LabSTAF Laboratory PhytoPP

The Chelsea Technologies Single Turnover Active Fluorometry (STAF) is for measuring phytoplankton primary productivity (PhytoPP)

LabSTAF Is the next generation of STAF-based primary productivity instrumentation to measure algal activity. The system incorporates unparalleled sensitivity with a wide dynamic range, allowing for measurements in all environments: from reservoirs and lakes to open ocean.

What is LabSTAF?

• Monitoring phytoplankton primary productivity using the latest in STAF technology
• Unparalleled sensitivity allowing measurements in extreme oligotrophic waters
• Wide dynamic range providing reliable measurements from open ocean, coastal waters and lakes
• Fully automated acquisition allows for continuous measurements without manual intervention
• Compact and robust portable unit – ideal for deployment on research vessels and outdoor locations
• Automated sample exchange and system cleaning for extended autonomous operation

LabSTAF at a Glance

• Benchtop instrument to measure primary productivity using fluorescence, giving data for over 50 useful parameters within 15 minutes
• LabSTAF includes a peristaltic pump, solenoid unit and flow-through stirrer unit to provide for mixing, sample exchange and a periodic cleaning cycle.
• Also included is a Surface Go 2 laptop, pre-installed with the regularly updated RunSTAF software.
• Data from LabSTAF is interpreted and analysed internally in the included Surface Go

What can LabSTAF do for you?

• Measure – A fast, lightweight device to measure algal activity
• Automate – continuous automated data measurement
• Versatile – Suitable for use in all environments
• Precision – Wide dynamic range with extreme sensitivity at low biomass
• Practical – Low cost, robust portable unit designed to be operated by a single person
• Inform – Health, growth and type of algae datasets

Applications

• Analysis of the biochemistry and ecology of aquatic systems
• Verification of satellite data
• Facilitates measurement at scales from mesoscale eddies to oceanic fronts
• Climate change research and modelling
• Monitoring of algal bloom development and community structure
• Ecological monitoring to manage water catchments
• Identify and mitigate sources affecting water quality in catchments
• Quantitative assessment for the fundamental systems driving the global carbon cycle
• Measurement of PSII photochemical flux per unit volume (JV_PII) to provide an upper limit to PhytoPP at high spatiotemporal scales

What’s the Problem?

Traditional methods of measuring primary productivity (algae) make acquiring good data for ocean science challenging:

• Satellite remote sensing methodology is the broadest large-scale method, but produces large errors, requires validation and is unable to probe below the surface
• Traditional methods such as C14 fixation are slow, expensive laboratory-based processes requiring handling and training protocols for radioisotopes, with extremely long incubation times of 8-24hrs.

What’s the Solution?

LabSTAF, using  Single Turnover Active Fluorometry (STAF) technology, provides a revolutionary new method to enable large-scale PhytoPP assessment. LabSTAF is the first of a range of STAF-based products from Chelsea technologies enabling large-scale analysis:

• Monitoring phytoplankton primary productivity using latest technology
• Unparalleled sensitivity allowing for measurements in extreme oligotrophic water
• Fully automated acquisition for continuous measurements
• Wide dynamic range providing reliable measurements in open oceans and lakes
• Advanced corrections as standard seven waveband excitation, baseline subtraction
• Compact and robust portable unit ideal for research vessels and outdoor locations