Optical phytoplankton discriminator
AssigneeMote Marine Laboratory
InventorsGary Kirkpatrick, James Hillier
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An apparatus and method for analyzing liquid samples employs first and second bidirectional ports that permit liquids to be introduced to first and second liquid waveguide capillary cells at the same time. The direction of liquid flow through the apparatus and roles of components may be reversed to prevent or overcome obstruction by particulates and other debris. The apparatus and method can detect and map colored dissolved organic matter and can detect, discriminate and map algal species or algal blooms including red tide in an automated, unattended manner within large aquatic systems.
Claims20
An apparatus for analyzing liquid samples, the apparatus comprising:
- (a) first and second bidirectional ports for providing liquid samples to the apparatus and discharging liquid samples from the apparatus,
- (b) first and second liquid waveguide capillary cells in fluid communication with the first and second ports and arranged to analyze different liquid samples at the same time,
- (c) at least one light source and at least one spectrometer in optical communication with the first and second cells, and
- (a) a bidirectional pump or control arranged to flow samples in alternate directions through the first and second ports.
A method for analyzing liquid samples comprising:
- (a) obtaining one or more liquid samples through a first bidirectional port,
- (b) flowing the sample(s) into two or more liquid waveguide capillary cells,
- (c) spectroscopically analyzing the contents of the cells,
- (d) discharging the sample(s) through a second bidirectional port,
- (e) reversing the sample flow direction through the first and second ports, and
- (f) repeating steps (b) and (c) using such reversed sample flow.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.