Part B | 18.10
436 Part B Autonomous Ocean Vehicles, Subsystems and Control
18.8 AUV-Based Biological Sensors – Horizons
Biological sensors to date have been developed for
productivity measurements, species-specific detection,
and organism mobility, among other targets. In order
to measure biologic reactions and physiological function in ocean ecosystems, additional biosensors will
need to emerge. Biological sensors can provide key
real-time information on the function, structure, and
composition of biologically influenced ocean ecosystems. AUV biosensors will evolve for monitoring all
levels of biota, from microbiological (microscopy and
imaging) to apex levels in the eukaryotic domain (passive acoustics tags). Future and existing technologies
that need to be improved for AUV field deployment include: genomic-based sensors that identify community
structure through phylogenetic fingerprinting methods
or biological function by detecting gene expression and
transcription; and proteomic-based sensors that measure protein expression patterns in biota. Metabolomicbased sensors that measure functional biota metabolic
byproducts are a topic area ready for additional AUVsensor systems development. Similarly to chemical
sensors, the bio-space is largely fragmented and will require some revisions for specialized applications. Sensors that measure ocean biotic morphology, the shape
and look of the organism in question, as well as sensors
that provide reliable quantitative information related to
growth rates are opportunities for transport of solutions
from terrestrial life science microscopy innovations to
the AUV sensing arena. New AUV sensor formats that
detect the initiation and extent of primary production,
as well as detection of predation levels and additional
pathogens, will yield meaningful solutions in time.
These would include invasive species and stress indicators along with toxicological responses.
18.9 Autonomous Sampling Systems – Extending Real-Time AUV Sensors
Higher content information of the ecosystems biotic
layer is needed and desirable [18.31–33], along with simultaneous chemical and physical measurements. For
those biological and chemical measurements that are
not feasible by in-situ sensors (for example, isotope
tracer measurements), modular high-resolution collection devices provide an approach to supply these
difficult measurements. Configurable automated sampling/archiving modules on AUVs provide a solution
that combines adaptive field sampling with subsequent
analysis of acquired samples on established laboratory
instruments using established assays. This samplingAUV methodology enables complex chem/bio/physical
measurements that compliment current and emerging
AUV sensors.
Sampling technology will yield programmable systems capable of sampling with offline or online detectors while providing correlated high content information. The methodologies and automated systems can
be targeted towards selected targets but with simple
modification should be able to capture a wide range
of intended chemical/biochemical/particulate material.
One example of an adaptive sampling strategy would
be the control of high end analytical fluidic sample
processors triggered by a co-resident sensor that is
commonly available – e.g., a nitrate sensor triggers
sampling for isotopic analysis, or a bio-optical or physical sensor triggers the initiation of a confirmatory gene
sampler.
This approach is a technology solution for persistent
(temporal) and long-range (spatial) AUV derived automated/mobile/adaptive screening and sampling. It can
be used for establishing baseline, responding, monitoring, and controlling ecosystems. This single technology
can provide a range of adaptive and intelligent support
for characterizing indicator chemistry, microbiology,
and micro-particulate matter of an ecosystem, before,
during, or after some time period. The sampling-AUV
is based on three advanced technology components
brought together into a unified approach:
1. Autonomous underwater vehicle
2. Adaptive real-time sensing module
3. Robotic fluidic sampler/archival unit.
Such a sensor-triggered robotic sampling system
can either augment ship-based surveys or completely
eliminate the need for expensive research vessel time
while opening the access to the sea further to AUV
technology.
18.10 Non-Acoustic Sensor Packaging
Non-acoustic sensors for ocean environment can be
more highly affected by ocean deployment conditions
than acoustic sensors (Table 18.2). Harsh environment
salts, corrosion, vibration-motion, and biofouling will
436 Part B Autonomous Ocean Vehicles, Subsystems and Control
18.8 AUV-Based Biological Sensors – Horizons
Biological sensors to date have been developed for
productivity measurements, species-specific detection,
and organism mobility, among other targets. In order
to measure biologic reactions and physiological function in ocean ecosystems, additional biosensors will
need to emerge. Biological sensors can provide key
real-time information on the function, structure, and
composition of biologically influenced ocean ecosystems. AUV biosensors will evolve for monitoring all
levels of biota, from microbiological (microscopy and
imaging) to apex levels in the eukaryotic domain (passive acoustics tags). Future and existing technologies
that need to be improved for AUV field deployment include: genomic-based sensors that identify community
structure through phylogenetic fingerprinting methods
or biological function by detecting gene expression and
transcription; and proteomic-based sensors that measure protein expression patterns in biota. Metabolomicbased sensors that measure functional biota metabolic
byproducts are a topic area ready for additional AUVsensor systems development. Similarly to chemical
sensors, the bio-space is largely fragmented and will require some revisions for specialized applications. Sensors that measure ocean biotic morphology, the shape
and look of the organism in question, as well as sensors
that provide reliable quantitative information related to
growth rates are opportunities for transport of solutions
from terrestrial life science microscopy innovations to
the AUV sensing arena. New AUV sensor formats that
detect the initiation and extent of primary production,
as well as detection of predation levels and additional
pathogens, will yield meaningful solutions in time.
These would include invasive species and stress indicators along with toxicological responses.
18.9 Autonomous Sampling Systems – Extending Real-Time AUV Sensors
Higher content information of the ecosystems biotic
layer is needed and desirable [18.31–33], along with simultaneous chemical and physical measurements. For
those biological and chemical measurements that are
not feasible by in-situ sensors (for example, isotope
tracer measurements), modular high-resolution collection devices provide an approach to supply these
difficult measurements. Configurable automated sampling/archiving modules on AUVs provide a solution
that combines adaptive field sampling with subsequent
analysis of acquired samples on established laboratory
instruments using established assays. This samplingAUV methodology enables complex chem/bio/physical
measurements that compliment current and emerging
AUV sensors.
Sampling technology will yield programmable systems capable of sampling with offline or online detectors while providing correlated high content information. The methodologies and automated systems can
be targeted towards selected targets but with simple
modification should be able to capture a wide range
of intended chemical/biochemical/particulate material.
One example of an adaptive sampling strategy would
be the control of high end analytical fluidic sample
processors triggered by a co-resident sensor that is
commonly available – e.g., a nitrate sensor triggers
sampling for isotopic analysis, or a bio-optical or physical sensor triggers the initiation of a confirmatory gene
sampler.
This approach is a technology solution for persistent
(temporal) and long-range (spatial) AUV derived automated/mobile/adaptive screening and sampling. It can
be used for establishing baseline, responding, monitoring, and controlling ecosystems. This single technology
can provide a range of adaptive and intelligent support
for characterizing indicator chemistry, microbiology,
and micro-particulate matter of an ecosystem, before,
during, or after some time period. The sampling-AUV
is based on three advanced technology components
brought together into a unified approach:
1. Autonomous underwater vehicle
2. Adaptive real-time sensing module
3. Robotic fluidic sampler/archival unit.
Such a sensor-triggered robotic sampling system
can either augment ship-based surveys or completely
eliminate the need for expensive research vessel time
while opening the access to the sea further to AUV
technology.
18.10 Non-Acoustic Sensor Packaging
Non-acoustic sensors for ocean environment can be
more highly affected by ocean deployment conditions
than acoustic sensors (Table 18.2). Harsh environment
salts, corrosion, vibration-motion, and biofouling will