ORNL: ORNL-01: Toxins in Water by Chlorophyll Fluorescence
|
Official Method Name
|
AquaSentinel - WaterSentry chlorophyll fluorescence |
|---|---|
|
Current Revision
| 2005 |
|
Media
|
WATER |
|
Instrumentation
|
Fluorescence Spectroscopy |
|
Method Subcategory
|
Acute Toxicity |
|
Method Source
|
|
|
Citation
|
|
|
Brief Method Summary
|
AquaSentinel provides early warning of chemical toxin and selected biotoxin contamination in primary-source water supplies. It monitors naturally occurring algae and applies the fundamental principles of photosynthesis and state-of-the-art light-measuring instruments to provide continuous, unattended surveillance of both standing and flowing water supplies. This technology can be deployed anywhere in the world drinking water is drawn from sources that are exposed to sunlight. AquaSentinel collects real-time data in the field and sends it by remote encrypted wireless transmissions to a command center. Results are obtained in minutes and can give decision makers hours in which to respond to potentially abnormal conditions. |
|
Scope and Application
|
This method is designed for early warning of contamination of primary-source drinking water supplies. |
|
Applicable Concentration Range
|
ppm |
|
Interferences
|
Chlorine; photoinhibition due to diurnal cycle of the algae (system has been designed to address this interference). |
|
Quality Control Requirements
|
Recommended minimal maintenance: Monthly. |
|
Sample Handling
|
Automated and continuous. WaterSentry has two bags for sample collection. Samples can be sealed and stored in the system upon retrieval. Dark adaptation required. In heavily-sedimented streams, filtering may be required. |
|
Maximum Holding Time
|
See "sample Handling" |
|
Relative Cost
|
Greater than $400 |
|
Sample Preparation Methods
|
No reagents/chemical methods required. |
