IFCB Webinar #2 Highlights: Lessons from Time/Moored-Based IFCB Observations
The second webinar in the Ocean Observatories Initiative Facility Board (OOIFB) four-part IFCB webinar series focused on time/moored-based Imaging FlowCytobot (IFCB) deployments and the challenges of operating IFCBs on sustained ocean observing platforms.
The webinar speakers were Kylene Cooley, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI), who leads IFCB operations for the OOI Pioneer Mid-Atlantic Bight (MAB) Array, and Kasia Kenitz, Southern California Coastal Ocean Observing System, who discussed IFCB operations on the Del Mar Mooring in the California IFCB Network. Both shared practical lessons from deploying and maintaining IFCBs in long-term, moored observing systems.
Cooley shared lessons from deploying IFCBs on the Pioneer MAB Array, where the instruments operate for extended periods with limited physical access and satellite communications. She discussed the importance of preparing and testing the IFCB before deployment, including pressure and power testing, instrument burn-in, automatic startup configuration, and coordination with the mooring team. She also described challenges encountered during deployments, including biofouling, power supply issues, instrument alignment, and weather conditions that can limit access to the moorings.
Kenitz described IFCB operations on the Del Mar Mooring, where the instrument is solar-powered and uses cellular communications for near-real-time data transfer and remote monitoring. Increased solar capacity has allowed the IFCB to sample more frequently, moving from every three to four hours to every one to two hours. She also discussed challenges with operating the IFCB alongside other sensors, including mechanical pump noise that can interfere with velocity measurements. Both presentations highlighted the importance of routine cleaning, antifouling measures, remote monitoring, and pre-deployment testing for long-term IFCB deployments.
The remaining webinars in the series will focus on space/ship-based IFCBs and experiments and lab-based studies. To learn more, view webinar recordings, and find upcoming dates, visit the OOIFB webpage.