Figure 4 Nerve center. Scientists at a computer console aboard the Knorr can 

 request displays of data being collected far below by undersea instruments, 

 displays of analyses from the shipboard labs, or displays of comparison records 

 from other times. 



total COl> titration, gas chromatography (total 

 CO2, N,., Ar), autoanalysis (NO-, NO.,-, PO4— , 

 SiQo) and Rn-". 



Data from the thermosalinograph, atmos- 

 pheric sensors, ship speed and heading indica- 

 tors and satellite navigation systems are 

 added continually and automatically to the 

 computer data bank and are available for 

 instant recall. 



Salinometry. In the Atlantic, the University 

 of Washington Bridge and Schleicher-Brad- 

 shaw salinometers are being used with a pre- 

 cision of ± .003 parts per mille. Readings from 

 these laboratory salinometers are used to cali- 

 brate the salinity-temperature-depth sensor on 

 the bottom package. Presently, two people 

 working full time are required for salinometry, 

 but it is hoped that an automatic laboratory 

 salinometer now available will reduce man- 

 power requirements for this task. 



AJkoIinity-TotaJ CO,— Alkalinity-total COi. 

 is analyzed by an automatic titrator which is 

 under process control from the computer. The 

 Gran plot method described by Edmond is 

 used to process the data. Precisions of 0.1% 

 are being obtained for alkalinity and 0.2% for 

 CO-. This is the best precision ever obtained 

 for these parameters. 



Argon and Nitrogen — Two chromatographs 

 are used on board ship, one for the analysis of 

 total COj and another for the analysis of dis- 

 solved argon and nitrogen. The two chroma- 

 tographs operate concurrently and are con- 

 tained in the same enclosure. The total COj 

 gas chromatograph uses a thermal detector, 

 the argon-nitrogen, an ultrasonic detector. 



Nutrients — The nutrients (phosphate, sili- 

 cate, nitrate and nitrite) are measured using 

 a four-channel autoanalyzer calibrated to 

 GEOSECS and Sugami standards. Data from 

 the chart recorder is punched and processed 



12 



