Importance Of Field AnalysisOn-site acquisition of non-falsified real-time measuring data is especially important in environmental monitoring The protection of the natural environment and important habitats, for present and future generations, has become increasingly important to the general public over the past few decades. In Europe, expansion and integration of the European Union has launched many projects and targets with a long term focus for environmental protection. Such projects rely in part upon the development of new methods in environmental monitoring. For example, The European Water Framework Directive of 23rd of October 2000 formulates a long-term target for load reduction on water bodies in order to reach a “good condition” of waters by the year 2015. Besides performing a biological and morphological analysis, the following parameters are of importance:
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These parameters are often considered “early warning factors” within the complicated networks of delicate ecosystems. By regularly surveying these factors, any disorders and irregularities can be quickly detected. A common example of these factors is the nutrient inputs of nitrogen (nitrate or ammonia) and phosphate by nonpoint sources, e.g. intensive agriculture. These inputs can cause eutrophication of the water bodies, leading to enhanced algae growth (algal boom) and to massive disturbance of the oxygen balance (depletion), particularly with standing water bodies. The release of toxins by blue-green algae in heavily polluted waters is nowadays widely known. There are many other pollutants also requiring surveillance, e.g. the deposition of air pollutants, e.g. nitrogen oxides and sulphur dioxide, or the harmful heavy metals around mineral deposits. The on-site acquisition of non-falsified real time measuring data is an important prerequisite for environmental monitoring. This is due to the fact that any transport of samples to a laboratory for subsequent measuring may entail the risk of falsified results. These measuring requirements and the parameters enumerated above demonstrate the need for versatile and mobile measuring instruments. WTW have spent considerable efforts in the development of equipment that can monitor multiple parameters, and succeeded to set standards in this field: Only two portable instruments are required to collect virtually all physico-chemical data on-site, namely the new pocket photometer pHotoFlex Turb and the multi-parameter instrument, Multi 350i. |
The three-in-one instrument: pHotoFlex Turb pHotoFlex Turb is the first instrument to combine the measuring of the three most fundamental parameters in environmental monitoring and general water analysis: the photometrical determination of dissolved substances, the turbidity measurement in the range of 0–1100 NTU/FNU, and pH determination. pHotoFlex enables determination of many environmentally relevant parameters readily with test kits. More than 60 kits are available at present, including many standard parameters for nitrogen and phosphorus, heavy metals and anionic substances, acid capacity and sulphate. The number of available tests, particularly in the case of water analysis, is very large and is continually being increased. On-site testing is enhanced via a clearly laid-out backlit display, which provides user guidance. A quick reference guide printed on water resistant material provides a brief instruction plus a list of the test kit method numbers. This list is also stored directly on the photometer and can be recalled at any time. Further to this information, new methods for future test kits, along with analysis instructions and an extended version of the quick reference guide can be downloaded from the WTW pHotoFlex Turb website. |
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Test kits for all requirements WTW has broadened the test kits palette with the mobile application range of the pHotoFlex in mind. New kits without certificate plus convenient and favourably priced powder tests have been introduced. These products complement the certified high quality cuvettes and reagents tests covering extensive measuring ranges down to trace analysis with laboratory photometers. Thus, the user can select the appropriate test according to location and required measuring range. In the case of environmental monitoring particularly, a mere point of reference is needed in order to take a quick decision on how to proceed. The exact analysis can be processed in the laboratory later on. A selection of different test classes allows carrying out inspection work most economically. A measuring instrument for mobile use has to meet high demands: It must be handy, robust, water resistant and precise, have a low power consumption and a large data storage capacity. pHotoFlex Turb is equipped with a precision LED optical system plus infrared LED. It is immersion proof according to IP67 and it can measure up to 3000 and store up to 1000 data sets with one single battery set. Documentation of the measured values is according to GLP with date, time and sample ID, the output of values can be done via a RS-232 interface and further processed. A highlight of the pHotoFlex mechanical construction is the built-in adapter for 16 mm and 28 mm cuvettes. The different cuvette sizes enable not only the measuring of turbidimetric and photometric parameters with one single instrument, but also the use of a variety of test kits with wide measuring range.
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The multi-parameter measuring instrument Multi 350i The Multi 350i can measure any remaining parameters that are not measured by the pHotoFlex Turb. This portable multi-parameter measuring instrument measures oxygen, conductivity, pH, mV and temperature and is suited for the measurement of dissolved substances by means of ion selective electrodes. Furthermore, all derived parameters, e.g. TDS or salinity, are easy to determine. The Multi 350i can be operated either with single probes or with the MPP 350, a remarkable combination probe. Features of distinction of the instrument include its high precision, the data logger function for up to 1800 data sets and the GLP compliant documentation with printer and PC connection. It is supplied with the MultiLab pilot software enabling the transfer of stored data and their further processing, for instance in Excel.
The combination of these two WTW instruments, pHotoFlex and Multi 350i, provides a handy and portable measuring station for the comprehensive surveillance of water bodies. The water policy guidelines give only one representative example for its usefulness. The growing importance of such versatile measuring instruments is illustrated by recent natural disasters, events that have had devastating effects on the water supply of millions of people. |
Veiw ENTIRE range of Environmental products offered by Carl Stuart Ltd. Any further questions? Please contact our Customer Care Center: onlinestore@carlstuart.com |
