Performance of a handheld chlorophyll-a fluorometer: Potential use for rapid algae monitoring
Affiliation
School of Natural Resources and the Environment, University of ArizonaSchool of Natural Resources and the Environment, University of Arizona
Department of Environmental Science, University of Arizona
Issue Date
2021
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MDPI AGCitation
Hamdhani, H., Eppehimer, D. E., Walker, D., & Bogan, M. T. (2021). Performance of a handheld chlorophyll-a fluorometer: Potential use for rapid algae monitoring. Water (Switzerland), 13(10).Journal
Water (Switzerland)Rights
Copyright © 2021 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).Collection Information
This item from the UA Faculty Publications collection is made available by the University of Arizona with support from the University of Arizona Libraries. If you have questions, please contact us at repository@u.library.arizona.edu.Abstract
Chlorophyll-a measurements are an important factor in the water quality monitoring of surface waters, especially for determining the trophic status and ecosystem management. However, a collection of field samples for extractive analysis in a laboratory may not fully represent the field conditions. Handheld fluorometers that can measure chlorophyll-a in situ are available, but their performance in waters with a variety of potential light-interfering substances has not yet been tested. We tested a handheld fluorometer for sensitivity to ambient light and turbidity and compared these findings with EPA Method 445.0 using water samples obtained from two urban lakes in Tucson, Arizona, USA. Our results suggested that the probe was not sensitive to ambient light and performed well at low chlorophyll-a concentrations (<25 µg/L) across a range of turbidity levels (50–70 NTU). However, the performance was lower when the chlorophyll-a concentrations were >25 µg/L and turbidity levels were <50 NTU. To account for this discrepancy, we developed a calibration equation to use for this handheld fluorometer when field monitoring for potential harmful algal blooms in water bodies. © 2021 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.Note
Open access journalISSN
2073-4441Version
Final published versionae974a485f413a2113503eed53cd6c53
10.3390/w13101409
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Except where otherwise noted, this item's license is described as Copyright © 2021 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).