Deployments of the HydroC™ (CO2/CH4) on stationary and mobile platforms - Merging trends in the field of platform and sensor development

Dissolved greenhouse gas measurements (GHG) are of increasing importance for science, monitoring agencies and industry. Sensors for dissolved carbon dioxide (CO₂) and methane (CH₄) are applied in a growing number of applications. At the same time the number of mobile platforms deployed in the field is growing. Modern mobile platforms can sample on spatial and temporal scales that previously were not easily accessible thereby providing cost efficient data. Furthermore a trend towards the interconnection of mixed platforms and sensors is recognizable. The connection between these trends is discussed on the basis of sensor integrations into platforms. An approach between sensor and platform manufacturers becomes necessary to achieve an intelligent combination of contemporary measuring devices and their carriers as well as to make the adaptations on both sides efficient. Instruments of the HydroC™ family were successfully deployed on versatile stationary and mobile platforms, such as AUVs and floats. Platform and application demands for the deployment of dissolved gas sensors on diverse platforms are discussed. Fields of improvement for the instruments are identified to make them more versatile and access further platforms in the future.