Seismic Soundoff

“Distributed chemical sensing really is the next frontier in fiber-optic monitoring. It adds a new dimension by directly connecting chemical changes in the environment to signals we can read.” Distributed chemical sensing (DCS) is an emerging technology that utilizes fiber optics to measure chemical changes over long distances in real-time. Authors Christian Totland, Thomas Dylan Mikesell, and Peter James Thomas join host Andrew Geary to discuss their new paper, "Distributed chemical sensing: An unexplored frontier in urban, industrial, and environmental monitoring." Unlike traditional point sensors, which only capture data at one location, DCS has the potential to provide continuous chemical information with both high spatial and temporal resolution. This innovation could transform how we monitor pipelines, groundwater, and industrial sites, while also opening new opportunities for collaboration between geophysics, chemistry, and material science. KEY TAKEAWAYS > DCS can detect leaks, contamination, and ch