Design, construction and evaluation of an in situ autonomous analyser for monitoring of phosphorus and nitrogen levels in surface waters. First results

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.26461/17.04

Keywords:

water, nutrients, automated analysis, chemical telemetry

Abstract

A prototype of a low-cost automated analyser capable of in situ operation next to a water body is described. The analyser can determine levels of phosphorus (orthophosphate) and nitrogen (nitrate+nitrite), along with pH and temperature, transmitting the results to a remote station via wireless internet. Phosphorus and nitrogen determinations are carried out by means of photometric methods, implemented in a pulsed-flow system. For control and data acquisition the open-source Arduino platform of microcontrollers was used. The system runs on rechargeable batteries, with the possible support of a solar panel. Preliminary evaluation of the analytical methods carried out in the laboratory showed figures of merit fit for the purpose. A field evaluation is foreseen in the near future, where the analyser will be tested under real conditions. This type of instruments is considered to be potentially useful in environmental analysis.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Published

2018-12-19

Issue

Section

Articles

How to Cite

Design, construction and evaluation of an in situ autonomous analyser for monitoring of phosphorus and nitrogen levels in surface waters. First results. (2018). INNOTEC, 17 ene-jun, 18-30. https://doi.org/10.26461/17.04