Water pollution occurs when harmful substances such as microorganisms or chemicals contaminate a body of water. Pollution can come from many sources, with agriculture (through the excessive use of pesticides and fertilizers) and water companies (through untreated sewage) being the biggest contributors. Here we will outline some of the challenges of pollutant monitoring in rivers and how the portable quadrupole analyzer can be a beneficial instrument in this process.
Why is Pollutant Monitoring in Rivers Important?
High-quality water is the key to human survival and the survival of the environment. Water contamination threatens the life cycles of wildlife and pollutants can enter the human body through animal products. The average American use 82 gallons of water a day. Increased pollution leads to more treatment of this water, increasing overall prices
Pollutant monitoring is a crucial part of environmental studies. Keeping track of the pollutants in rivers requires regular testing and a realistic understanding of current conditions. Analyzers can be used to measure volatile concentrations at sub ppb levels and monitor pollution by offering accurate insight into river pollution levels.
Dissolved Gases in Rivers
Gas analyzers are employed to monitor the presence and concentrations of gas contaminants in surface water. Gas pollutant monitoring in this manner allows scientists to determine the levels of harmful pollutants that are present in rivers.
Using the pQA for Pollutant Monitoring
The pQA Portable Quadrupole Analyzer is a Mass Spectrometer System configured for environmental measurements in the field.
The system combines the real-time quantitative analysis of dissolved gases and vapors in a mobile case running from a 12- or 24-volt electrical supply. This innovative and compact packaging allows the pQA to be taken into the field for in situ measurements, providing a distinct advantage in time and efficiency over traditional analysis methods.
Traditionally, pollutant monitoring in rivers uses a range of chemical, physical, and microbiological techniques. Many of these techniques require specialized laboratories that have sophisticated and costly scientific equipment. This equipment also requires highly qualified personnel to operate them which can result in higher costs.
The pQA is capable of sub-ppb level analysis and can be used for monitoring pollutant particles in rivers. With a selection of inlet options, the pQA covers a wide variety of applications from flowing water applications using the circular membrane carrier inlet, to soil and sludge analysis using the dissolved species probe.