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 wherever the online assessment of water quality of flowing waters, reservoirs and drinking water extraction is needed. ▶ online algae 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 include the detection of the early stages of algal blooms, ecological changes in diverse phyto- ▶ environmental plankton, as well as in limnological and oceanographic studies. 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 the cyanobacteria Planktothrix rubescens, which increa-detection singly 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 photosynthetic 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 wavelengths. ▶ 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 38412/16. However, in contrast to wet-chemical analysis, the AlgaeOnlineAnalyser needs no sample preparation and can even replace the The AlgaeOnlineAnalyser laborious method of cell counting with a microscope. measures 42 cm high by 60 cm wide and 20 cm deep 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 interference of fluorescent humic substances on the chlo-correction rophyll 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. An optional conversion of algal concentra-values tions to cells/L is available. ▶ measurement of Extensive fluorescence measurements allow analysis of the photosyn-photosynthetic thetic activity of the available algae. The resulting numeric values indicate activity the health of the algae and their photosynthetic performance. The components of the AlgaeOnlineAnalyser sensor touchscreen interfaces sample inlet peristatic 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 given taxonomic class possess a similar composition of photosynthetic pigments and thus have a typical in vivo fluorescence-excitation ▶ chlorophyll spectrum, whereby the emission wavelengths of the measured fluorescent determination light are between 680 and 700 nm. It is thus possible to allocate an algal of algal classes species to a spectral algal class based on its fluorescence spectrum. In ▶ unique pigment order to obtain a meaningful fluorescence excitation spectrum, six LEDs analysis via are used at frequencies of 370nm, 430nm, 470nm, 525nm, 590nm and multispectral 610nm, respectively. The excitation wavelengths of the LEDs are adapted excitation to the 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 between these pulses, the fluorescence emission of the bbe moldaenke © | AlgaeOnlineAnalyser 5 chlorophyll chlorophyll resulting from the excitation is measured. Spectra 1 Wiltshire, K. H., Harsdorf, S., of different algal classes of an algal sample consisting of cyanobacteria, Smidt, B., Blöcker, G., Reuter, R. and Schroeder, F.; The chlorophytes, diatoms, dinoflagellates and cryptophytes are recorded. determination of algal biomass (as chlorophyll) in suspended A mean excitation spectrum normalized by chlorophyll-a content (finger-matter from the Elbe estuary print) of an algal class is determined. Using these “fingerprints” and a and the German Bight: A comparison of HPLC, delayed mathematical operation (best-fit procedure) enables to calculate the fluorescence and prompt fluore-chlorophyll-a concentration from a complex mixture and the distribution scence methods. J. Exp. M. Biol. Ecol. 222, 113-of up to 4 different algal classes in a water sample. A fifth preinstalled 131 (1998). class is reserved for the detection of fluorescent yellow substances (humic 2 Bernard Genty, Jean-Marie substances) and their is used in the chlorophyll correction. Additional Briantais and Neil R. Baker; The relationship between algal classes can be added and customized. The chlorophyll determination the quantum yield of photo is quantitatively based on an established HPLC separation method of algal synthetic electron transport and quenching of chlorophyll pigments(1). 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 energy used 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 minimal 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 supplied bbe++ software. The main ▶ graphic display functions of the software are the operation, parameterisation and cont- ▶ table view rol of the instrument, data observation and the evaluation in the form of tables or graphs, as well as the export of data and parameters in different ▶ parameterisation formats (e.g. 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 can be configured for the individual algal classes or ▶ network cable total chlorophyll levels. Alarms are shown on the display and can trigger ▶ replacement tubes an 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 DESCRIPTION VALUE of chlorophyll content total chlorophyll-a [μg Chl –a/l], ▶ Covers all algae clas- concentration green algae [μg Chl –a/l], ses with six excitation concentration cyanobacteria [μg Chl –a/l], wavelengths Measurements concentration brown class algae [μg Chl –a/l], concentration cryptophytes [μg Chl –a/l], ▶ Adjustable alarm yellow substances (relative units), thresholds photosynthetic activity (Genty factor), transmission at 5 wavelengths, water temperature ▶ prompt, on-site Chlorophyll 0 - 200 μg chlorophyll-a/l information on cyanobacteria Measurement principle spectral fluorometry Resolution 0.01 μg chlorophyll-a/l ▶ long-term operation Transmission 0 - 100%, photometry with minimal main- Photosynthetic activity 0-1 for > 3 μg chlorophyll-a/l tenance due to self- cleaning and anti- Cleaning function cleaning piston fouling Housing V4A steel/aluminium/coated steel plate Weight 19 kg ▶ calibrated using real algal cultures Dimensions (H x W x D) 420 x 600 x 200 mm Protection class IP 54 ▶ evaluation of the Voltage 110/240 V 50/60 Hz algal condition of the flow-through sample Performance 100 W Sample temperature / ▶ simple operation with environment 0 - 35 °C / 0 - 40 °C touchscreen PC Sample volume 30 ml Maintenance interval > 7 days Sample feed free pressureless inlet / peristaltic pump PC touchscreen PC 12” with Windows, 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