Researchers at the UK’s Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (CEH) have conducted trials on the river Thames to evaluate a new remote phosphate monitoring technology (Cycle-P)as part of a high-frequency (hourly resolution) monitoring programme that is studying river nutrient concentrations and how they are affected by algal abundance. The monitoring system ran continuously over the summer of 2014,measuring total reactive phosphate levels in the river, day and night, seven days a week. These results have now been compared with manually collected samples that were analysed in a laboratory with the traditional Murphy and Riley spectrophotometric method on unfiltered samples, and Dr Mike Bowes, senior nutrient hydrochemist at CEH, says: “The Cycle-P is working really well; the system operated independently for long periods and produced results that tracked our lab samples closely.”

Most water quality parameters are relatively simple to measure with low-power accurate sensors. However, the measurement of phosphate necessitates colorimetric analysis and this presents a significant challenge in remote locations with difficult access or where mains power is not available. The Cycle PO4 from OTT Hydrometry (known as the Cycle-P) is therefore gathering considerable interest because it is battery powered and able to operate unattended in the field,running over 1,000 tests before a field service is necessary to change the reagents.

Quantitech (Milton Keynes) has announced the launch of theFROG-4000™, a rugged, portable instrument capable of analysing trace levels of individual volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in air, soil and water. “With this technology, operators will be able to conduct fast on-site analysis in a range of environmental, health and safety applications,”says Quantitech’s Dr Andrew Hobson. “The ability to analyse VOCs quickly, on-site, is a major benefit; partly, because samples containing volatiles are notoriously difficult to transport, but also because many applications require instant data.

For example, land remediation companies need to know which soil is contaminated so that they can either store or treat it, and they need to know if treatment was successful. Theymay also need to test liquid effluent against a discharge permit.

Quantitech has experienced a surge in demand for the Gasmet portable FTIR emissions analyser, the DX4000. “We believe that this instrument is now the only portable FTIR with MCERTS certification, and this is driving demand for both instrument rental and sales,” says Dominic Duggan.

The Gasmet DX4000 portable FTIR gas analyser is typically used in stack emissions monitoring, comparison measurements, catalytic process control and other applications where multiple gas compounds need to be accurately monitored in a hot and humid sample gas. The corrosion resistant sample cell is heated to 180 °C, which ensures that the sample stays in the gaseous phase even with high concentrations of moisture or corrosive gases.

In response to UK customer demand SEAL Analytical has recently recruited new technical and sales support staff, and invested in new larger premises. The new Southampton facility includes a state-of-the-art method development laboratory, which will also be used for training and demonstrations, featuring advanced segmented flow analysers such as the AA3 and discrete analysers such as the AQ1, AQ2, and the new AQ400. The lab will also feature block digesters and automated sample/standards preparation equipment.