SeapHOx Sensor at Looe Key, Florida

Mote Marine Laboratory, in a project funded by the Southeast Coastal Ocean Observing Regional Association (SECOORA), successfully deployed a SeapHOx sensor, an instrument that monitors pH and dissolved oxygen (parameters measured for evaluation of ocean and coastal acidification), at Looe Key in the Florida Keys on Tuesday, June 11. Mote’s goal is to significantly increase and improve ocean acidification monitoring with the SeapHOx deployment. In leading this groundbreaking initiative, Mote aims to fill critical gaps in ocean acidification data, enhancing scientific understanding and protection of Florida’s coral reefs.

Read the Mote press release here.

This project, through a partnership between Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium, the Southeast Ocean and Coastal Acidification Network (SOCAN), and the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), was to install SeapHOx in a Marine Protected Area (MPA) of Looe Key. Its successful deployment represents a significant advancement in measuring pH and monitoring ocean acidification.

Key Highlights of the SeapHOx Deployment

Enhanced Acidification Monitoring: The SeapHOx sensor provides high-quality, continuous data on pH, salinity, temperature, and dissolved oxygen, crucial for tracking the change in ocean acidity and acidification on coral reefs.
Strategic Location: The deployment site near Looe Key MPA is critical for understanding the dynamics of ocean acidification in a region with high biodiversity and significant coral cover.
Detection and Analysis: The sensor data will be used to identify signs of stress in the reefs, track changes over time, and understand the specific conditions that lead to coral bleaching and other detrimental effects.
Long-term Data Collection: The sensor will provide continuous data, contributing to a long-term time series essential for tracking changes and informing conservation strategies.