ACT - Recent Developments in In Situ Nutrient Sensor, Applications and Future Directions Workshop

In December 2006, Skidaway Institute of Oceanography hosted a two day workshop sponsored by the Southeast Atlantic Chapter of the Alliance for Coastal Technologies (ACT) entitled, "Recent Developments in In Situ Nutrient Sensor, Applications and Future Directions," at the Coastal Georgia Center in Savannah, GA.  This workshop brought together coastal observing user groups, sensor manufacturers, and sensor developers to assess the recent developments in sensor technology.  Participants included researchers, state/regional environmental managers, representatives of coastal ocean observing programs and industrial representatives -- all interested in the development and application of in situ nutrient sensors for use in riverine, estuarine and coastal ocean monitoring.

The Organizing Committee for the workshop included Jim Nelson (SkIO), Casey Moore, (President, Wetlabs Inc.), Jan Newton (University of Washington) and Herb Windom (the Southeastern Atlantic ACT Chapter).

The workshop was designed to encourage open discussion of recent developments in high sensitivity, multi-parameter nutrient sensors and included an assessment of available instruments, sharing of user experience with technology deployment, and identifying emerging technological needs.  The workshop allowed participants to discuss how technology might be improved and to suggest where new developments might lead.  In addition, the workshop resulted in providing ACT with recommendations for how best to demonstrate the application of some of the latest technology.

The workshop results will soon aid ACT in organizing a follow-up activity, during early 2007, concerning technological demonstrations of nutrient sensors.

ACT is a NOAA-funded partnership of research institutions, state and regional managers, and private sector companies interested in developing and applying sensor technologies for monitoring coastal environments. ACT functions as an unbiased third-party testbed for evaluating new and developing sensors and sensor platforms, a comprehensive information clearinghouse on coastal technologies and a forum for capacity building through workshops and seminars on specific technologies.


Participants