Field and laboratory instruments
The tools behind the diagnosis.
Coral reef diagnostics relies on a combination of underwater fieldwork and laboratory analysis. Here's an overview of the categories of scientific equipment involved in assessing, sampling, and monitoring reef health.
Field collection
01
Dive and survey systems
Scuba and snorkel-based survey gear used to reach reef sites directly, allowing divers to visually assess coral condition, lay transect lines, and collect samples in place.
Field collection
02
Underwater imaging
Housed cameras and photo-quadrat rigs used to document reef condition consistently over time, creating a visual record that can be compared across survey visits.
Sampling
03
Water and coral sampling
Sample bottles, corers, and collection vials used to gather water and tissue samples from the reef for later analysis — the raw material behind every diagnosis.
Lab analysis
04
Laboratory analysis bench
Once samples leave the water, lab equipment takes over — measuring water chemistry, processing tissue samples, and preparing material for closer inspection.
Lab analysis
05
Microscopy
Microscopes used to examine coral tissue and water samples at a cellular level, identifying signs of stress, bleaching, or disease not visible to the naked eye.
Monitoring
06
Biodiversity monitoring
Visual survey methods used to record fish and invertebrate populations alongside coral condition, since reef health and biodiversity are closely linked.