On board Statsraad Lehmkuhl, a range of scientific instruments gather data continuously or during research stops. Together, they give us a clearer picture of ocean conditions, processes and life.
We group the instruments into two main categories:
1. Autonomous sensors
Operate continuously, with no human intervention.
- Sensors in the rigging – Weather and atmosphere
- Underwater Monitoring Pod – Underwater currents, life and sound
- Ferrybox – Ocean chemistry in real time
2. Manual and station-based instruments
Used during research stops or with human handling.
- CTD – Conductivity, Temperature, Depth
- Water samples – eDNA, isotopes and microplastics
1. Autonomous sensors:
Rig sensors – Weather and atmosphere
High up in the rigging of Statsraad Lehmkuhl, several advanced instruments continuously monitor the weather and the atmosphere. These autonomous sensors collect data that is vital for understanding local weather conditions and broader climate patterns.
Multisensor for weather data
A compact sensor system measures air temperature, humidity, air pressure, wind speed and direction, as well as precipitation type and intensity. These observations help us understand both short-term weather events and long-term climate trends.
The data is shared with meteorological institutes through the Blue Insight platform and is also used to improve forecasting models for storms, wind fields and ocean-atmosphere interactions.
Radar precipitation sensor
This sensor detects precipitation using radar and can distinguish between rain, snow and other particle types. It helps researchers understand regional rainfall patterns and extreme weather, as well as their effects on land and sea.
Together, these sensors provide a high-resolution picture of the atmospheric conditions above the ocean, supporting both real-time forecasting and long-term climate research.
Infrared temperature sensor
This instrument measures infrared radiation from the sea surface. It provides highly accurate readings of sea surface temperature – an essential variable in studies of ocean heat content, energy balance and marine ecosystem dynamics.
Underwater Monitoring Pod - Currents, life and sound
Mounted beneath the keel of Statsraad Lehmkuhl is a custom-built underwater pod, nicknamed “The Fish.” This underwater module houses a cluster of autonomous instruments designed to monitor marine life, water movement and underwater sound: scientific echosounder, acoustic doppler current profiler (ADCP) and hydrophones.
Scientific echosounder
The echosounder measures biomass density in the water column – including fish, plankton and other organisms – as the ship sails. It also maps the seabed and sediment layers, offering valuable information on marine ecosystems, bottom structure and ocean productivity.
Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler (ADCP)
This instrument measures the speed and direction of ocean currents at different depths by sending out sound pulses and analyzing how they bounce off particles in the water. Understanding currents is crucial for tracking heat transport, nutrient flows and climate interactions.
Hydrophones
These underwater microphones record sounds from the marine environment, including vocalizations from whales and dolphins, as well as human-generated noise such as ship traffic or offshore wind development. Since Statsraad Lehmkuhl is a sailing vessel without engine noise, she provides an ideal platform for acoustic monitoring.
Together, these instruments allow researchers to study both the physical and biological processes in the ocean, offering a layered view of life and movement beneath the surface.
Ferrybox – Ocean chemistry in real time
The Ferrybox system is installed in the engine room and draws in seawater directly from the ship’s intake. As the ship moves, this autonomous instrument continuously analyses the chemical and physical properties of the surface water.
What does the Ferrybox measure?
Temperature and salinity – key indicators of water mass characteristics and ocean circulation.
Oxygen levels – help assess the ocean’s ability to support life.
Turbidity – measures particles in the water, indicating clarity and potential organic material.
Chlorophyll – estimates phytoplankton concentration, a fundamental metric for studying marine productivity and food webs.
These real-time measurements provide scientists with a detailed view of how the ocean’s surface environment changes across space and time. The data is shared with international research networks and supports ongoing studies on climate change, ecosystem health and pollution monitoring.
2. Manual and station-based instruments
While autonomous sensors operate continuously and without human intervention, some types of research require targeted sampling and hands-on operation. These manual and station-based instruments are used during research stops or under direct supervision by the crew and science coordinators.
They make it possible to collect water samples at specific depths and analyse key properties of the ocean’s structure and composition. Although some initial processing is done on board, the majority of the samples collected are sent to laboratories on land, where scientists carry out more detailed analyses.
These instruments provide data that is essential for studying biodiversity, pollution, ocean chemistry and long-term climate trends.
CTD – Conductivity, Temperature, Depth
The CTD is one of the most important instruments for understanding the structure and movement of ocean water. It measures three key variables:
- Conductivity – used to calculate salinity
-Temperature – influences water density and biological processes
- Depth (pressure) – determines the vertical profile of the water column
On Statsraad Lehmkuhl, the CTD is mounted on a rosette frame with 12 water bottles, each holding 2.5 litres. As the frame is lowered into the sea by a winch on the main deck, it collects continuous measurements and allows water samples to be taken at precise depths – down to 1500 metres.
These measurements are used to:
- Map temperature and salinity patterns in the ocean
- Track currents and the movement of water masses
- Understand how the ocean stores and transports heat and nutrients
- Support climate research and improve predictions of ocean change
Real-time data is transmitted to a computer on board, allowing researchers to observe the water column as it is being profiled. CTD measurements are essential for physical oceanography and form the backbone of many marine research projects.
Water samples – eDNA, isotopes and microplastics
Water samples are analysed manually in the ship’s onboard laboratory. These samples provide deeper insight into the chemical and biological state of the ocean – beyond what automated sensors can detect.
While some analyses are done on board, most samples are sent to land-based laboratories for more comprehensive studies using larger and more advanced facilities.
Environmental DNA (eDNA)
All marine organisms leave traces of DNA in the water – through skin cells, mucus or waste. By analysing eDNA in water samples, researchers can:
- Identify species living in the area without catching them
- Detect both common and rare organisms
- Monitor biodiversity and how ecosystems are changing
This is a fast, non-invasive way to study life in the ocean and track changes over time.
Isotopes – the ocean’s chemical signature
Isotopes are variants of chemical elements. By analysing isotopes in seawater, scientists can:
- Trace the origin and movement of water masses
- Understand processes like evaporation, precipitation and mixing
- Study climate change through ocean circulation patterns
Isotope data provides valuable information about both current conditions and long-term climate trends.
Microplastics
Plastic particles smaller than 5 mm are known as microplastics. They come from synthetic clothing, packaging, cosmetics and industrial waste. Once in the ocean, they can be ingested by marine life – from plankton to fish.
By analysing water samples, researchers can:
Measure the amount, type and source of microplastics
Study how plastic pollution affects marine food webs
Support efforts to reduce plastic waste and protect ecosystems
Together, these analyses turn water samples into detailed stories about life, pollution and change in the ocean.
