Development of a laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy method for the issues of geological exploration and ecological monitoring of aquatic environments in real time

Background. Currently, the priority task is to develop the resources of the continental shelf. At the same time, ensuring the environmental safety of marine areas remains an important aspect. In this regard, the development and creation of robotic systems equipped with specialized complexes capable of solving a wide functional range of underwater operations is relevant. The purpose of this work is to create a hardware and software complex based on the method of laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy with the possibility of integrating it into a remotely operated underwater vehicle of the survey class for measuring the elemental composition of seawater and bottom rocks in the In Situ mode. Materials and methods. The analysis of the elemental composition of seawater and soil samples was carried out using the laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy method. A two-pulse diode-pumped Nd: YAG laser DF-251 (SOL Instruments) was used as a source of laser plasma excitation. Results. An experimental hardware and software complex of an underwater spectrometer based on the method of laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy with the possibility of integrating it into existing remotely operated underwater vehicle (ROV) of the inspection class has been developed. Laboratory experiments were carried out to determine the chemical composition of a seawater sample. The possibility of using the presented hardware and software complex in the tasks of environmental monitoring of sea areas and geological exploration is shown. Conclusions. The obtained laboratory results make it possible to assert that the developed hardware and software complex is a promising solution for application in the problems of environmental monitoring of sea areas and geological exploration.