The Australian NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment deploys multiple NEP-495 and fifteen NEP-595 turbidity probes in Kosciuszko National Park. The deployed turbidity sensors are used to indicate the presence of suspended sediment from interactions and to assess long-term seasonal suspended sediment regime at sites with very small and large amounts of horse activity.

A first study has clearly demonstrated that damage to riparian areas and degradation of in-stream water quality of subalpine streams at the sites sampled is unequivocally caused by horses, and that increasing levels of interaction between horses and streams result in increased turbidity both immediately and further downstream. The turbidity in horse-affected streams significantly exceeds national guideline values and poses a clear risk to instream biodiversity and ecological processes.

All results of this research, including the collected data of both the NEP-495 and NEP-595 turbidity probes, have been published in a paper. The data helps the NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment – the funder of this research – to guide management decisions relating to this national park.

Market leader
Observator has been the market leader in optical turbidity measurement with its own brand Analite since the 1990s. In 2015, the highly successful turbidity sensors NEP-395, NEP-495 and NEP-180 were followed up by the NEP-5000 family of sensors. The NEP-5000 uses state-of-the-art technology and is based on 30 years of experience in producing turbidity sensors. The NEP-5000 and its predecessors are used as OEM by several renowned manufacturers worldwide.

NEP-595
A NEP-5000 sensor is integrated in the NEP-595 turbidity probe. This all-in-one device monitors and logs turbidity in a sturdy self-contained package. It contains a configurable SDI-12 data logger and rechargeable battery designed for long-term operation, making it an ideal solution for data buoys and river monitoring applications. The system operates at depths up to 50 metres and can be ordered with temperature logging and solar power input as an option.

The NEP-595 turbidity probe is easy to set up and the integrated, configurable SDI-12 logger makes it possible to download the collected data or a selection. The logger allows users to change various operational parameters according to the application needs. For example:

• Wiping period
• Measurement sampling time
• Adding new parameters

The Windows application allows users to define their own functionality, without needing to write complicated scripts.

About Observator
As an ISO-9001-2015 certified company, we – from Observator – apply the highest quality standards to our products and systems. However, as a trend-setting developer and supplier in a wide variety of industries, we are also continuously pushing the boundaries. By developing new, innovative products and by offering uncompromised support, we are able to guarantee solutions that exceed all expectations. That’s what sets us apart.