www.bbe-moldaenke.de AlgaeOnlineAnalyser Harmful Algae monitoring 24/7 The best solution for the Online, flow-through measurement of microalgal Online Monitoring of Algae concentrations in rivers, lakes and reservoirs e y al Scienc y/Limnolog onment obiolog or Envir dr e fut al Instit eder y - Division of Hy o: Swiss F echnolog Phot and T What does the Algae- OnlineAnalyser offer? The AlgaeOnlineAnalyser is an instrument for the rapid measurement of microalgae using a flow-through chamber. The AlgaeOnlineAnalyser is used in measuring stations and laboratories, TAsks in fact anywhere where the online assessment of water quality of flowing waters, reservoirs and of drinking water extraction is needed. ▶ algae online analysis On board ships and integrated into complex analytical systems, the AlgaeOnlineAnalyser determines biologically relevant data of commonly ▶ regulatory control and monitoring travelled shipping routes. Further applications are in the detection of the early stages of algal blooms, of ecological changes in diverse phyto- ▶ environmental plankton and in limnology, as well as in oceanology. monitoring The purpose of algal class determination is the qualitative and quanti- ▶ limnological tative detection and evaluation of the occurrence of particular types of questions algae, particularly those which can be classified as potentially harmful. ▶ Planktothrix This includes e.g. the cyanobacteria Planktothrix rubescens, which detection increasingly occur in reservoirs used for drinking water extraction. AlgaeOnlineAnalyser | bbe moldaenke © 2 The measurement principle MEAsUREMENT The AlgaeOnlineAnalyser continuously determines the algal content ▶ in vivo determination of water based on chlorophyll fluorescence in real time and without in real time the need for sample preparation. The chlorophyll-a measurement is ▶ multi-spectral used as an approximation of the biomass of the micro-phytoplankton excitation in the water. The measurement is based on the natural fluorescence of the photosynthesis apparatus of chlorophyll using excitation by light ▶ measurement of sources. Comprehensive excitation of all microalgae is made possible up to five algal classes by six different LEDs at particular frequencies. ▶ Calibration at The presence of characteristic pigments in the algae influences chloro-factory phyll-a fluorescence. A complex spectral analysis leads to the allocation of the fluorescence signal to particular algal classes. Up to five different ▶ method comparison algal classes can be determined simultaneously. ▶ highest sensitivity In contrast to other commercially available chlorophyll measurement instruments, the AlgaeOnlineAnalyser is calibrated using real algal cultures. The fluorescence measurement corresponds to the time-intensive, wet-chemical chlorophyll analysis according to ISO 10260 and DIN The AlgaeOnlineAnalyser 38412/16. However, in contrast to wet-chemical analysis, the Algae-measures 42 cm high by 60 cm wide and OnlineAnalyser needs no sample preparation and can even replace 20 cm deep the laborious method of cell counting with a microscope. Fluorometric determination using the AlgaeOnlineAnalyser is highly sensitive due to the use of a low-noise photomultiplier. „ With the AlgaeOnlineAnalyser we always have the algal con- tent of our waterworks intake under control and can react immediately if it becomes too high. “Norbert Kellner Department Head of Glüder Waterworks, Germany bbe moldaenke © | AlgaeOnlineAnalyser 3 What else can the AlgaeOnlineAnalyser do? FEATUREs Unique Features ▶ yellow substances The integrated detection and correction of yellow substances elimi-measurement and nates the disturbing influence of fluorescent humic substances on the correction chlorophyll measurement and improves the quality of the measurement. ▶ transmission Additional information on turbid matter is provided by the transmission measurement measurement, which is also used for the compensation of turbidity. ▶ touchscreen All relevant data and measurement results are displayed on the touchscreen in the form of tables or graphs and stored in the database. The ▶ integrated PC parameter settings and the measurement process can be controlled by database using the integrated PC. Alarm values can be freely chosen by the user or ▶ alarm threshold adapted to WHO guidelines. A calculation in cell/l is on your choice. values Extensive fluorescence measurements allow analysis of the photosyn- ▶ measurement of thetic activity of the available algae. The resulting numeric values indicate photosynthesis the health of the algae and their photosynthetic performance. activity The components of the AlgaeOnlineAnalyser sensor touchscreen interfaces sample inlet peristaltic pump USB slot AlgaeOnlineAnalyser | bbe moldaenke © 4 Valve Control: the AlgaeOnlineAnalyser can analyse several water samples in FEATUREs sequence using valves attached to several different inlet tubes. The results allow direct measures to be taken to reduce undesired algae in e.g. sample ▶ alternating channel water, cooling water and aquaculture plants. measurements in sequence Remote control and operation of the AlgaeOnlineAnalyser is feasible from a ▶ remote data access central computer system via the Modbus TCP/IP protocol. ▶ algae breeding ex The instrument is calibrated using pre-installed algal classes before delivery. works The algal cultures and the corresponding reference instrument are subject to continual quality control. ▶ reduced maintenance due to cleaning me- The AlgaeOnlineAnalyser needs very little maintenance and uses a chanism cleaning mechanism in the measuring chamber. This ensures the removal of particles and biofilms inside the chamber. Biofilms can reduce the excitation light and lead to continually worsening measurement results. INTERFACEs Interfaces ▶ RS232 The AlgaeOnlineAnalyser is equipped with a serial RS232 interface for data export and for connection to an external computer. In addition to the serial ▶ Ethernet, USB connections, the instruments can be integrated into a LAN network via ▶ analogue outputs Ethernet and also has a USB (2.0) interface. Optionally, additional analogue outputs (in pairs) up to a maximum of 16 and relay outputs for alarms, ▶ relay outputs up to a maximum of 8 can be installed. A SDI 12 converter is available on request. A look inside the bbe AlgaeOnlineAnalyser Details of AlgaeOnlineAnalyser measurements MEAsUREMENT PROCEDURE Algae of a taxonomic class possess a similar composition of photosynthetic pigments and thus have a typical in vivo fluorescence-excitation spectrum, ▶ chlorophyll whereby the emission wavelengths of the measured fluorescent light determination are between 680 and 700 nm. It is thus possible to allocate an algal spe-of algal classes cies to a spectral algal class due to its fluorescence spectrum. In order to ▶ unique pigment obtain a meaningful fluorescence excitation spectrum, six LEDs are used analysis via at frequencies of 370nm, 430nm, 470nm, 525nm, 590nm and 610nm, multispectral respectively. The excitation wavelengths of the LEDs are adapted to the excitation absorption wavelengths of the light-harvesting pigments of different algal classes: phycocyanin, phycoerythrin, fucoxanthin, peridinin and chlorophyll. The excitation of the algal pigments is performed after a dark adaptation by switching on the LEDs one after the other at high frequency. In the phases in between these pulses, the fluorescence emission of the bbe moldaenke © | AlgaeOnlineAnalyser 5 chlorophyll is measured as an answer to the excitation. Spectra of different 1 Wiltshire, K. H., Harsdorf, S., algal classes of an algal sample consisting of cyanobacteria, chlorophytes, Smidt, B., Blöcker, G., Reuter, R. and Schroeder, F.; The the brown group, diatoms, dinoflagellates and cryptophytes are recorded. determination of algal biomass (as chlorophyll) in suspended A mean excitation spectrum per chlorophyll-a content (fingerprint) of an matter from the Elbe estuary algal class is determined. Using these “fingerprints” and a mathematical and the German Bight: A comparison of HPLC, delayed operation (best-fit procedure) enables to calculate the chlorophyll-a con-fluorescence and prompt fluore- centration from a complex mixture and the distribution of up to 4 different scence methods. J. Exp. M. Biol. Ecol. 222, 113-algal classes in a water sample. A fifth preinstalled class is reserved for the 131 (1998). detection of fluorescent yellow substances (humic substances) and their 2 Bernard Genty, Jean-Marie use in the chlorophyll correction. Additional algal classes can be added Briantais and Neil R. Baker; The relationship between customized. The chlorophyll determination is quantitatively based on an the quantum yield of photo established HPLC separation method of algal pigments(1). synthetic electron transport and quenching of chlorophyll fluorescence, Biochimica et Biophysica Acta 990, 87-92, (1989). Principle of the activity measurement The light energy (photons) absorbed by the chloro-becomes saturated with intense light, the photosyn-phyll of the algal cell is used either for photosynthesis thetic process is limited and the fluorescence reaches or dissipated as heat or fluorescence. The processes the maximum fmax within milliseconds. The difference are linked in such a way that information on the photo- between fmax and f0 is called variable fluorescence and synthetic performance of the algae can be derived reflects the maximum range of the use of light for pho-from the fluorescence. tosynthesis. The capacity of the photosynthetic activity is charac-The photosynthetic activity is calculated by fmax - f0/ terised by maximal quantum yield (energy input / ma-fmax , also known in the literature as the Genty factor ximum used energy in photosynthesis). After a dark (a number between 0 and 1), which correlates to adaptation, the base fluorescence f0 is determined, oxygen release of photosynthesis. This factor is not which represents low energy input when the photo-dependent on the chlorophyll concentration. When system receives only minor photons, i.e. when no more algae are damaged by external factors, photosynthesis photosynthetic products are made. If the system then is reduced and so is the Genty factor (2). 6 AlgaeOnlineAnalyser | bbe moldaenke © Software, specifications and scope of delivery The software of the AlgaeOnlineAnalyser sOFTWARE The AlgaeOnlineAnalyser uses the bbe++ software supplied. The main ▶ graphic display functions are the operation, parameterisation and control of the instru- ▶ table view ment, data observation and the evaluation in the form of tables or graphs, as well as the export of data and parameters in different formats (e.g. ▶ parameterisation Excel). ▶ database function All parameters and data are stored in a database. The database can ▶ data export store the data from different instruments and types. The raw data measured using the AlgaeOnlineAnalyser can be subjected to recalculation ▶ recalculation (refit) using a changed parameter set. This recalculation (refit) leads to better ▶ calibration function results when the basic algal class better fits the algae in the sample. Using the bbe++ software new, different algal classes can be calibrated. The off- ▶ batch mode set (zero value, blank) is also determined using the calibration function. ▶ macro function In batch mode, individual samples can be analysed. To do this, the ▶ alarms and AlgaeOnlineAnalyser is completely filled with a sample and the measure-alarm thresholds ment is started manually. ▶ test function ▶ operating system Screenshot of the AlgaeOnlineAnalyser sCOPE OF DELIVERY ▶ Instrument: AlgaeOnlineAnalyser The macro function contains pre-installed settings for a combination of ▶ manual graphs and tables. This function allows the user to easily select commonly used windows for display. ▶ software Alarm thresholds are configured for the individual algal classes or total ▶ network cable chlorophyll levels. Alarms are shown on the display and can trigger an ▶ replacement tubes alarm (optional relay) or send a signal to the serial interface. ▶ replacement fuse A test mode to check the functions of the hardware components of the AlgaeOnlineAnalyser is also integrated. ▶ plugs for analogue output / relay output The bbe software runs on all present-day Windows PCs. The touchscreen PC of the AlgaeOnlineAnalyser uses a current Windows operating system. bbe moldaenke © | AlgaeOnlineAnalyser 7 BENEFITs Technical Details ▶ Immediate analysis of chlorophyll content DESCRIPTION VALUE ▶ Covers all algae clas- total chlorophyll-a [μg Chl –a/l], ses with six excitation concentration green algae [μg Chl –a/l], wavelengths concentration cyanobacteria [μg Chl –a/l], Measurements concentration brown class algae [μg Chl –a/l], ▶ Adjustable alarm concentration cryptophytes [μg Chl –a/l], thresholds yellow substances (relative units), photosynthetic activity (Genty factor), trans- ▶ prompt information on mission at 5 wavelengths, water temperature cyanobacteria on-site Chlorophyll 0 - 200 μg chlorophyll-a/l Measurement principle spectral fluorometry ▶ long-term operation, little maintenance Resolution 0.01 μg chlorophyll-a/l due to self-cleaning Transmission 0 - 100%, photometry antifouling Photosynthetic activity 0-1 for > 3 μg chlorophyll-a/l ▶ calibrated using real Cleaning function cleaning piston algal cultures Housing V4A steel/aluminium/coated steel plate Weight 19 kg ▶ evaluation of the algal condition of the Dimensions (H x W x D) 420 x 600 x 200 mm flow-through sample Protection class IP 54 Voltage 110/240 V 50/60 Hz ▶ simple operation with touchscreen PC Performance 100 W Sample temperature 0 - 40 °C Sample volume 30 ml Maintenance interval > 7 days Sample feed free pressureless inlet / peristaltic pump touchscreen PC 12” with Windows, PC bbe++ software Outputs USB, LAN, R232 modem, analogue outputs 4-20 mA up to 16, Outputs (optional) relay outputs up to 8, SDI-12 converter, Modbus TCP/IP Do you have any questions? Please contact us! Your local representative bbe Moldaenke GmbH Preetzer Chaussee 177 Tel.: +49 (0) 431 - 380 40-0 24222 Schwentinental Fax: +49 (0) 431 - 380 40-10 Germany bbe@bbe-moldaenke.de