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

Authors

  • Moisés Knochen Primo Departamento Estrella Campos, Facultad de Química, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay. Grupo de Instrumentación y Automatización en Química Analítica (GIAQA), Facultad de Química, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay http://orcid.org/0000-0001-9263-7428
  • Guillermo Roth Departamento Estrella Campos, Facultad de Química, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay. Grupo de Instrumentación y Automatización en Química Analítica (GIAQA), Facultad de Química, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay http://orcid.org/0000-0001-6498-609X
  • Pablo González Departamento Estrella Campos, Facultad de Química, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay. Grupo de Instrumentación y Automatización en Química Analítica (GIAQA), Facultad de Química, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay http://orcid.org/0000-0003-4311-4537
  • Nicolás Pérez Instituto de Ingeniería Eléctrica, Facultad de Ingeniería, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay. Grupo de Instrumentación y Automatización en Química Analítica (GIAQA), Facultad de Química, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay. http://orcid.org/0000-0002-8043-5383
  • Pablo Monzón Instituto de Ingeniería Eléctrica, Facultad de Ingeniería, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay http://orcid.org/0000-0001-7924-681X
  • Mariana Del Castillo Instituto de Ingeniería Eléctrica, Facultad de Ingeniería, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay http://orcid.org/0000-0001-7729-3209

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.

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References

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Published

2018-12-19

How to Cite

Knochen Primo, M., Roth, G., González, P., Pérez, N., Monzón, P., & Del Castillo, M. (2018). Design, construction and evaluation of an in situ autonomous analyser for monitoring of phosphorus and nitrogen levels in surface waters. First results. INNOTEC, (17 ene-jun), 18–30. https://doi.org/10.26461/17.04

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Articles