and bio-optical properties in coastal regions.