EurOCEAN 2000 - Vlaams Instituut voor de Zee

in-situ (Nitrate, Nitrite, Ammonia, Ammonium, pH, salinity, temperature and dissolved
oxygen). The device will take the form of an array of individual sensors which will be
configured into a sonde and placed at the site or various sites in areas of marine waters where
fish farming is being engaged in.
Signals from the various sensors will be sent by telemetry to shore. The various levels of
analyte will be recorded and computed into total Nitrogen. The signal transmitted to shore will
be recorded and used to measure various levels of Nitrogen, forecast pollution trends, toxicity,
etc., and a signal may then be sent back to the measuring site to initiate the denitification
control or other remedial action where appropriate.
The first real time monitoring device of total nitrogen in-situ in marine waters with consequent
dramatic ability to predict high levels of Pollution/Eutrophication, safety of water, suitability
for bathing, risk to health of farmed fish and of fish in the wild state.
• 90% cost reduction compared to laboratory testing.
• Detailed provision of nitrogen levels for marine science studies.
• Infinitely improved capability to farm a wide range of mature fish species and new
species
• Major business opportunity for more start up SME’s in fish farming.
• Better utilisation of food/energy conversion
• Better knowledge of growth requirements of larva, new species and shell fish.
SOCIAL OBJECTIVES:
Due to the reduced requirement for sampling, substantial improvement of safety in the work
place for persons involved in fish farming or other marine occupations. Access to and ease of
handling of technology for a non scientific segment of the community.
• Substantial ease of mind for mariculturalist where they can check the levels of nitrogen
on their PC at a glance rather than having to worry about detrimental toxicity defects to
fish stocks.
• Ability to forecast pollution levels for amenity professionals, bathers and professional or
hobbyiest fishermen.
• Substantial increase in employment for the SME’s involved in the consortium (a forecast
of at least 100 extra jobs) with consequent increase in turnover and profitability and
market penetration.
PROJECT METHOLOGY:
Ion selective electrodes (ISE’s) of optimal performance based upon published construction
principles and composition for measurements of Nitrate, Nitrite Ammonia and ammonium
have either been assembled or bought from commercially available sources where these are
representative of the current state of the art and have been tested for a required function in
marine matrices.
THE MEASURING PROGRAM FOR THE NITRATE ION SELECTIVE
ELECTRODES (ISE) IS AS FOLLOWS:
Nitrate Ion selective electrodes from Metrohm, Orion and Mettler as well as those
manufactured by Reagecon, were included in the overall testing. Measurements were carried
out on the Nitrate Ion selective electrodes in Nitrate solutions where the concentration was
varied from 0.0001 M/L up to 0.1M/L at two constant temperatures (10 & 20 o C) and constant
pH (pH 8.4 for ocean water). The temperatures of 10 and 20 o C were chosen because they
bracket the average temperature of sea water.
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