In-situ beta-particle detector for high resolution 234th export measurements
AssigneeUniversity of South Carolina
InventorsTimothy J. Shaw, Michael L. Myrick
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A sea going instrument is used to measure the 234Th activity on settling particles in the ocean as an indicator of carbon sequestration as export from the surface ocean. The instrumentation can be adapted to multiple sampling platforms with the goal of providing high temporal resolution 234Th flux measurements at multiple locations and depths in the ocean. This proxy of mass flux is used to complement other in situ sensors to provide high resolution data for features such as Chlorophyll-a concentration (Chla), accessory pigments, and PIC normalized to mass flux.
Claims34
A method for in-situ high resolution beta-particle detection for measurements of 234Th activity on settling particles in the ocean as an indicator of carbon sequestration as export from the surface ocean to the ocean floor, comprising:
- using a scintillation material sensor to sense the beta decay activity occurring at a sensor placed in a location of the ocean to be assessed and to output responsive beta energy signals from the sensor, and
- detecting the presence of 234Th by discriminating relatively higher beta energy signals from the sensor indicating a measurement of the beta decay of an excited state of its daughter 234mPa.
A measurement system for in-situ high resolution beta-particle detection for measurements of 234Th activity on settling particles in the ocean as an indicator of carbon sequestration as export from the surface ocean to the ocean floor, comprising:
- a scintillation material sensor to sense the beta decay activity occurring at a sensor placed in a location of the ocean to be assessed and to output responsive beta energy signals from the sensor;
- and
- a photon signal detector, comprising one of a photomultiplier tube (PMT) or a silicon photomultiplier (SiPM), receiving the responsive beta energy signals, for detecting the presence of 234Th by discriminating relatively higher beta energy signals from the sensor indicating a measurement of the beta decay of an excited state of its daughter 234mPa.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.