EurOCEAN 2000 - Vlaams Instituut voor de Zee

MANUFACTURE OF CALIBRATION SOLUTION:
The nature of marine and ocean water composition has been researched and an array of
calibration solutions have been formulated and tested in terms of primary ion concentration.
These solutions and analytical test methods are appropriate to them have been validated using
certified reference so that an unbroken chain of traceability with regard to chemical
measurement is conferred on the multi-sensoric array in terms the chemical calibrants to which
they will be subject in use.
DESIGN AND MANUFACTURE OF A PROTOTYPE CIRCUIT
BOARD:
A prototype circuit board capable of taking sensor signals, performing A/D conversion,
including an EEPROM, analogue and digital inputs and outputs has now been designed. This
will be the heart of the signal processing and control function within the sonde and in
conjunction with a transponder unit will enable communication to shore and interface with a
personal computer for monitoring and control purposes.
DEVELOPMENT OF SOFTWARE :
Software has been developed for the expression of raw signal data (in
millivolts) as ion concentration (pX). There is an interface between raw data
signal transmissions and control command and integrational date with
graphical user interface has been achieved using commercially available front
end software (Intellution TM Fix 32 which is automation software). The
software allows for trends to be graphed, levels to be analysed, and computed
decisions to activate control hardware and to enable report functions.
CONCLUSION
Of the 10 major project milestones given, at this mid term stage of the project, 5 of these
milestones have been reached and this is as planned for the project. The most significant
technical innovation and highest element of technical risk - the development of ion selective
electrodes which go beyond the state of the art and are capable of direct measurement of
nitrogen components in marine waters has been delivered. Reference electrodes suitable for
use with these ion selective electrodes, designed specifically for long term stability in the
presence of marine matrices have been delivered with the required technical characteristics. In
order to ensure the quality of the analytical measurements derived from these sensors,
appropriate chemical calibration materials of know ion content have been delivered which
additionally feature the necessary validation and traceability to international units of measure
for the appropriate analyte concentrations.
The electronic hardware and the associated control, reporting, measurement and display
software have been delivered. The telemetry link between the remote sonde and the host PC
has substantially been designed but in the light of current developments in GSM technology
this is still being developed and is not fully delivered. The stage has therefore been set for the
remaining parts of the project which should now flow as anticipated and these would include
the development of the software to include predictive/expert element, mechanical engineering
of the sonde housing an associated hydraulics, integration of electronics and of the multi
sensoric array as well as the extensive plan of required function testing and field trials.
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