On Monday 8 June, Observator participated as a speaker in the WaterSNIP webinar of the RIVM. WaterSNIP stands for Water Sensors Nutrients Innovation Program. Measuring nitrate with the help of sensors was also the subject of this webinar. Rob Beun, Observator’s hydro specialist, spoke about the auto-analyser technique and the associated capabilities of the Systea WIZ probe.

The WIZ probe is a kind of ‘mini-lab’ with which the concentration of a large number of substances can be measured fully automatically in the field. Substances such as: nitrate, nitrite, ammonia and phosphate. Nitrogen (total), phosphorus (total) and various other compounds can also be measured. The WIZ is suitable for both freshwater and saltwater. Curious?

Accurate measurement of nutrients is very important, but requires high-quality measuring equipment. In addition to Systea’s auto-analyser technique, Observator offers instruments from TriOS and Xylem/YSI.

• UV-vis method
  • TriOS NICO Sensor
  • TriOS OPUS Sensor
• ISE method
  • YSI EXO-series Multiparameter Sonde
  • YSI ProDSS Multiparameter Handheld
  • YSI ProSwap Digital Water Quality Meter

Webinar
In addition to the auto-analyser technique, the webinar also discussed the ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) method and the Ion Selective Electrode (ISE) method. The presentations of Observator, microLAN and Eijkelkamp contribute to the working document “Equalising Water Quality Sensors”, and form the basis for a future measuring campaign with nitrate sensors on the measuring pontoon of Rijkswaterstaat (the Dutch Highways and Waterways Agency).

About WaterSNIP
WaterSNIP stands for Water Sensors Nutrients Innovation Program. It is an innovation program of the so called LMM, a national monitoring network related to the effects of the manure policy. At the moment, thousands of chemical analyses are performed every year on samples taken in the field. At the same time, we are continuously facing new technological developments and there are increasing opportunities to automatically measure the environmental quality with sensors.

WaterSNIP is a four-year program (2019 – 2022). During this period, the program investigates how sensors and other innovations can contribute to monitoring the water quality in the LMM. This makes the LMM future-proof.

The RIVM – National Institute for Public Health and the Environment – is the initiator of WaterSNIP, but the emphasis is on cooperation with other parties, including Observator.

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.