A Diver-Portable Respirometry System for in-situ Short-Term Measurements of Coral Metabolic Health and Rates of Calcification
Dellisanti et al. (2020) Front. Mar. Sci., 12 November 2020

Congratulations to Dr. Walter Dellisanti and co-workers at the City University of Hong Kong, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, the University of Maine and the Second Institute of Oceanography, Hangzhou, China on the publication of their research in Frontiers in Marine Science using Qubit's unique CISME system for monitoring respiration, photosynthesis and calcification rates of corals in situ. The authors cite the system's capability for non-invasive, high precision measurements of O2, pH and temperature fluxes, and CISME's role in the early detection of adverse conditions for coral metabolism. Moreover, ease and rapidity of use in the quantification of coral physiology make the CISME ideally suited for applications in reef research by scientists, monitoring agencies and stakeholders in biogenic reef conservation.
Bringing the Laboratory to the Ocean

  • Pressure resistant acrylic chamber houses electronics. Connects by waterproof cables to an Incubation Head.
  • Incubation Head houses sensors, pump and LED light source and attaches to the coral/substrate surface.
  • Android app on submersible tablet controls system and collects data.
  • Incubation head seals around attached corals and reef substrates.
  • Non-destructive measurements on massive corals with low rugosity surfaces. Branching corals require sampling or custom chambers.
How it Works
Developed at the University of North Carolina Wilmington with a grant from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), CISME measures oxygen fluxes and changes in pH during in situ incubation of samples. Water flow and light levels are controlled by the user. In addition to respiration and photosynthesis, water may be sampled for titration in the lab to measure total alkalinity. From this, calcification rate may be calculated. The sample loop can also be used to introduce substances to the sample that might affect metabolism, such as acidified seawater for ocean acidification studies. For more click HERE.
CISME Components
Intuitive Software

CISME software allows the user to control the LED light level from 0 - 2500 umol quanta/m2/s and the pump speed from 350 to 1200 mL/min. Single or repeated measurements of respiration and photosynthesis can be automated. Graphical displays show data during the experimental time course. All raw and calculated data may be downloaded to a spreadsheet. All commands are implemented using the touchscreen of the underwater tablet.

Customize your CISME
Do you have a specific application for CISME?
Do you have ideas about how CISME may be used in your research?
Please contact us to discuss how we may assist you.
Our scientists have decades of experience in measuring photosynthesis and respiration, and we are always prepared to consider customizing our equipment to meet your precise requirements.
More Products for Aquatic Biology

Qubit systems designs and manufactures a broad range of equipment for aquatic biology, including respirometers, dissolved gas analyzers and control systems for regulating pH, temperature, salinity and dissolved gas concentrations. For more information click HERE or call/email at any time to discuss your requirements. We offer customized solutions at sensible prices.
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