University of South Florida

Sri International

Robert Howard Byrne

David P Fries

Eric Kaltenbacher

Xuewu Liu

Andres M Cardenas-Valencia

Melynda C Calves

Robert Timothy Short

Eric Toby Steimle

Robert Douglas Waterbury

Charles W Jones

R Timothy Short

Ryan J Bell

Strawn K Toler

Sean McElligott

Joseph R Kolesar

Randy Russell

Bram Leader

John J Kelly

Disclosed herein are methods for measuring the ionic strengths of the natural water sources. Also disclosed herein are systems used to measure an ionic strength of the natural water sources. More specifically disclosed herein are methods and systems utilizing spectroscopic pH measurements and calculations of the ionic strength as a function of the measured pH.

Methods and systems for determining an ionic strength of a dilute aqueous solution

In one embodiment, determining carbon system parameters of water includes measuring the pH of a first subsample of the water using a spectrophotometer, adding nitric acid as a titrant to a second subsample of the water to obtain a titrated subsample, measuring a concentration of added nitric acid in the titrated subsample using a spectrophotometer, measuring the pH of the titrated subsample using a spectrophotometer, and calculating one or more unknown carbon system parameters using the pH of the first subsample, the pH of the titrated subsample, and the concentration of added nitric acid of the titrated subsample.

Systems and methods for determining carbon system parameters of water

A system and method for the substantially continuous measurement of the total alkalinity of a sample solution, which includes, equilibrating a sample solution and a gas at a chosen COfugacity across a gas permeable membrane, measuring the equilibrium pH of the equilibrated solution in an optical cell using a spectrophotometric pH indicator and calculating the total alkalinity of the solution from the equilibrium pH measurement of the solution and a known partial pressure of CO.

Continuous acid-free measurements of total alkalinity

The present invention relates generally a method and apparatus for measuring multiple parameters in-situ in a sample collected from an environmental system via a single device. In one embodiment, the method includes collecting the sample from said environmental system via the single device, measuring a first parameter of the sample in-situ via the single device, adding a reagent tot the sample within the single device to create a reagent infused sample and measuring a second parameter of the sample in-situ via the single device using the reagent infused sample.

Method and apparatus for measuring multiple parameters in-situ of a sample collected from environmental systems

Provided is a flow-through CO2 system for simultaneously measuring surface seawater pH, carbon dioxide fugacity (fCO2), and total dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC). All measurements are based on spectrophotometric determinations of solution pH at multiple wavelengths using sulfonephthalein indicators.

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A device for the precise and accurate potentiometric pH measurements in situ. Embodiments of a potentiometric device according to the invention consist of one or more glass pH-sensitive electrodes connected to a potentiometer. A key feature of the device is that, rather than being calibrated conventionally with buffers, it can be calibrated with an in situ device that measures pH spectrophotometrically. Spectrophotometric pH measurements obtained via sulfonephthalein absorbance measurements are inherently calibrated (do not require buffers). Thus, devices according to the invention allow for continuous potentiometric pH measurements with occasional spectrophotometric calibrations. The spectrophotometric calibration device consists of a spectrophotometer with associated pumps for combining a sulfonephthalein pH indicator with the aqueous medium whose pH is to be measured. The device will record potentiometric pH measurements for an extended period of time until the spectrophotometric device is autonomously activated for another calibration. In this manner precise and accurate pH measurements can be obtained continuously in the environment, and the low energy expenditure of the potentiometric device provides excellent endurance. Also provided is a method and associated devices for spectrophotometrically determining the salinity of an aqueous medium.

Device for in situ calibrated potentiometric pH measurements

A system and associated methodology to directly measure the concentration of carbonate ions in seawater by ultraviolet absorbance spectroscopy. Metal ions are added to seawater and the absorbance spectra of the added ions are measured in the ultraviolet. The spectral absorbance (light attenuation) of ions such as divalent lead or copper in seawater is predominantly determined by the carbonate ion content of seawater. Through a knowledge of (1) the strength of association between carbonate and either divalent lead or divalent copper and (2) the spectral characteristics of these cations in seawater (e.g., Pbcomplexed solely as PbCOand Pbcomplexed solely in the form of chloride complexes), it is possible to directly determine seawater carbonate ion concentrations from absorbance measurements at a variety of wavelengths in the ultraviolet. Using such procedures, carbonate ion concentrations can be directly measured, rather than calculated from other COsystem parameters such as pH and total dissolved inorganic carbon. Measurements of carbonate ion concentrations, and measurements of solution pH that also involve spectrophotometric procedures, will allow both types of measurements in a single, small, robust instrument. Furthermore, via simple thermodynamic calculations, conjugate measurements of carbonate and pH can then be used to calculate all carbon system parameters of interest, including the total concentration of dissolved inorganic carbon in seawater.

Sensor for direct measurement of carbonate ions in seawater

Method of performing in situ calibrated potentiometric pH measurements

A system and method for spectrophotometrically measuring the total alkalinity of a liquid sample. In a particular aspect, the method involves equilibration of a COgas with a sample solution across the permeable walls of a Teflon AF 2400 liquid core waveguide. The waveguide acts as both an equilibration membrane and an optical cell in which spectrophotometric pH measurements are obtained via measurements of absorbance ratios.

System and method for spectrophotometric measurement of total alkalinity using a liquid core waveguide

The present invention relates to instruments used to analyze materials with light-absorbing properties and their methods of use. More specifically, the invention relates to the use of adjustable optical filters whereby light-absorption can be measured in more detail and with greater variables than what is currently known in the art.

Variable exposure rotary spectrometer and method of use

An apparatus and method are herein disclosed which utilize a ratio based on a varied angle of incidence of light on an optical fiber analysis system. By calculating the ration of light incident on the sample element, variations in the system parameters which can provide deleterious effects are obviated.

Method and apparatus for continuous measurement of the refractive index of fluid

A portable mass spectrometer for underwater use includes a watertight case having an inlet and means for transforming an analyte gas molecule from a solution phase into a gas phase positioned within the case. Means for directing a fluid to the transforming means from the inlet and means for analyzing the gas-phase analyte molecule to determine an identity thereof are also positioned within the case.

Growing community of inventors

St. Petersburg, FL, United States of America

Robert Howard Byrne