RADx
The RADx instrument was developed in order to measure dissolved radon gas underwater. Radon is a naturally occurring radioisotope. It is enriched in groundwater. When radon enriched groundwater discharges into a surface water the radon eventually decays to lead isotopes. As a result, gradients in dissolved radon in surface waters can be used to locate submarine groundwater springs. Previous instruments capable of measuring dissolved radon were restricted to surface use, though dissolved radon is greatest near its point of discharge. The RADx instrument is a fully submersible system.
RADx was funded by the National Science Foundation (Ocean Technology and Interdisciplinary Coordination grant OCE-1029223).
Additional public information available here.
Image: 2015 RADx deployed in Waquoit Bay, Massachusetts.
CHIP BREIER: GEOCHEMISTRY & ENVIRONMENTAL ROBOTICS