FluoroProbe Yellow Substances and automatic Turbidity Correction

The chlorophyll measuring instrument with algae class differentiation

The bbe FluoroProbe is a highly sensitive measuring instrument for the analysis of chlorophyll with algae class determination. Individual profiles during the measurements are taken for green algae, blue-green algae/cyanobacteria, diatoms/dinoflagellates and cryptophytes.

This enables the analysis of the occurrence and distribution of e.g. blue-green algae on site without the necessity of the laboratory. Possible interferences due to yellow substances are eliminated by an integrated CDOM correction factor.

Chlorophyll in vivo measurement can be affected by particulate matter in the water body.  Therefore a correction is essential when the turbidity is too high. The bbe FluoroProbe  with the optional transmission sensor provides automatic turbidity correction using the latest bbe++ software extension. Turbidity correction with the FluoroProbe makes chlorophyll determination even more reliable.

The bbe FluoroProbe can quickly and reliably determine the chlorophyll content of different algae classes down to a depth of 100m (optionally 1000 m). The measurement data can be displayed in real time on a PC or be stored in the probe for subsequent evaluation.

Measurement principle

The fluorescence of algae (emission at approx. 700nm wavelength) due to excitation by visible light mainly depends on the presence of chlorophyll-a, a common pigment in the plant world. The occurrence of other pigments is typical for the different algae classes. Interactions between these different pigment systems with chlorophyll-a result in a special excitation spectrum for the taxonomical algae classes.

The special patterns of this algae fluorescence - so-called fingerprints - are used in the bbe fluorometers for the quantification of different algae classes. The excitation light sources are LEDs with different wavelengths. The fingerprints of four algae classes and of yellow substances are already stored in the FluoroProbe. Special user-defined fingerprints can also be added

Advantages of the FluoroProbe

• determination of green algae, blue-green algae (cyanobacteria), diatoms and cryptophytes

• up to 4 other algae classes can be calibrated by the user

• up to 4 measurements per second

• yellow substances correction and compensation of interferences by UV-LED

• turbidity correction

• reduces the number of required microscopic laboratory examinations

• internal rechargeable batteries

• internal datalogger

• PC software for data analysis

• options: pressure sensor, transmission measurement