L.I.F.E.: Laser induced fluorescence emission, a non-invasive tool to detect photosynthetic pigments in glacial ecosystems

Year: 2011

Authors: Tilg M., Storrie-Lombardi M., Kohstall C., Trenkwalder A., Psenner R., Sattler B.

Autors Affiliation: University of Innsbruck, Institute of Ecology, Technikerstrasse 25, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria; Kinohi Institute, 530 S. Lake Avenue, Pasadena, CA 91101, United States; Institute of Quantum Physics, IQOQI, Technikerstrasse 25, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria

Abstract: The cryosphere harbours diverse microbial communities which are contributing to the global carbon budget. Various ice ecosystems like ice covers of freshwater lakes, sea ice and supraglacial areas are highly sensitive to temperate rise due to resulting enhanced availability of liquid water which is the prerequisite for life. To assess the overall importance of these communities we require a non-invasive tool which provides high resolution measurements of photosynthetic pigments such as phycoerythrin. Here we present the preliminary calibration processes for L.I.F.E. (laser induced fluorescence emission).

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KeyWords: Calibration process; Carbon budgets; Cryosphere; Fresh water lakes; High-resolution measurements; Highly sensitive; Ice cover; Laser induced fluorescence; Liquid water; Microbial communities; Non-invasive; Photosynthetic pigments, Fluorescence; Laser optics; Sea ice, Ecosystems