TRIAXUS
What it's used for
The TRIAXUS is a towed underway profiling CTD (conductivity, temperature, depth) system that is fitted with sensors to measure conductivity, temperature, oxygen, turbidity, fluorescence, and light - especially the wavelengths involved in photosynthesis.
A TRIAXUS being lowered into the water.
A TRIAXUS being lowered into the water.
It can also be fitted with instruments to count and identify plankton - as well as estimate the amount of phytoplankton - providing important data on where species live, eat and breed.
How it works
The TRIAXUS is designed to be towed behind the vessel to take horizontal profile measurements of the water column. It is able to collect data quickly in real-time via a fibre optic cable, with data immediately available to scientists on board the vessel.
It can operate to 350 m below the ocean surface and is made of carbon fibre.