EQUIPMENT RESEARCH

RA-915M Mercury Analyzer (2).

There are various tools that are used to measure the concentration of contaminates in the surface water, sediment, and soils (1). The Aquasonde-7000 appears to be a high-quality product with a number of key features such as an electrical optical sensor can be used to monitor the colored or chromophoric dissolved organic matter (CDOM) in the water (5). Too much organic matter causes the water to turn murky. The amount is important to know because as organic matter decomposes it creates tannins which increases the acidity and decreases oxygen levels of the water. In addition, the probe can measure the pH, salinity, temperature, depth, and more. One downside is that the the max depth is 100m. For anything deeper than that, I suggest checking out the probes by Turner Designs (4). They have submersible fluorometers that go down to 6000m. 

 

Heavy metal contamination poses serious risks to the environment. To determine the level of risk posed by mercury in the South River, a mercury analyzer can be used. The RA-915M Mercury Analyzer is a portable multifunctional atomic absorption spectrometer that can measure the amount of mercury in the air, water, and sediment in real time (2). The Jerome® J505 Mercury Vapor Analyzer is a comparable alternative with a high level of accuracy (3).

 

1. 7 Ways to Measure, Monitor, and Evaluate Water Quality. (2017). Retrieved from https://publiclab.org/notes/anngneal/12-08-2017/7-ways-to-measure-monitor-and-evaluate-water-quality

2. Portable Zeeman Mercury Analyzer RA-915m - Mercury Spectrometer Price: Direct, pyrolysis and cold vapor analysis. (n.d) Lumex Instruments - Laboratory Analytical Equipment manufacturer. Retrieved fromhttps://www.lumexinstruments.com/catalog/atomic-absorption-spectrometry/ra-915m.php  

3. Jerome j505-Mercury Vapor Analyzer. AMETEK Brookfield North America. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://store.brookfieldengineering.com/jerome-j505-mercury-vapor-analyzer/  

4. Quick comparison reference for Turner Designs submersible fluorometers. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://docs.turnerdesigns.com/t2/doc/comparison-guides/S-0232.pdf  

5. Water quality testing equipment - Aquasonde-7000. Aquaread. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.aquaread.com/products/water-quality/aquasonde-7000