YSI's HAB Monitoring Tools: From Sensors to Systems
YSI provides the most advanced water quality monitoring platforms in the world, especially the continuous-monitoring EXO platform and the spot-monitoring ProDSS platform. Both platforms support a suite of sensors for other water quality parameters like those listed above.
YSI's unique dual-channel pigment sensors, called total algae (TAL) sensors, were first introduced for EXO. The EXO TAL-PC sensor can detect both chlorophyll and phycocyanin, and the EXO TAL-PE sensor can detect both chlorophyll and phycoerythrin. Due to high demand for these same sensors in a more mobile sampling context, in 2018 we added the ProDSS TAL-PC and ProDSS TAL-PE sensors.
As a general rule, the TAL-PC sensors are for freshwater monitoring, and the TAL-PE sensors are for saltwater. However that is not an abosulte rule, and in this blog about the Top 5 HAB Monitoring Questions we explain why.
These sensors are a significant tool for early detection because they are placed right in the water-there is no sample collection, no extraction, and no lab processing to obtain readings in real time.
Once either the TAL-PC or TAL-PE sensor is selected, the combinations of sensors, sondes and systems are almost endless. to make it easier to get started, YSI has designed HAB Monitoring Sonde Packages shown below. Similar packages can be adapted for the ProDSS platform, though it should be noted that the ProDSS cannot support NitraLED or fDOM.
Peope incorporate these sonde packages into standalone monitoring stations and into buoys with data telemetry into HydroSphere, so they have 24/7 visibility of water quality. In HydroSphere they can even set alerts and notifications when specific parameter reach thresholds that are suggestive of conditions favoring harmful algal blooms. The Photosynthesis sonde packages can also be incorporated into vertical profiling systems and most recently, remote or autonomous vehicles. The Eutrophication Sonde packages are being tested in these systems, since the NitraLED sensor is still very new.
One example of a complete solution that can be deployed very rapidly for HAB monitoring is YSI's DB600 HAB Monitoring solution. This system can be put together and deployed by one person, and pre-configured systems make them easy to select.
Below the description of the HAB Monitoring Sonde Packages, there is a link to a guided questionnaire that will help a YSI associate point you directly to the right HAB monitoring solution for your needs.