C-FLUOR Submersible Probe
998-2123 Rev. 1.0 Page 8
3. Measurements with the C-FLUOR
3.1 Introduction
The following information will describe how to:
oDetermine a Different Offset –ONLY REQUIRED IF CHANGING FACTORY
OFFSET
oDetermine a Different Calibration Coefficient–ONLY REQUIRED IF
CHANGING FACTORY CALIBRATION
oPerform C-FLUOR Measurements
Note: To make accurate and repeatable measurements it is important to
keep the probe clean; see Section 4.1 for information regarding
maintenance.
C-FLUOR Probes output a voltage signal that is proportional to the fluorophore
of interest. Every C-FLUOR is factory calibrated and delivered with a certificate
that contains factory calibration values for that specific probe; the certificate also
contains an equation that can be used with the calibration values to convert C-
FLUOR’s voltage signal to concentration estimates for the specified fluorophore
of interest.
For increased accuracy when estimating fluorophore concentrations you can
create user-defined calibration values. Sections 3.2 and 3.2 explain how to
derive your own calibration values for your environment or fluorophore of
interest. If you want to use the factory calibration, skip to Section 3.4.
3.2 Determine a Different Offset
C-FLUOR’s Factory Offset is measured using ultra-pure water. When working in
an environment where background fluorescence values are greater than the
factory measured Offset, you may want to consider using an Offset that is more
suited for your water type. To determine an Offset for your water type:
1) Collect a sample of water that represents the water type you will be
measuring.
2) Remove the fluorophore of interest from that water sample. For example, for
in vivo chlorophyll you would filter the water sample through a GF/F or like
filter to remove all algal cells from the sample.
3) Once the fluorophore of interest has been removed from the water sample,
measure that sample using the C-FLUOR and record the voltage response.
4) Your Offset will be equal to that voltage response so all voltage
measurements for that water type should have this Offset subtracted.
3.3 Determine a Different Calibration Coefficient
The Calibration Coefficient stated on the calibration certificate is a correlation
between a standard of known concentration and the Offset-corrected response
for that standard. To create your own calibration coefficient:
1) Determine an Offset for your water type - see Section 3.2.
2) Obtain a standard which,
a. Has a known concentration.