Nitrate Sensor

Nitrate Sensor

Nitrate in Water:

Nitrate in water can form when bacteria use dissolved oxygen to oxidize ammonium. Nitrate can seep into streams, lakes and estuaries from ground water used by animal or human waste. If high concentrations of nitrate are found in water, it can increase the growth of algae and aquatic plants which has an impact on the environment. In a webinar by YSI experts, they go into detail about the impacts of nutrient levels being too high in aquatic settings and why it is important to perform nutrient monitoring in the waterways.

A traditional ISE nitrate sensor has silver or silver chloride wire electrode in a custom filling solution and an internal solution is separate from the sample medium by a polymer membrane. This selectively interacts with nitrate ions. YSI have designed the EXO NitraLED UV Nitrate Sensor to provide accurate, in situ measurement of Nitrate in freshwater environments. The UV LED technology is designed for long-term, low-drift monitoring.

Nitrate Sensor – NitraLED™:

The EXO NitraLED™ is the world’s most accessible Nitrate sensor with state-of-the-art LED technology for long-term nutrient monitoring. This UV Nitrate Sensor is cost effective and allows nitrate monitoring anywhere the user has an EXO Sonde. The NitraLED™ UV Nitrate sensor integrates seamlessly with any EXO Sonde which simplifies and reduces the cost of unattended nitrate monitoring for point and non-point source pollution in freshwater environments.

This UV Nitrate sensor is designed for long-term and low-drift monitoring with its built-in corrections for Natural Organimic Matter and Turbidity to minimise interference in these freshwater environments. The NitraLED employs two UV LEDs for measuring nitrate + nitrite absorbance which is proportional to the concentration of Nitrate as Nitrogen.

What to Expect in Your NitraLED Kit:

Key Advantages & Features:

LED vs. Lamp

Compared to competing UV Nitrate Sensors, the EXO NitraLED is purposely built for outdoor freshwater monitoring which enables more efficient operation and mitigates shortcoming associated with lamp-based competing sensors.

Easy and extended deployments:

The UV Nitrate sensor runs off the EXO Sondes user-replaceable batteries as it has reduced power consumption. The Sonde includes built-in memory for internal logging to allow for simple, autonomous deployments without additional cost and external hardware so there is no new infrastructure needed.

When the EXO Central Wiper is combined with the new NitraLED Wiper Brush, it protects all sensors from fouling and ensures data integrity over long deployment intervals. The arm extension with dual-bristle design wipes through the nitrate sensing window which allows a clean sample path and reduces the number of trips to the field.

Compact and accurate:

The UV Nitrate Sensor has been produced by YSI in a compact form-factor to fit perfectly in the palm of the user’s hand. The sensor can fit in the existing EXO bulkhead without the need for any modification. EXO probe guards and flow cells work with the EXO NitraLED.

User calibration:

The user can calibrate the EXO NitraLED whenever it is needed as the Kor Software allows for a simple 2-point calibration with indicators and helpful tips. The calibration report can be automatically generated at the end of calibration for record keeping.

Affordable:

Using UV LEDs over a full lamp saves on component and production costs which means the user saves money. The EXO NitraLED is a fraction of the price compared to other UV Nitrate monitors available on the market.

Intuitive Interface:

The EXO NitraLED UV Nitrate Sensor uses the same Kor Software and accessories as the EXO Sonde so there is no need to learn a new interface. The Kor Software is a simple interface for efficient setup and operation with smartQC indicators which provide a peace of mind before deployments.

Smart Probes and Ports:

EXO Sensors have onboard memory and processes to allow users to easily calibrate and configure the sensors in one location and distribute to various field sites. The smart sensors are automatically recognised from any port of an EXO Sonde which makes sensor payloads interchangeable and customisable.  The wet-mateable connectors on the EXO Sensors allow for swaps in wet conditions as the smart ports shut themselves down to prevent damage.

Additional Water Quality Sensors:

The multiple sensor ports in the EXO Sensor permits the user to supplement nitrate data with further water quality parameters. A broader analysis of the environmental conditions and impacts can be carried out due to this. The NiteLED provides a comprehensive understanding of water conditions that can assist with decision making.

Optical vs. ISE

Ion Selective Electrodes are susceptible to significant drift over short periods of time which make frequent calibration essential for reliable data. Daily calibration is not practical for unattended deployments and optical sensors are much more suitable for in situ monitoring as they remain stable over several weeks. These sensors feature improved accuracy and resolution over ISEs.