Advancements in Technology Enhance Understanding of Oxygen

An international team of scientists on a Schmidt Ocean Institute expedition has made a groundbreaking discovery in the Southeast Pacific Ocean using a new technology called the mini trace analyzer insitu logger, or mTail. The team found sporadic pockets of water with trace amounts of oxygen in an area where oxygen levels have historically been undetectable.

This discovery challenges previous understanding of the Oxygen Minimum Zone (OMZ) ecosystem, shedding light on the presence of oxygen in a region where traditional oceanographic equipment has failed to detect it. The mTail device, developed by Drs. Morten Larsen, Bo Thamdrup, and Laura Bristow, offers high-resolution oxygen measurements that were previously unattainable.

OMZs are crucial ecosystems that extend from 100 to 1000 meters depth, where oxygen levels are typically below detection limits. The team’s use of custom-built technologies specifically designed for the OMZ has provided new insights into the functioning of this globally important environment.

Dr. Osvaldo Ulloa, a principal investigator on the expedition, highlighted the significance of the discovery, stating that the microbial ecosystem in the OMZ offers insights into the ancient ocean and how it may respond to climate change. The team’s findings have the potential to reshape our understanding of how the OMZ functions and its impact on greenhouse gas turnover.

Led by Dr. Maria Pachiadaki, the science team utilized cutting-edge technologies such as the Submersible Incubation Device and HyperPro multi-wavelength optical sensor to study microbial activity in the OMZ. The data collected during the expedition will be further analyzed to determine the implications of sensing oxygen in the core of the OMZ.

Overall, the expedition represents a significant step forward in ocean research, pushing the boundaries of detection and highlighting the need for continued innovation in understanding microbial processes in expanding Oxygen Minimum Zones.