Photosynthetically Active Radiation (PAR) Sensor V14

PAR sensors measure the Photosynthetically Active Radiation, which is the spectral range (wave band) of solar radiation from 400 to 700 nanometers that photosynthetic organisms are able to use in the process of photosynthesis. Essentially, PAR sensors provide a measure of the amount of light available for photosynthesis and how that varies over time and depth in the water column.  Chlorophyll, the most abundant plant pigment in land plants and in ocean phytoplankton, is most efficient at capturing red and blue light.

During VISIONS '14, PAR sensors are expected to be placed on the shallow profilers at Axial Base (SF03A), Slope Base (SF01A), and at the Endurance Array Offshore site (SF01B).