Nutrient Methods for Various Forms of Nitrogen and Phosphate using the Orion AQ3700 Multi-wavelength Colorimeter    

The Thermo Scientific Orion AQ3700 Colorimeter offers you a suite of nutrient measurement methods. Many of our methods may be used for regulatory reporting.

Increasing awareness of the harmful effects of excess nutrients in our waters has become an important environmental and health concern. As our global populations expand and increase land development, buffer zones where water would be cleansed by percolating or passing through soils are less common in many regions. The use of fertilizers and other lawn treatments increase the load of compounds which can interfere with the natural degradation process. Regulatory methods have been developed and accepted for data submission to the US and Regional EPA sections and other regulatory agencies in the United States and other countries around the world.

Algae blooms are more common in many lakes, rivers and streams as development can increase the run off. A continuous flow of nutrients into small bodies of water can severely alter the native aquatic plant and therefore animal life as well. Typically phosphorus is measured in fresh water as phosphate is easily measured with several tablet, powder and Orion tube test options. Our phosphate test versions allow for determination of the form which adds information as to the potential sources.

Nitrogen is the prevalent salt water nutrient concern. We offer several tests for nitrogen forms and matrices as well. You can measure ammonia, nitrite, nitrate and total nitrogen at different levels. Our new nitrate test is a quick reaction tube test that does not require digestion as the total nitrogen. We also offer a quick phosphate reaction tube as well. These tests, along with our long existing powder and tablet reagent tests allow you to better understand the form of the nutrients present. The AQ3700 methods are programmed into the meter and the meter prompts guide you to the result. As we release new tests, the meter can be updated with the RJ45 port on the meter.

Currently in some states, there is a trend to monitor the Nitrogen and Phosphorus being released into water bodies. This will allow waters where the effluent is being released to be studied for the loads levels and the forms of the nitrogen and phosphorus present. These monitoring trends will allow the source and quantity of the nutrients so determinations of ecosystem effect can be monitored and controlled to protect the environment.

Visit www.thermoscientific.com/WAI-Library for access to our AQ3700 brochure, test procedures and our list of methods accepted for reporting.

To place an order, please contact your local Thermo Scientific Orion products distributor or contact our Technical Service group at info.water@thermoscientific.com