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Ascension for Microplastics Depth Sampling

Easily monitor freshwater and marine microplastic pollution down to 400 meter depths

Remove Barriers To Collect Microplastics At Depth

Microplastic pollution threatens freshwater and marine environments. To inform and monitor effective solutions, researchers and citizen scientists need more reliable data.

Since studies suggest that 99.8% of oceanic plastic sinks below the ocean's surface, it's crucial to collect and analyze microplastics at depth—something that has traditionally been extremely challenging. 

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View of the Ascension depth sampler from below as it is lowered into the ocean from a small boat

The Ascension Microplastics Depth Sampler

​Ascension is a portable, automated instrument capable of collecting 7 separate filtered microplastic samples per deployment down to 400-meter depths from the side of a small vessel or fixed installation. Filtering water directly in situ, Ascension significantly increases microplastic sampling capabilities and reduces contamination. 

Collect Reliable Data

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Operate in real-time deployment mode or upload an automated mission for autonomous time-series sampling 

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Minimize filter handling and sample contamination by filtering directly in situ  

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Recharge the battery to maximize deployment time and reduce primary battery waste

Manually lower and raise through the water column by hand-- no need for winch systems

Capture conductivity, temperature, salinity,  depth and filtration volumes in real time with the on-board CTD sensor and flow meter

Smart interface with no confusing terminal commands

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Product Specifications

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Dry Weight: 10 Kg (22 lbs)   
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Depth Rating: 400m  
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Tether Length: 50, 100 or 200 m  
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Battery: 266 W-Hr. rechargeable LIPO batter  
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External Sensors: Star-Oddi DST DCT Online  
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Temperature Range: -1°C to +40°C (30°F to 104°F)  
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Temperature Resolution: 0.032°C (0.058°F)  
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Temperature Accuracy: +/- 0.1°C (0.18°F)  
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Depth Range: 5-500m  
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Depth Resolution: 0.03% of depth range  
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Depth Accuracy: +/- 0.6% of depth range  
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Salinity Range: 3-68 mS/cm  
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Salinity Resolution: 0.02 PSU  
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Salinity Accuracy: +/- 1 PSU  
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Acceptable Filter Pore Size: >10 µm  
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Pump Type: High flow impeller 
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Flow Meter Range: 0.2 – 4.5 litres per minute  
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Typical Flow Rates: 0.5 – 4.5 litres per minute  
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Flow Meter Accuracy: +/- 1.5%  
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Number of Filter Channels: 7  
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System Requirements: Windows 10/11 laptop with Bluetooth capability 

Automation, real-time sensing capabilities and in-situ filtration

Ascension microplastics sampler

 “The best place to look for information is going to be at depth. Ascension is really one of the only ways that we can get our hands on those deeper samples given the platforms of opportunity available to us for this project.” - Eily Allan, University of Washington School of Marine and Environmental Affairs

“Ascension took away a barrier for the skills needed for sampling. It is foolproof compared to other equipment. I was really excited. I can’t believe the data we’ll get!" - Susan Anthony, SeaChange Society

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