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Aquaread

Phycoerythrin Electrode

The Aquaread® Optical Phycoerythrin Electrode is a highly sensitive digital sensor designed to detect and monitor marine cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) concentrations in situ. Operating via specialized sub-surface fluorescence, the sensor isolates the unique phycoerythrin accessory pigments found within live marine algal cells by emitting a targeted excitation beam of green light at 525 nm. The electrode then captures the resulting return emissions within a filtered 565 nm to 600 nm window, outputting real-time biomass tracking data before an algal bloom becomes visible to the naked eye.
What this electrode offers over universal chlorophyll or freshwater phycocyanin sensors is its absolute specificity toward saltwater and estuarine cyanobacteria strains. Outfitted with scratch-resistant, optically dense sapphire lenses instead of standard commercial plastics, it mitigates optical drifting caused by sediment particles in turbulent coastal waters. Active biofouling prevention is available as an option depending on the chosen configuration; while standard deployments on AP-LITE, AP-2000, and AP-5000 multi-parameter probes utilize passive protective shrouds for grab sampling, the electrode interfaces natively with the heavy-duty motorized central cleaning wipers on AP-6000 and AP-7000 platforms for extended, unattended marine monitoring.

Key Features

  • Marine Cyanobacteria Optimisation: Emits at a 525 nm excitation wavelength to isolate phycoerythrin pigments, eliminating false biomass readings caused by typical green algae or background organic matter.
  • Dual Auto-Ranging Precision: Dynamically shifts sensitivity scales from 0.0 to 99.9 mµg/L up to a high-capacity 500 mµg/L upper threshold to track early-stage cell growth alongside dense toxic blooms.
  • Ultra-Hard Sapphire Optics: Fitted with rugged sapphire windows that shield the internal transmitter and receiver electronics from micro-abrasions in high-energy coastal zones or turbulent estuarine networks.
  • Flexible Biofouling Profiles: Operates as a static, low-maintenance optical sensor on handheld probes or integrates directly with the automated mechanical central wipers of advanced AP-6000 and AP-7000 platforms.Universal Aux Port Adaptability: Screws directly into the standard auxiliary optical ports of all modular Aquaprobes, preventing the need for single-parameter monitoring hardware or extra surface cabling.

Applications

  • Coastal Algal Bloom Surveillance: Providing real-time warning logs for marine cyanobacteria spikes to safeguard coastal ecologies and public beaches.
  • Estuarine Health Tracking: Monitoring dynamic nutrient loading patterns where rivers meet the sea to capture early indicators of eutrophication.
  • Aquaculture Concession Safeguarding: Supplying continuous biomass tracking around marine finfish and shellfish farms to alert operators of toxic bloom threats.
  • Oceanographic Ecosystem Research: Gathering high-resolution spatial and vertical profiles of phycoerythrin densities within layered or stratified marine columns.
LITE-BGA-PE

LITE-BGA-PE

AP-LITE Phycoerythrin Electrode. Designed for Blue Green Algae Monitoring in Marine Water. Range 0-200.000 cells/mL. Minimum Level of Detection 400 cells/mL

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2000-BGA-PE

2000-BGA-PE

AP-2000 Phycoerythrin Electrode. Designed for Blue Green Algae Monitoring in Marine Water. Range 0-200.000 cells/mL. Minimum Level of Detection 400 cells/mL.

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7000-BGA-PE

7000-BGA-PE

AP-7000 Phycoerythrin Electrode. Designed for Blue Green Algae Monitoring in Marine Water. Range 0-200.000 cells/mL. Minimum Level of Detection 400 cells/mL.

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5000-BGA-PE

5000-BGA-PE

AP-5000 Phycoerythrin Electrode. Designed for Blue Green Algae Monitoring in Marine Water. Range 0-200.000 cells/mL. Minimum Level of Detection 400 cells/mL.

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