December 2013

NASA/TM–2013-218142 

Remote Sensing of Dissolved Oxygen and 

Nitrogen in Water Using Raman Spectroscopy 

Rene Ganoe 

Science Systems and Applications, Inc., Hampton, Virginia 

Russell J. DeYoung 

Langley Research Center, Hampton, Virginia 
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December 2013

NASA/TM–2013-218142 

Remote Sensing of Dissolved Oxygen and 

Nitrogen in Water Using Raman Spectroscopy 

Rene Ganoe 

Science Systems and Applications, Inc., Hampton, Virginia 

Russell J. DeYoung 

Langley Research Center, Hampton, Virginia 
Available from: 

NASA Center for AeroSpace Information 

7115 Standard Drive 

Hanover, MD 21076-1320

443-757-5802 

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National Aeronautics and Space Administration. 
Abstract 

The health of an estuarine ecosystem is largely driven by the abundance of dissolved 

oxygen and nitrogen available for maintenance of plant and animal life. An investigation was 

conducted to quantify the concentration of dissolved molecular oxygen and nitrogen in water by 

means of Raman spectroscopy. This technique is proposed for the remote sensing of dissolved 

oxygen in the Chesapeake Bay, which will be utilized by aircraft in order to survey large areas in 

real-time. A proof of principle system has been developed and the specifications are being 

optimized to maximize efficiency for the final application. The theoretical criteria of the 

research, components of the experimental system, and key findings are presented in this report. 

I. Introduction 

 Dissolved oxygen (DO), i.e. molecular oxygen (O2), in ocean waters is critical for stability 

and survival of marine ecosystems and organisms. Declining DO concentrations will elicit dire 

consequences for global biogeochemical cycles, marine habitats, and the native organisms. 

Diminished concentrations of DO can be fatal, and for most aquatic species this critical point is 

~4 mg/L DO in water [1]. Areas of water with oxygen concentrations under 2 mg/L are hypoxic 

and considered anoxic once concentrations reach 0 mg/L. Anoxic areas are referred to as dead 

zones, which are primarily located in coastal waters due to shallow water depth, abundance of 

biological activity, and tangency to land [2]. Currently, less than 25% of dead zones have DO

measurements, so there is a need for more efficient methods of mapping concentrations in largescale coastal areas [3]. 

 A substantial portion of the Chesapeake Bay, the largest estuary in the United States, is 

considered critically hypoxic or anoxic. The use of fertilizer for crop production, resulting in a 

large input of reactive nitrogen compounds and phosphorous through direct deposition by 

wastewater run-off and atmospheric deposition, is the primary contributor to coastal hypoxia in 

the Chesapeake Bay [4]. The increased discharges add a surplus of nutrients, a process known as 

eutrophication. Hypoxia due to eutrophication occurs when an overabundance of nutrients in the 

water enable rapid increase of algae populations, known as algal blooms. The algae in these 

blooms are short lived, and microbes readily decompose the remaining organic material. This 

process of microbial degradation generates an aberrant increase in aerobic respiration activity, 

causing the microbes to rapidly consume oxygen; thus, depleting the DO content of the water 

[5]. A recent scientific overview states that coastal eutrophication has become an increasingly 

urgent global concern that is responsible for the steady growth in the magnitude and persistence 

of hypoxic coastal waters [6].

 The current measurement technique for dissolved oxygen is Optode technology, which 

requires direct in-situ measurements. An optode is an optical sensor device that uses a chemical 

transducer to measure a specific substance [7]. Optodes are spatially limited, as they require 

direct contact with the water. The extended time it requires a vessel to travel the entirety of the 

measurment region allows variation in water conditions to occur and produces readings that are 

not temporally aligned [8]. A national interagency scientific assessment committee agree on the 

insufficiency of current ship-based surveys due to the temporal dynamics of hypoxia; 

nonetheless, advocate that this can be resolved through “new technologies for measuring 

dissolved oxygen, that can be deployed in the field to provide continuous measurements” [9]. 

1
 Water in coastal regions continuously comes in contact with air due to low depth and active 

currents; therefore, the predominant gases dissolved in ocean water are molecular nitrogen (N2) 

and oxygen (O2). Studies have shown that sea water is virtually saturated with dissolved nitrogen 

and therefore the concentration remains constant regardless of biological activity [10]. Despite 

oxygen being more water soluble than nitrogen, its concentration is lower due to overall higher 

abundance of atmospheric nitrogen. The relative volume percent concentration of N2 in sea water 

is 63.3% compared to 35.6% for O2, assuming 100% saturation of both gases at 1 atm (up to 

depth of approx. 10m) [11]. A discrepancy in the N2 to O2 ratio (1.78) would indicate the extent 

of DO depletion; thus, it is necessary to measure both O2 and N2 to fully evaluate the 

concentration of dissolved gases. 

 This paper will describe a new Raman remote sensing technique that could measure the 

concentration of DO and N2 from aircraft throughout the Chesapeake Bay or other water body. 

This remote sensing technique will allow high resolution, real-time measurement of critically 

important dissolved gases; furthermore, these measurements could substantially improve our 

understanding of the temporal and spatial dynamics of dissolved gas distributions in maritime 

coastal ecosystems. The goal of this research effort is to provide evidence that remote sensing of 

water using Raman spectroscopy is a viable approach to measure both O2 and N2 in coastal 

waters; and subsequently, provide groundwork to design an aircraft based lidar system for spatial 

and temporal mapping of O2 and N2 in coastal regions such as the Chesapeake Bay. 

II. Experimental Setup 

 In the remote DO Raman sensing technique, a pulsed UV laser is directed into a water 

specimen. The UV laser emission induces an electric dipole moment, thus changing the 

molecular polarizability and bringing the O2 and N2 molecules to a virtual excited state. The 

difference in energy between the ground and virtual states create a wavelength shift, radiating 

longer wavelength Raman emission at a wavelength specific to the polarization potential 

characteristic of the molecule [12]. This shifted emission wavelength is backscattered to the lidar 

receiver where it is detected. The detected signal is directly proportional to the water 

concentration of O2 and N2 [13]. The Raman differential scattering cross-section (cm2/sr), which

is needed to quantify the probability of photon-molecule interaction, varies inversely with the 

fourth power of the excitation laser wavelength [12]. The Raman shifts for 355nm laser 

excitation, corresponding wavelengths, and cross sections of molecular species pertinent to this 

work are shown in Table 1. 

 

Table 1. Raman shifts, corresponding wavelengths, and scattering cross sections of relevant 

backscatter molecules 

Molecular Species Raman shift (cm-1) λ (nm) σ, 10-30 cm2/sr [14, 15]

O2 1556 376.2 1.1

H-O-H (bending mode, ν2) 1640 377.4 0.54

N2 2331 387.5 2.1

O-H (symmetric stretch, ν1) 3450 405.1 56.3

 

 A schematic of the experimental setup appears in Figure 1. A flashlamp pumped Nd-YAG 

Laser (Continuum PL9050), is Q-switch operated at a repetition rate of 30Hz, with a power of 

2
1.8 W at 355nm. The YAG fundamental pulse output is frequency tripled using a KTP nonlinear 

crystal and generates a pulse at the third harmonic; these parameters are outlined in Table 2.

Table 2. Third Harmonic Generation Performance Parameters 

Energy 60 mJ

Stability ±4%

Pulsewidth 7ns

Polarization >95% horizontal

Linewidth 1.5cm-1

Repetition Rate 30 Hz

 The third harmonic provides the excitation wavelength of 355nm. Near UV excitation 

wavelengths are optimal for Raman scattering from O2 and N2, which provide relatively weak 

signals particularly in liquid medium. The intensity of Raman scattering decreases as the fourth 

power of the wavelength, so using shorter laser excitation wavelengths are preferred [12].

Figure 1. Raman scattering dissolved oxygen/nitrogen experimental setup. 

 The 355nm pulses pass through a hole in a 10cm diameter flat aluminum coated deflection 

mirror and into a 1.88m x 10cm diameter glass water cell. As the beam passes through the water 

3
cell, the UV photons excite molecules in the beam path, producing inelastic Raman scattering. 

The backscattered photons pass back through the water cell and are deflected off the aluminum 

flat mirror to the focusing lens, which directs the light into a monochromator (Optometrics 

Corp., model SDMC1-01). The monochromator transmits only the manually selected wavelength 

of UV light, and is fitted with 355nm blocking filters (Semrock # LPO2-355RU-25) to attenuate 

the noise signal received from the 355nm laser. A photomultiplier tube (PMT) (Electron Tubes, 

Inc., 9125QSA) on the monochromator converts the photons into an electrical signal that can be 

detected by an oscilloscope. In conjunction with the oscilloscope, a gated integrator and boxcar 

averager module (Stanford Research Systems SR250) acquires and analyzes the PMT signals, 

increasing the signal to noise ratio by averaging. 

 The water cell has an attached vertical column to house a Troll 9500 dissolved oxygen in situ 

monitor (In-Situ Inc Troll 9500). The Troll measures an array of water parameters, such as: 

temperature, barometric pressure, conductivity, pH, and dissolved oxygen. Troll measurements 

are used for calibration of DO concentration measurements in the experimental setup. The 

specifications of these sensors are provided in Table 3. To attain maximum solubility of the 

dissolved gases in the glass cell during tests, an air bubbler is utilized to saturate the water. 

Bubbler tubes run up through the water cell’s vertical portion and are fitted along the bottom of 

the horizontal tube. A thermocouple temperature measurement records water temperature and 

two thermocouple wires are fitted to the bubbler tubes that run the length of the water cell. The 

outer perimeter of the glass cell is wrapped with heating tapes to facilitate increasing the water 

temperature. 

Table 3. Troll 9500 Sensor Specifications

 

Conductivity

Type:4-cell conductivity, AC drive

Operating range:

 Low: 5μS/cm 20,000μS/cm

 High:150μS/cm to 

112,000μS/cm

Accuracy:

 Low: ±0.5% or 2μS/cm 

 High:±0.5% +2μS/cm

Resolution: Range-dependent

Pressure rating: 350 psi (246m, 807ft)

Operating temperature: 5°C to 50°C

Dissolved oxygen

Type: Optical, fluorescence quenching

Range: 0 to 20 mg/L, 0 to 450% 

 saturation

Pressure rating: 300 psi

Operating temperature: 0°C to 40°C

Accuracy: ±0.1 mg/L @ 0-8 mg/L 

 ±0.2 mg/L @ 8-20 mg/L

Resolution: 0.01 mg/L

Temperature

Type: Platinum resistance thermometer

Range: -5°C to 50°C

Accuracy: ±0.1°C

Resolution: 0.01°C

Barometric pressure

Type: Piezoresistive Si pressure sensor

Range: 0-16.5 psia (854mm Hg, 33.6in 

Hg)

Accuracy: ±0.3% FS (2.54mm Hg,0.1in 

Hg)

Resolution: 0.1mm Hg, 0.01in Hg

pH

Type: Glass sensing bulb, single junction 

electrode, replaceable ceramic junction, 

refillable reference electrolyte

Range: 0 to 12 pH units

Pressure rating: 350 psi (246m, 807ft)

Operating temperature: 0°C to 50°C

Accuracy: ±0.1 pH unit

 Resolution: 0.01 pH unit

4
 For calibration of the Troll measurement, distilled water was air bubbled and DO content was 

measured as a function of time to determine the rate of water saturation. After approximately 20 

minutes of bubbling, the water reaches full DO saturation, as shown in Figure 2. Upon full 

saturation, the DO content was measured as a function of gradually increasing water temperature 

in order to confirm an accurate solubility measurement of DO. The solubility attained by the 

Troll measurement is congruent with the literature value [16], as shown in Figure 3. 

 Water temperature recordings are an average of measurements from three locations along the 

water cell, and are maintained within 0.5°C. The Troll 9500 measurement utilizes automatic 

internal salinity correction factors, which adjust the recorded conductivity (μS/cm or PSU) of the 

water. Theoretical DO content (mg/L) at 100% saturation must be manually corrected by salinity 

factors, which are given by the conductivity at various water temperatures [16].

The sample of water used for testing was retrieved from the Back Bay, VA, a tributary of the 

Chesapeake Bay near NASA Langley Research Center, Hampton, VA. 

7.6

7.8

8

8.2

8.4

8.6

8.8

9

0 5 10 15 20 25

DO content (mg/L) at 22

oC, 1 atm

Time bubbling (min)

100% DO saturation at 22oC and 1 atm

Measured DO concentration

Figure 2. Saturation time of DO (mg/L) in water at 22°C, 1 atm. 

 

 Due to the experimental configuration, a gap between the deflection mirror and water cell 

creates an air interface. The possibility that this interface is the source of the detected oxygen and 

nitrogen signals was eliminated when the water cell window was blocked, and all signal 

intensity immediately dropped to noise; thus, the detected bands are a product of inelastic Raman 

backscattering within the water cell. 

5
.

7

7.5

8

8.5

9

20 22 24 26 28 30 32 34

Distilled water

Theoretical DO @ 100% saturation

DO content (mg/L) measured at 760mmHg

Water temperature (oC)

Figure 3. Experimentally acquired by the Troll solubility of DO (mg/L) in distilled water with 

increasing water temperature compared with theoretical prediction given by tabulated values 

[16]. 

 

III. Dynamics of Dissolved Gases in Water 

 A study by Emerson et al [17] quantitatively measured the total gas pressure in water to exist 

as it does in the atmosphere, thus as the sum of its partial pressures of constituent gases. To 

obtain the total gas pressure in water (w) in terms of N2 and O2 in water, it must be assumed that 

Ar, H2O, and CO2 are at equilibrium with the atmosphere (a), hence, 

 

      

(1) 

These species often have large variablilities in sea water, but are present at such miniscule 

concentrations that this assumption does not affect measurement accuracy by more than 0.2%. 

The partial pressure of the dissolved gas is related to its concentration in seawater, as a function 

of temperature and salinity. This function creates the solubility coefficient, the reciprocal of 

which is equivalent to the Bunsen coefficient [17].

6
Figure 4a & b. Bunsen coefficients for N2 (a) and O2 (b) vs water temperature as function of 

salinity concentration [18].

 The Bunsen coefficient (BG) is used to describe gas solubilities in liquids, and is defined as 

the volume of a gas absorbed per unit volume liquid at a specific temperature of measurement, 

when the partial pressure of that gas is 1atm [19]. Any unit of volume can be used to describe the 

gas and liquid volumes, as long as both are the same [20]. The Bunsen coefficient is dependent 

on salinity as well as temperature, as shown in Figures 4a & b. This coefficient describes the 

solubility of a dissolved gas as a unitless value [21].

 The gas partial pressure in water is the gas pressure that would be in equilibrium with the 

seawater concentration at the measured temperature and salinity. At saturation equilibrium, the 

partial pressure of gases in surface water are equal to the values in a water vapor saturated 

atmosphere [17]. As water depth increases, the absolute pressure increases and thus the partial 

pressures of the dissolved species increase as well, as shown in Figure 5. 

0.8

1

1.2

1.4

1.6

1.8

2

2.2

2.4

0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40

Salinity - 0 ppm

Salinity - 10 ppm

Salinity - 20 ppm

Salinity - 35 ppm

Bunsen coefficients (x100) for Nitrogen

Water temperature ( oC)

1.5

2

2.5

3

3.5

4

4.5

5

0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40

Salinity - 0 ppm

Salinity - 10 ppm

Salinity - 20 ppm

Salinity - 35 ppm

Water temperature ( oC)

Bunsen coefficients (x100) for Oxygen

7
0.2

0.4

0.6

0.8

1

1.2

1.4

1.6

0 2 4 6 8 10

1 1.2 1.4 1.6 1.8 2 Partial pressure (atm)

Water Depth (m)

Absolute Pressure (atm)

Dissolved nitrogen (N2)

Dissolved oxygen (O2)

Figure 5. The partial pressures of N2 and O2 as functions of water depth and absolute pressure, 

calculated using the species mole fractions listed in Table 4. At zero water depth the partial 

pressures are equivalent to the atmospheric partial pressures. 

0.5

1

1.5

2

2.5

3

0.6 0.8 1 1.2 1.4 1.6

Molar concentration (mol/L*atm)

Partial Pressure N2 (atm)

0

o

 C

5

o

 C

10o C

20o C

30o C

Figure 6. The theoretical concentration of N2 vs partial pressure per unit air pressure of N2 as 

function of water temperature, calculated using equation 2 and the Bunsen coefficients from 

Figure 4. 

8
Using the Bunsen coefficient to account for the solubility specific to each gas, in conjunction 

with partial pressure derived by depth, the theoretical concentration of the gas at 100% saturation 

can be determined, as shown in Figure 6 [19]. This relationship is described by equation 2 as 

   (2) 

where C is the concentration, P is the partial pressure, and B is the Bunsen coefficient; each 

specific to , but can similarly be applied to . Water temperature, salinity, and depth are all 

measurable by remote sensing techniques, and an algorithm can be written to account for these 

variables in real time. 

IV. Methodology for Raman Spectroscopic Analysis 

 For data analysis, all Raman signals are normalized to 1W, 355nm laser power. Wavelength 

calibration was performed using a Hg vapor lamp. Known Hg wavelengths at 365.19, 366.59 and 

404.60 nm were used to calibrate the monochromator [23]. A secondary calibration was 

performed using the relative position of the 377.4nm Raman water bending mode peak, shown in 

Figure 7. 

Figure 7. Experimentally acquired monochromator calibration using peak of water bending 

mode (literature value: 377.40nm) [24]. 

-3.2

-3

-2.8

-2.6

-2.4

-2.2

-2

-1.8

376 376.5 377 377.5 378 378.5

H2O Bend Peak - Test 1

H2O Bend Peak - Test 2

H2O Bend Peak - Test 3

Relative signal intensity (-VDC)

averaged at 1k samples

Wavelength (nm)

Peak: 377.40nm

9
 In order to determine the 355nm laser attenuation through the water medium, the 

transmittance (T) of 355nm light was measured. Theoretical and experimental absorption of 

distilled water was calculated using equations 3 and 4 respectively. The optical absorption 

coefficient at 355nm is 0.01517m-1 for distilled water [25]. Experimental transmission values are 

taken as a mean of multiple measurements. Total cell window loss was measured and found to be 

0.155 absorption. 

I = Io e-[0.01517m-1∙ 1.88m] = 0.972 transmittance theoretical (3) 

1-0.972 = 0.028 absorption theoretical 

T = I / Io = 0.78 transmittance + 0.155 cell window absorption = 0.935 (4) 

1-0.930 = 0.065 absorption measured 

The measured absorption of distilled water was calculated to be 0.065, which is comparable to 

the theoretical absorption of 0.028. The discrepancy seen here is likely due to particle 

accumulation in the water cell over time, increasing sources of scattering. Theoretical and 

measured absorption of Back Bay water was then calculated using equations 5 and 6 

respectively. The optical absorption coefficient at 355nm wavelength is 0.58m-1for Back Bay 

water [26]. 

I = Io e-[0.58m-1 ∙ 1.88m] = 0.336 transmittance theoretical (5) 

1-0.336 = 0.66 absorption theoretical 

T = I / Io = 0.0048 transmittance + 0.155 cell window absorption = 0.1598 (6) 

1-0.1598 = 0.84 absorption measured 

The measured absorption of Back Bay water was calculated to be 0.84, which is comparable to 

the theoretical absorption of 0.66. Back Bay water contains an abundance of ionic compounds 

and organic particulates not found in distilled water, which provide greater scattering of incident 

light, thus increasing absorption. 

 Number densities (n) of target species, e.g. DO, provide the number of molecules per volume 

and is used in conjunction with the Raman scattering cross section to determine concentrations of 

O2 and N2 molecules in water. The number density is proportional to the Raman scattering. 

Number densities were calculated based on the molecular species mass density (ρ) at 100% 

saturation, 20°C and 1 atm pressure, as shown in equation 7. Avogadro’s constant (NAv) refers to 

the number of molecules in 1 mole of a particular substance, with a value of 6.02214x1023 mol−1.

The molar mass (M) of that particular substance is determined by the species molecular mass and 

amount present, expressed in g/mol [27]. 

 

 

 

 (7) 

The saturation number density calculation for O2 in seawater accounts for salinity at 35ppt, 

which lowers maximum saturation; therefore, causing a decrease in mass density from 9.08x10-9

kg/cm3

to 7.2x10-9 kg/cm3. Number density values are provided in Table 4. 

10
Table 4. Properties of pertinent molecular species†

† (a) is in atmosphere (w) is in water at 1 atm, at 100% saturation 

 The primary mechanism for quantitative analysis of Raman spectroscopy is the proportional 

relationship between gas concentration and Raman backscatter intensity [13]. The molecular 

species concentration can be derived from the Raman scattering intensity and other parameters, 

as shown by, 

 

 (8) 

where C is the species number density, Ir is the measured Raman backscatter intensity integrated 

over the band width, IL is the laser intensity, σ is the species Raman cross-section, η includes 

instrument parameters (e.g. optical transmission), and P is the sample path length [28]. Variable 

path length modulates Raman intensity; therefore, peak heights and areas are not necessarily the 

same for different measurement water depth. In a typical aircraft lidar scenerio the water path 

length would vary widely and this variance must be accounted for in calculations. Additionally, 

relative concentrations are independent of path length, and can be determined using the peak 

ratio method described by Wopenka and Pasteris [29], and specifically employing the twocomponent system described by Sum et al. [30], 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(9) 

where C is the concentration of molecular species in a sample; A is the measured 

Raman band area, is the instrument efficiency correction factors and is the absolute Raman 

scattering cross section values. These factors provide a relative, empirically derived, and 

instrument specific calibration; therefore, must be calculated for each experimental setup [29]. 

This concentration ratio technique provides an expression comparable to the Beer-Lambert Law 

and can be applied similiarly, also by creation of a calibration curve. Through Raman 

measurement, it has been shown that simple gas mixtures yield a linear calibration curve [31]. 

V. Results and Discussion 

 Oxygen and nitrogen Raman peaks were initially optimzed in air to confirm wavelengths of 

the molecular species at 376.2 and 387.55nm, respectively [12]. Raman signals obtained using 

Species† Number density (n) Mole fraction22

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2.19x1019 cm-3

3.32x1017 cm-3

5.47 x1018 cm-3

1.71 x1017 cm-3

0.7808

0.6317

0.2095

0.3359

11
the experimental setup were recorded every 0.2nm and scanned between 364.4nm-390.4nm, as 

shown in Figure 8. 

-0.4

-0.35

-0.3

-0.25

-0.2

-0.15

-0.1

-0.05

0

376 380 384 388 392

Air spectrum

Water spectrum

Relative averaged signal (-VDC)

Wavelength (nm)

N2: 387.55nm

 O2:

376.2nm

H-O-H bending mode: 

377.4nm

Figure 8. Experimentally measured Raman backscattered spectra of air and water. 

 A comparison of the N2 and O2 number densities noted in Table 4 show that the ratio 

 

/ 

 

is 66, and 

 

/ 

 is 32, thus the Raman scattering intensities are 66 and 32 times below that of 

the air measurement shown in Figure 8. This significant difference in magnitude is the reason N2

and O2 are not visible in the experimentally acquired Raman water spectrum shown in Figure 8. 

 Due to the inherently lower concentrations of gases in water than that in air, optimizing the O2

and N2 backscattered signals require scanning much shorter wavelength increments, 0.02nm, and 

as an average of 1k samples, increasing signal to noise ratio and thus providing more precise 

band measurement. 

 In accordance with solubility laws, the concentration of a gas decreases with increasing water 

temperature; likewise, in accordance with Raman spectroscopy theory, the concentration of a 

molecular species is directly proportional to the signal intensity. As the water temperature 

increases, the signal intensity decreases; thus the N2 concentration is also decreasing, as shown in 

the experimental measurements in Figure 9. This data supports that N2 was in fact observed by 

12
Raman backscattering at 387.55nm. To further justify this outcome, N2 and O2 Raman bands 

were scanned at various levels of DO saturation, as shown in Figures 10 and 11. 

-1.36

-1.35

-1.34

-1.33

-1.32

-1.31

-1.3

-1.29

-1.28

25 26 27 28 29 30 31

y = -1.5346 + 0.0075508x R= 0.77073 

Relative N2 signal intensity (-VDC)

Water Temperature ( oC)

Figure 9. Measured relative N2 peak intensity at 387.55nm as a function of increasing water 

temperature. 

 The Raman N2 peak band was scanned at two different concentrations of DO; 6.01 and 8.70 

mg/L, as shown in Figure 10. The temperature and pressure are the same for both spectra; 24°C 

and 760 mmHg. Likwise, Figure 11 shows the Raman O2 peak band scanned at three different 

concentrations of DO; 6.04, 8.80, and 9.11 mg/L. The temperature and pressure are the same for 

all three spectra; 24°C and 760 mmHg. The change in peak intensities shown in Figure 11 result 

from the change in dissolved oxygen content in the water. In this setup, the percent saturation of 

O2 can be used to infer the percent saturation of N2, since there is no biological activity affecting 

oxygen content, and bubble action produces nearly equal supersaturation for all dissolved gases, 

as noted in a study by Memery and Merlivat [32]. The concentration of N2 can then be calculated 

by the degree of saturation. In seawater, O2 is produced biologically, so the percent saturation 

can not be assumed equivocal with N2, which is an inert gas not affected by biological activity. 

13
-0.14

-0.12

-0.1

-0.08

-0.06

-0.04

-0.02

387 387.2 387.4 387.6 387.8 388

Wavelength (nm)

Relative N2 peak signal intensity (-VDC) 

8.7 mg/L Troll DO

(Near saturation)

6.01 mg/L Troll DO

Figure 10. Measured relative intensity of N2 band peak as function of Troll DO content (mg/L) 

at 24°C and 1 atm. 

-0.7

-0.65

-0.6

-0.55

-0.5

376.15 376.175 376.2 376.225 376.25 376.275

Relative O2 peak signal intensity (-VDC) 

6.04 mg/L DO

8.80 mg/L DO

9.11 mg/L DO

Wavelength (nm)

Figure 11. Measured relative intensity of O2 band peak as function of Troll DO content (mg/L) 

at 24°C and 1 atm. 

14
 Raman spectra can be analyzed by superposition of overlapping bands of non-equivalent 

species, such as O2 and the H2O bending mode. Observation of changes in band width or shape 

result from a change in the non-equivalent species relative concentrations [13]. Previous 

researchers have employed comparing Raman water bands with gas species in aqueous phase by 

use of a ratio technique. A study by White [31] describes utilizing the water stretching band to 

create a calibration curve which serves as a reference for quantitative analysis. Using this 

approach, dissolved gas species can be identified and quantified at various pressures, 

temperatures, and salinity due to the relative constant intensity of the H2O band. The H2O peak 

area, unlike dissolved gas peak areas, does not change in response to variation of those 

parameters [31]. 

400

600

800

1000

1200

1400

1600

6 6.5 7 7.5 8 8.5 9 9.5

y = 3855.9 - 378.83x R= 0.99956 

Peak Area Ratio (H2O/O2)

DO concentration (mg/L)

Figure 12. Measured dissolved O2 concentration as given by Troll vs. H2O/O2 peak area ratio in 

Back Bay water. 

 Using the Raman experimental setup, a measurement was taken of DO content in Back Bay 

water, as shown in Figure 12. The area of the O2 peak at 376.2nm is ratioed to the H2O bending 

peak at 377.4nm. The Raman peak areas were calculated using half widths and peak heights 

measured from the spectrums shown in Figures 7 and 11. The H2O band area remains constant as 

a function of DO, so changes in the H2O/O2 ratio are attributed to changing O2 peak area. The 

Raman peak area of DO is directly proportional to changes in DO concentration. The peak area 

ratio as a function of DO concentration give a linear calibration curve, which can be used as a 

quantitative measurement of DO concentration. 

 With sufficient data, this ratio technique could be used to assemble a calibration curve to 

show the linear relationship between N2/O2 mole fraction ratio and N2/O2 Raman peak area 

15
ratios. The mole fraction ratio of a gas mixture directly correlates to the Raman peak area ratio of 

that gas mixture at the same total pressure. A proportionality constant between the two ratios 

would provide a linear correlation to convey the level of saturation of the dissolved gases in the 

water. 

 The area of a Raman peak of a particular species is quantified as a function of the absolute 

concentration of the species, Raman cross section of the species, irradiance, and the solid angle 

of light collection. The absolute concentration is the number of molecules in the scattering 

volume. The scattering volume, irradiance and solid angle are presumably equivalent for all 

species simultaneously analyzed in the water column [13]. Therefore, to accurately determine the 

N2/O2 concentration ratio the two species must be scanned over a continous spectrum. 

VI. Future Work 

 The block diagram in Figure 13 illustrates one proposed configuration for the remote Raman 

sensing flight experiment to measure dissolved gases in coastal waters. The deployment 

configuration employs the technique described in this paper with the modifications necessary for 

in flight measurement of dissolved gases in coastal waters. 

 In order to develop a system capable of acquiring reliable and precise measurements, certain 

variables must be simultaneously measured, such as water temperature and gas saturation. While 

DO concentrations (mg/L) can be derived by Raman spectroscopy, the conditions at which those 

concentrations are measured are also necessary to ensure precision of that measurement. Water 

temperature can also be measured by Raman spectroscopy, from the change in peak width and 

intensity of the water bending and stretching modes [33]. Saturation is dependent upon multiple 

variables itself, such as salinity, and gas exchange across the air-water interface. For calm 

conditions, the gas exchange constant for oxygen has been shown to increase as the square of the 

wind velocity, and the exchange flux is proportional to the partial pressure difference between 

water and air [34,35]. Bubble action, on average, drives ocean water to super-saturation of a few 

percent for gases such as oxygen. When water is turbulent, this increased bubble exchange can 

increase the gas exchange constant to a third or fourth power of the wind velocity, as well as 

alter the proportionality of the exchange flux [34]. The solubility of O2 and N2 in water decreases 

with increased salinity; therefore, salinity adjustments are a necessary component to calculate 

accurate dissolved gas saturation. Salinity distributions throughout the Chesapeake Bay and its 

tributaries vary with current, seasonal changes and on a yearly basis [36]. This distribution is 

commonly mapped by use of airborne microwave radiometry as well as satellite ocean color 

radiometry [37].

16
Figure 13. Remote Raman sensing of Oxygen and Nitrogen in coastal waters flight experiment. 

VII. Conclusion

 A laser system capable of detecting dissolved O2 and N2 in water has been demonstrated and 

is ready for implementation to a remote sensing lidar application. This initial research has been 

sufficient to demonstrate the theoretical principle, proving the validity of the DO measurement 

Raman technique. Raman spectroscopic measurement of O2 and N2 in water have been 

performed and shown to produce quantitative measurements when ratioed to the H2O bending 

peak. This research represents a novel approach to addressing the problems of hypoxia in 

estuarine systems, and has shown that it is possible to measure concentrations of dissolved 

oxygen and nitrogen by a remote sensing technique and has the potential capability to parallel 

the high accuracy of in-situ DO measurements. This new remote sensing technique will allow 

much higher temporal and spatial DO measurements at comparable accuracies when compared to 

current in-situ techniques. 

Acknowledgement 

The authors wish to acknowledge funding support of Jack Kaye NASA Headquaters, Research 

and Analysis Program Director. 

17
18

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Remote Sensing of Dissolved Oxygen and Nitrogen in Water Using Raman 

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Ganoe, Rene; DeYoung, Russell J.

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NASA Langley Research Center

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14. ABSTRACT

The health of an estuarine ecosystem is largely driven by the abundance of dissolved oxygen and nitrogen available for 

maintenance of plant and animal life. An investigation was conducted to quantify the concentration of dissolved molecular 

oxygen and nitrogen in water by means of Raman spectroscopy. This technique is proposed for the remote sensing of 

dissolved oxygen in the Chesapeake Bay, which will be utilized by aircraft in order to survey large areas in real-time. A proof

of principle system has been developed and the specifications are being honed to maximize efficiency for the final application.

The theoretical criteria of the research, components of the experimental system, and key findings are presented in this report. 

15. SUBJECT TERMS

Lidar; Oxygen; Raman spectroscopy; Remote sensing

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