New generation of UV Nitrate Sensors
Nutrient monitoring is becoming more important as time goes on – as human activity increases the natural amount of nitrate in water, plants and organisms are more and more negatively affected.
Current nutrient monitoring relies on low temporal frequency monitoring and spot-checking, which are vulnerable to uncertainties and less representative of the waterbody. They also aren’t equipped to measure episodic events, which are time sensitive and unpredictable.
Monitoring is moving more towards continuous measurements, which allows for more effective pollution reduction strategies and prioritization of infrastructure investments. More data also means a better understanding of where to focus data monitoring and conservation efforts.
It is far more cost-effective to prevent contamination in the first place than it is to treat existing contamination. This has led to an increased demand for sensors that deliver continuous data, both spatial and temporal, in real-time and with a lower cost per data point.
This is why we’ve released the OTT ecoN, an affordable UV nitrate sensor designed for optical determination of nitrate (NO3-N) in fresh surface and groundwater. Here’s why you should consider the OTT ecoN for your stations in the field.
Key benefits
Besides being one of the most cost-effective options now on the market, the ecoN has numerous benefits.
- Proven field reliability using the absorption method, which provides high accuracy, minimizes drift, and eliminates bias
- Easy-to-operatewith browser-based software and modular design
- Reduces annual maintenancerequirements to typical cleaning and exchange of wiper blades (if using optional wiper)
- Ensures data qualityby including signal quality indicators (SQI) with each measurement
Key features
Advancing the legacy of industry-leading nutrient sensors, the OTT ecoN is built for continuous use in fresh water and combines field reliability and low maintenance with browser-based software to deliver a lower operational cost.
The OTT ecoN is equipped for optic measurements for nitrate source detection. You can use it from a boat or kayak to monitor nitrate levels while moving upstream, utilizing its support of browser-based software application, 2-GB internal datalogger, and light-weight design. You could also easily deploy it from a bridge or river bank mounted rail system for seasonal nitrate monitoring or during storm events, for short or long-term continuous monitoring.
The ecoN has the following features:
- Detection of NO3-N using absorption at 212 nm
- Measure timing of < 10 seconds
- Precise optical technology with reference signals
- Calibration verification
To set-up, simply connect to a datalogger and select a method for transmitting the data to your computer. The ecoN can be supplemented with an anti-fouling wiper, to decrease maintenance requirements and total cost of ownership while improving data quality.
Key takeaway
The OTT ecoN for continuous use in fresh water combines field reliability and low maintenance with browser-based software to reduce drift and eliminate bias.
By generating instantaneous insights on environmental water quality, you can establish baseline ranges and capture general trends over time. These datasets are key for pollution reduction/control strategies and protecting water resources for a better future.
Learn more about nitrate monitoring and how the OTT ecoN can improve your data!
