CORDIS provides links to public deliverables and publications of HORIZON projects.
Links to deliverables and publications from FP7 projects, as well as links to some specific result types such as dataset and software, are dynamically retrieved from OpenAIRE .
Deliverables
Summary:
The voltammetric probe for in situ measurements in the water column has been named the Voltammetric In Situ Profiling System (VIP System).
Its development has involved:
- Gel integrated microsensor arrays with 100 interconnected microelectrodes built using thin-film and photolithographic technologies;
- A submersible probe based on advanced microprocessor and telemetric technologies; and
- Hardware, firmware and software for the control of the whole system, i.e. data transmission and acquisition, data processing and maintenance operations. The VIP System has been thoroughly tested in the laboratory and in field conditions (sea and freshwaters).
All the field tests performed have shown that the VIP System is reliable for real-time in situ measurements in natural waters.
In particular:
- Temperature variation effects can be easily corrected;
- Voltammetric signals are independent of pressure;
- The protective gel layer effectively minimizes fouling problems; and
- The VIP System has speculation capabilities, which provides useful information on biogeochemical cycles.
The VIP System is now commercialised by Idronaut. In its present state, it can be used for in-situ measurements and speciation of Cu(II), Pb(II), Cd(II) Zn(II) (ppt level) as well as Mn(II), Fe(II), S(-II) (ppb level) down to 500 m depth using either Square Wave Anodic Stripping Voltammetry (SWASV) or Square Wave Cathodic Sweep Voltammetry (SWCSV).
Summary:
The voltammetric system for in situ measurements at the sediment-water interface has been named the Sediment-water Interface Voltammetric In situ Profiling System (SIVIP System).
Its development has involved:
- A gel integrated microsensor arrays with 64 individually addressable lines, using thin-film and photolithographic technologies, allowing real-time vertical concentration measurements over a total distance of 4 cm with a resolution down to 200 m;
- A voltametric probe based on powerful double multiplexing system and single potentiostat allowing simultaneous measurement over the 64 sensor lines;
- A submersible microprofiler; and
- Hardware, firmware and software for control of the whole system. Systematic laboratory tests have been performed to characterize and optimise the SIVIP system.
The results have shown that:
- The behaviour of the individually addressable microsensor is in accordance with theory;
- Good reproducibility and reliability, with standard derivations of max 10%, are observed for simultaneous measurements over the 64 sensor lines;
- Multi-element analysis can be performed simultaneously over the 64 sensor lines at the ppt level for Cu(II), Pb(II), Cd(II) and Zn(II).
Systematic laboratory tests in sediment cores are now underway to define the optimum analytical conditions for in situ, real-time profiling of trace metals as well as Mn(II), Fe(II), S(-II) at the sediment-water interface.
Exploitable results
In this project, two systems have been built for the autonomous measurement of trace metal concentration in the water column and at the water-sediment interface. The two systems are based on voltammetric microelectrode arrays, so that in the two cases, the development of the sensor and voltammeter have been similar. The characteristics and innovative aspects of the two systems are the following.
The voltammetric probe for the water column is usable in the water column down to 500 m, and controlled either by an operator from a ship, or automatically by computer, when attached to a buoy. The system has an autonomy of 1-2 weeks, and is able to transmit automatically the data to the land station by radio, telephone or satellite communication. It is programmable to determine concentration profiles between 0 and 500m routinely, in conditions chosen by the user (time period, depth resolution, etc).
The water-sediment interface microprofiler has been built to determine concentration profiles of lead, cadmium and manganese ions (possibly also copper and iron (II) ions) at the water-sediment interface, with submillimetre resolution. Microelectrode arrays with antifouling gel, similar to those for the water column are used, but with individually addressable electrodes. Measurements are possible down to 6000m. Voltammetric data acquisition and computer control of the probe at depth are possible. Communication and control of the probe are also possible either by cable (at shallow depths) or by acoustic telemetry.
The two systems are the first existing probes for the determination in situ, in real time, of trace metal concentration in the water column and at the water-sediment interface. They are based on a number of advanced technologies, and include several scientific and analytical innovative aspects.
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