pH Meter

A pH meter is a precise instrument that weighs the hydrogen-ion movement in water-based

Methodology :
The pH meter mainly works on the assumption that the interface between two liquids produces
an electric potential that can be determined. The working principle of the pH meter relies on the
exchange of ions from the liquid sample through the glass membrane to the inner solution of a
glass electrode. The porosity of the glass membrane decreases with constant use, which reduces
the probe's performance.

It detects the difference in voltage between the two electrodes i.e. glass electrode and reference
electrode. When both electrodes are present, the electrode is referred to as a combination
electrode, and it is placed into the solution to be tested.

These two electrodes are immersed in a solution, and after that, the H+ ions in the test solution
exchange for other positively charged ions present on the glass ball. So there is an action
between these plus ions of the solution and the H+ ions or positively charged ions present on the
glass bulb.

The difference in electric potential between the two electrodes is detected by the amplifier. The
pH unit is the difference between these potentials. The difference in electric potential between
the two electrodes is detected by the amplifier. The difference of this potential is known as the
pH unit.

Usage :
 In agriculture industries, it is used to measure the pH of soil.
 It is also used to measure water quality for municipal water supplies, swimming pools.
 In many chemical and pharmaceutical industries, it is used to measure the pH value of solutions.
 pH Meter is additionally employed in the Food industry particularly for dairy products like
cheese, curds, yogurts, etc.
 It becomes a vital circumstance in the making of detergents.

Precautions :
 Touch the electrode with responsibility- it is breakable!
 Store the electrode always in immersed condition within the solution approved by the company
or neutral solution of KCl (3M-4M).
 Always maintain the inner level of filling liquid beyond the level of measured solution.
 Load electrode (the flowing type) by exact filling solution (as suggested by manufacturer –
normally KCl solution, 3M to saturated) to not let it dry inside.
  You may store the electrodes as dry if they are not used for a long period of time to prevent
aging. The Aging only happens when the electrode is moist. Don’t do it with gel electrodes –
certain must be put in a strong solution of KCl only.
 If the electrodes are dried soak them at least 24 hours before using.
 Clean the electrodes immediately when you are using a solution that contains substances that
able to plug the junction or stick to the glass bubble.
 Avoid immersing electrodes in solvents that can dissolve glass such as hydrofluroic acid (or
acidified fluroide solution), concentrated alkalies.
 Avoid immersing electrodes within a dehydrating solution such as ethanol, sulfuric acid, etc.
 Avoid rub or wipe electrode bulb.
 Don’t clean the electrodes with organic solvents.

Ekman dredge
a dredge that has opposable jaws operated by a messenger traveling down a cable to release a spring
catch and that is used in ecology for sampling the bottom of a body of water
Methodology :
The Ekman Dredge (or Ekman Grab) is used to sample the bottom sediments and macro-invertebrates in
aqueous environments. It is ideal for soft, unconsolidated substrates such as sand, silt, or soft clay (not
packed clay). The Ekman Dredge has hinged doors on top that open as the dredge is lowered to allow
water to flow through the apparatus such that bottom disturbance is minimized. The spring-loaded jaws
on the bottom of the dredge snap shut to prevent a wash-out sample.
Usage:
The Ekman Dredge is used to sample the bottom sediments and fauna of rivers, lakes, estuaries, and
coastal areas. . It is ideal for soft, unconsolidated substrates such as sand, silt, or soft clay (not packed
clay).

Precautions :
Plankton net:
A Plankton net is equipment used for collecting samples of plankton in standing bodies of water.
Methodology :
The upper part of a plankton net consisting of towing line connected to three-point bridle,
which are responsible for holding the plankton net. The towing line and bridle is the upper part
of a plankton net and used to hold it. The towing lines connected to the triangle bridles are made
of nylon rope and can be adjust to a level suitable for the user. The nylon mesh net is the middle
part of the plankton net and is used to filter the plankton in the water sample in accordance with
the size of the mesh. In addition, its funnel shape makes it possible to effectively capture
plankton of various sizes.[2] There are various mesh sizes for nets, depending on the target
microorganism to be collected and the condition of the water body. The narrower the mesh size,
the smaller the plankton in the water sample.
For example, in order to obtain small invertebrates measuring 50 to 1500 μm, a net mesh size
between 25 and 50 μm diameter should be selected, which is sufficient to effectively filter only
the target organism.[3] However, in a eutrophic water condition, a plankton net with a mesh larger
than 100 μm should be chosen to avoid clogging the net.
 The cod end is located in the lower part of the plankton net at the end of the funnel. It has a
collecting cylinder and a valve for opening and closing it.
Usage :
The plankton net can be used for both vertical and horizontal sampling. It allows researchers to
analyse plankton both quantitatively (cell density, cell colony or biomass) and qualitatively (e.g.
Chlorophyll-a as a primary production of phytoplankton) in water samples from the
environment.
Precautions :

Before collecting the plankton, the net should be rinsed with the sample water. The user should ensure
that the cod end is completely closed by turning the valve into a vertical position.

Secchi disk :

A Secchi disk is an 8-inch (20 cm) disk with alternating black and white quadrants used to gauge the
transparency of water by measuring the depth.

Methodology :

1. Put down the Secchi disk into the water on the shady side of the boat.  Keep lowering the disk
slowly until it disappears.  Note the depth on the cord.
2. Slowly pull the disk up until you see it again.  Note the depth on the cord.
3. Average the 2 depths to the nearest half-foot mark on the cord.
4. Record the average depth on the Secchi data sheet along with the date and time of the reading.
Usage:
A secchi disc is used to measure the turbidity of the water. Attached to a rope, the disc is lowered
into the water from a research vessel or from the shore until it is no longer visible. This 'Secchi
depth' is then used as a measure of the water turbidity.

Precaution :
Check to make sure that the Secchi disk is securely attached to the measured line. Lean over the
side of the boat and lower the Secchi disk into the water, keeping back toward the sun to block
glare. Lower the disk until it disappears from view.
Salinity meter

Salinity Meters are devices that are used to measure the amount of salt present in a substance.
Methodology :
The most common way for salinity levels to be measured is through electrical conductivity.
Electrical conductivity is the measure of the concentration of ions present within a substance or
sample.
You can calculate the ions present within a sample by the substance’s ability to transmit an
electrical current over a defined area.Measurement involves the transfer of a current between two
electrodes immersed in the substance you wish to test. The more ions present, the more
conductive the substance and the higher the electrical conductivity reading will be, the fewer
ions present, the less conductive the substance will be.
The measurement unit for electrical conductivity is called Siemens (S). The units display Milli
Siemens per centimetre mS/cm or Micro Siemens per cm μS/cm.
The salinity meter’s software will produce a salinity measurement from the electrical
conductivity reading by automatically apply a conversion factor. This factor is usually 0.5;
however, check device specifications the specific conversion factor used. The conversion factor
will take the electrical conductivity measurement and convert it to an estimated salinity
measurement, which is displayed in parts per thousand(ppt), parts per million (ppm), grams per
litre (g/L) or milligrams per litre (mg/L).

Usage :
They are useful in a wide range of applications from testing salinity levels in water used for
agriculture, drinking water, wastewater, and for testing the water in home pools and spas.
Precaution :
The water is a good conductor of electricity and hence it's always advised not to touch electrical
appliances with wet hands.

Multiparameter :

Instrument that used to measure more than one electrochemical parameter; may include methods
for pH, conductivity, temperature, ion-specific concentrations, dissolved oxygen, turbidity,
resistivity, mV, TDS, salinity, and barometric pressure is called multiparameter.
Methodology :
1. To get started we have to attach the probe cable to the bottom at the multiperameter we have
to screw it tightly.
2. Water proof easily replaceable sensors stainless steel tip less than 2 degree in diameter.
3.It has calibration breaks included
4.Cable available in variety of length.
From the main menu select quick caulibration.Then insert the probe into the quick calibration.
The meter will now calibrate the conductivity senses confirm when ready appears. Through this
process we can measure pH, DO, TDS, BOD, COD and so on.

Usage :
Measure pH, ion concentration, conductivity, dissolved oxygen, and temperature with a single,
powerful meter. multiparameter is designed to increase your productivity in the lab and in the
field.
Precaution :
Precaution:
1.First of all, we have to be careful while using the machine
2.We have to attach the probe tightly
3.we have to screw the probe tightly.
4.Use small amount of silicon greole.
5.We have to insert the sensor carefully