Benthic Fluid Flow
The Benthic Fluid Flow sampler measures fluid flow at the sediment-water interface by monitoring the dilution of a chemical tracer injected into fluids at the seabed and collected in small-bore, capillary tubing by osmotic pumps.
The “C” series of this instrument is a Chemical and Aqueous Transport (CAT) meter, and is deployed on or near methane seeps at the Southern Hydrate Ridge seabed. The recovered fluids are analyzed for chemical tracer and major ion concentrations, and flow rates are calculated.
The “M” series of this instrument is a Multiple Orifice Sampler and Quantitative Injection Tracer Observer (MOSQUITO), and is deployed on or near methane seeps at the Southern Hydrate Ridge seabed. The recovered fluids are analyzed for chemical tracer and major ion concentrations, and flow rates are calculated.
These instruments are deployed at methane seep sites at Hydrate Ridge, which is critical to determining the flux of methane, hydrogen sulfide, and other gases that are emitted into the overlying ocean. Methane is especially important because it is a greenhouse gas, and it and other gases support novel microbial communities that thrive in and on the seafloor at these sites, and in the overlying ocean.
(text and images courtesy of Interactive Oceans)
Data Products
This instrument measures the following data products. Select a data product's name to learn more.
| Data Product | Code | DPS |
|---|---|---|
| Benthic Flow Rates | BENTHFL |
Instrument Models & Deployed Locations
The OOI includes the following instrument makes and models for this instrument type. Follow the links below to find out where in the OOI this instrument has been deployed. You'll also find quick links for each instrument to Data Explorer, where you can plot and access data.
| Class-Series | Make | Model |
|---|---|---|
| FLOBNC | Tryon, UCSD | CAT meter |
| FLOBNM | Solomon, UW | Mosquito benthic flow sampler |
Reference Information
The Core Instrument Analytical Results data repository contains processed analytical data and metadata for a subset of Cabled Array instruments that collect fluid or particulate samples that are brought back to shore and analyzed in a laboratory. Numerical and other processed analytical results are generally provided in spreadsheet form. Associated metadata files including analytical protocols, sampling and recovery notes, and sample log files are presented in .pdf format. As-deployed images of instruments are provided in .jpg format, with image metadata summarized in spreadsheet-based catalogs.
The FLOBN-C analytical results can be found here: Southern Hydrate Ridge FLOBN-C Data
The FLOBN-M analytical results can be found here: Southern Hydrate Ridge FLOBN-M Data – COMING SOON
Primary Science Discipline
Chemical