AlgaeTorch
Chlorophyll and Cyanobacteria Measurement
The quick-and-easy portable measuring instrument. Switch on, dip in, read off!
The bbe AlgaeTorch is a handy instrument for the measurement of microalgae and cyanobacteria in all types of water, both fresh and saline. The AlgaeTorch measures chlorophyll-a of intact cells without sample preparation. A complete measurement needs less than 20 seconds. No sampling or preparation is necessary.
Measurement of algal concentrations via fluorescence
The bbe AlgaeTorch uses in vivo fluorescence of algae cells: the algae pigments are selectively excited by coloured LEDs and emit red fluorescence light as a natural phenomenon. The intensity of the chlorophyll fluorescence is used to determine all phytoplankton as chlorophyll-a, here blue-green algae (cyanobacteria) and total microalgae. The calculation is based on the calibration of the AlgaeTorch with real microalgae. The result is shown immediately on the display and stored in the internal memory. An encapsulated USB port enables subsequent data transfer to a PC. The PC software is supplied free of charge.
Automatic turbidity compensation
Suspended particles in the water affect the chlorophyll determination. The built-in turbidity measurement compensates for such effects automatically. The benefit is the simultaneous turbidity correction during chlorophyll measurement which makes subsequent correction unnecessary, improves the accuracy and enables the evaluation of the results at site. The turbidity value is shown in the display.
Stand alone and online operation
The instrument is robust and completely sealed. The AlgaeTorcht is operated through the transparent housing using capacity keys. The key actions are confirmed by a vibration signal. In this way it is possible to ensure safe operation of the instrument even in a wet environment. The instrument is deployable down to depth of 10 m (optionally 100 m with the AlgaeTorch 100). No power cable is needed for operation due to the internal rechargeable batteries. The AlgaeTorch 10 is not conceived as an instrument for long-term submersed measurement.
The AlgaeTorch 100 can perform submersed chlorophyll measurement online connected to a cable to maximum 30 m depth. Different lengths of cable extensions (10, 20 and 30 m) are available for profiling and data transfer. The built-in pressure sensor in the AlgaeTorch 100 traces the depth. All results are visualized on the screen with the connected PC using bbe++ software.
With automatic turbidity correction for a reliable chlorophyll determination and GPS sensor for exact location recording
Features & Informations
Advantages of algae determination
- prompt chlorophyll analysis
- hazardous blue-green algae detection
- real-time measurement with automatic turbidity correction
- GPS coordinates
- simple operation with cable-free measurement
- calibrated with living algal cultures
Applications - Water Quality Monitoring
- water quality measurement in lakes, rivers, streams and also seawater
- detection of algal blooms and blue-green algae (cyanobacteria)
- management of reservoirs and dams
- environmental monitoring
- research and education
- analysis due to EU Water Frame Directive and Bathing Water Directive
Software
Instrument functions
- start/stop of instrument
- access to all stored values
- online display
- input and display of all parameters
- calibration
PC software functions
- read-out of data and parameters
- display and saving of measurement data
- graphic display of time and if necessary depth of measurement
- data export to EXCEL and ASCII files
- data export to Google Earth
Please note: The AlgaeTorch 10 is not conceived as an instrument for long-term submersed measurement.
Applications
Technical specification of our AlgaeTorch
| Description | Value |
|---|---|
| Measurands |
|
| Measuring range | 0 - 500 µg chl-a/l |
| Resolution | 0.1 µg chl-a/l |
| Lower detection limit | 0.15 µg chl-a/l |
| Repeatability | > 99% full scale |
| Turbidity compensation | 0-200 FTU |
| Weight | 1.3 kg |
| Size (H x Ø) | 500 x 60 mm |
| Power supply | 110/230 V - 50/60 Hz - 12V DC |
| Power input | 10 W |
| Temperature | Sample water: 0 - 35° C / Environment: 0 - 40° C |
| Protection class | IP 68 |
| Depth range |
|
| Interface | USB data port |
| Accessories |
|
| Options |
|
Subject to alteration!
Available variants of the AlgaeTorch
Available accessories for the AlgaeTorch
Downloads & Information about the AlgaeTorch
Manuals, software and further informations for this product may be available in the internal area for registered users.