PICRC researchers receive training for new state-of-the-art equipment

Researchers Ikelau Otto and Victor Nestor from the Palau International Coral Reef Center (PICRC) recently received training on how to use a new water titrator—VINDTA 3S. This state-of-the-art equipment was developed to precisely calculate how alkaline a water sample is, meeting the requirements for precision in open ocean research. The PICRC researchers will use the equipment and their training to shed light on the scale of ocean acidification in Palau. The water samples tested are collected as part of PICRC’s work to understand the impact of climate change on Palau’s waters and coral reefs. 

The training was delivered by Dr. Ludger Mintrop from Germany. Dr. Mintrop, who holds a PhD in marine chemistry, invented the VINDTA 3S, which stands for Versatile Instrument for the Determination of Total Alkalinity. He was assisted by Ms. Vivian Knaus.