Turner Designs FluoroSense User manual

FluoroSense™
User’s Manual
December 21, 2018
P/N: 998-2852
Revision C
TURNER DESIGNS
1995 N. 1st Street.
San Jose, CA 95112
Phone: [phone]
FAX: [phone]

FluoroSense™User’s Manual
2
Table of Contents
1
Introduction
1.1
Description
4
1.2
Inspection and Setup
4
1.3
General Information, Precautions & Cleaning
4
2
Instrument Operation and Calibration
2.1
Instrument Power Up
5
2.2
Sample Analysis
5
2.3
Calibration Procedure (only needed if FluoroSense fails calibration check)
5
3
Applications
3.1
In Vivo Chlorophyll
6
4
Warranty
4.1
Terms
7
4.2
Warranty Service
7
4.3
Out of Warranty Service
8
Appendixes
A
Specifications
10
B
Linear Range, Quenching and Temperature Considerations
11

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WASTE ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT (WEEE) DIRECTIVE
Turner Designs is in the business of designing and selling products that benefit the well-being of
our environment. Accordingly, we are concerned with preserving the surroundings wherever
our instruments are used and happy to work with customers by complying with the WEEE
Directive to reduce the environmental impact resulting from the use of our products.
WEEE Return Process:
To arrange the return of an end-of-life product, proceed as follows:
If you purchased your instrument through a Turner Designs Distributor please contact your
local representative. They will instruct you where to return the end-of-life product.
If you purchased your instrument directly from Turner Designs please contact Turner
Designs Customer Service
By Phone: [phone] or Toll Free: [phone]
By Email: Customer Service at [e-mail]
Turner Designs will provide a WEEE RMA Number, a Shipping Account Number, and a Ship
to Address. Package and ship the product back to Turner Designs.
The product will be dealt with per Turner Designs’ end-of-life recycling program in an
environmentally friendly way.

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1 Introduction
1.1 Description
The FluoroSense is a lightweight, handheld fluorometer ideal for field use. Its small size
makes it perfect for the user who needs quick measurements away from the laboratory.
1.2 Inspection and Setup
1.2.1 Inspection
Upon receiving your instrument, please inspect everything carefully and make sure
all accessories are present. All shipments include:
The FluoroSense
The User’s Manual and Quick Start Guide on USB Flash Drive
Laminated Quick Start Guide
2 - AA batteries
Shade Cap P/N 2850-500
Wrist strap P/N 030-8500
1.2.2 Setup
Before the FluoroSense can be used, the supplied batteries
must be installed.
1. On the back side of the instrument, remove the battery
panel by loosening the screws and then gently remove the
back panel.
2. Install the 2 - AA batteries and verify the batteries are
positioned correctly.
3. Replace the battery panel and press it down into position.
4. Hold the battery panel down in place and gently tighten the
screws until it is snug. Do not over tighten the screws.
1.3 General Information, Precautions and Cleaning
The FluoroSense should NOT come in contact with any organic solvents or strong
acids and bases
Rinsing with fresh water and drying the instrument thoroughly with a non-abrasive cloth
after use is recommended.
Visual inspection of the optical face for fouling should be done on a regular basis.
To inspect the optical face remove the cap:
If there is any noticeable fouling, use a soft
bristle brush or non-abrasive cloth and soapy
water to clean the optical window. Rinse
thoroughly.
Do not expose the FluoroSense to
temperatures outside the specified range
of 5 to 40 °C or damage may occur to the
unit that will not be covered under
warranty.
Rotate the cap
until the seam
is aligned with
opening. Then
remove the cap.
Reverse steps
to install the
cap.

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2. Instrument Operation and Calibration
2.1 Instrument Power Up
To turn on the FluoroSense, press the power button.
2.2 Sample Analysis
1. Place the sensor in the sample with the cap fully submerged.
2. Shake gently to make sure all bubbles are purged from the cap.
3. Press the Read button.
2.3 Calibration Procedure
Note: FluoroSense ships calibrated. Only re-calibrate if unit does not read 100 ± 3%
for the appropriate Standard Solution. Use P/N 6500-220 for in vivo Chlorophyll and
P/N 6500-020 for in vivo Phycocyanin (PC).
•To calibrate, press and hold the Read button while unit is off.
•While holding the Read button, press and hold the Power button until 100 appears on
the screen. Release both buttons.
•Place the sensor in the standard with the cap fully submerged, shake gently to make
sure all bubbles are purged from the cap, and press the Read button.
•The display will flash “td” several times and then the unit will automatically turn off.
At this point the FluoroSense is calibrated. You can confirm the calibration by turning the
unit on and pressing the read button while the unit is in the standard solution. Readings
should be 100 ± 3%.
READ

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3 Applications
3.1 In Vivo Chlorophyll
In vivo chlorophyll analysis is the fluorescence detection of chlorophyll in live algal cells, in
water. This technique uses excitation light from the fluorometer to excite chlorophyll within
algal cells causing them to fluoresce. The fluorescence is then detected and converted to
an analog or digital value and can then be correlated to a known concentration.
In vivo fluorescence measurements are qualitative in nature. They can provide valuable
information on the spatial and temporal distribution of algae, quickly and easily.
FluoroSense converts the in vivo fluorescence detected to chlorophyll concentration
estimates reported in units of µg/L. The conversion factor was determined using green
algae, Tetraselmis sp.
Data reported are semi-quantitative because environmental conditions, presence of
interfering compounds, cellular physiology, morphology, and light history can influence the
relationship between the in vivo fluorescence and the actual concentration of chlorophyll in
algae.
For more details on chlorophyll analysis visit Turner Designs’website under Applications.
3.2 In vivo PC
Phycocyanin (PC) is a pigment primarily found in cyanobacteria. It has fluorescence
properties which allow for its detection and/or quantification. Similar to chlorophyll, we can
detect PC in vivo as a qualitative measure providing valuable information on the spatial and
temporal distribution of PC-containing algae and the phytoplankton population or community
in an aquatic system. Researchers often use PC to CHL ratios to track changes or shifts in
phytoplankton communities which may indicate mixing water masses or sharp changes in
physical parameters such as salinity, temperature, suspended sediments, etc.
PC-containing algae are also often associated with harmful algae that contain toxic
compounds such as Microcystis aeruginosa, a freshwater cyanobacteria. Detecting PC-
containing algae in water systems can be a first step towards determining whether testing
for toxins is required as a preventative measure to warn against potential harm from toxic
algae.
PC FluoroSense converts in vivo fluorescence of PC detected to concentration estimates
reported as µg/L of PC. The conversion factor was determined using a known concentration
of extracted PC in buffer solution, diluted in water. The actual concentration estimated by
the FluoroSense is semi-quantitative at best as extracted PC has a different fluorescence
yield from PC contained within live algal cells.

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4 Warranty
4.1 Terms
Turner Designs warrants the FluoroSense and accessories to be free from defects in
materials and workmanship under normal use and service for a period of 12 months from
the date of shipment from Turner Designs, with the following restrictions:
Turner Designs is not responsible for replacing parts damaged by accident or neglect.
Your instrument must be used according to instructions in the User’s Manual. Damage
from corrosion is not covered. Damage caused by customer modification of the
instrument is not covered.
This warranty covers only Turner Designs products and is not extended to equipment
used with our products. We are not responsible for incidental or consequential
damages, except in those states where this limitation is not allowed. This warranty gives
you specific legal rights and you may have other rights which vary from state to state.
Damage incurred in shipping is not covered.
4.2 Warranty Service
To obtain service during the warranty period, the owner shall take the following steps:
1 Write, email, or call the Turner Designs Technical Support department and describe as
precisely as possible the nature of the problem.
Phone: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]
2 Carry out any adjustments or tests as suggested by the Technical Support Department.
3 If proper performance is not obtained you will be issued a Return Authorization number
(RMA). Package the unit, write the RMA number on the outside of the shipping carton,
and ship the instrument, prepaid, to Turner Designs. If the failure is covered under the
warranty terms, the instrument will be repaired and returned free of charge, for all
customers in the contiguous continental United States.
For customers outside of the contiguous continental United States who purchased
equipment from one of our authorized distributors, contact the distributor. If you
purchased directly, contact us. We will repair the instrument at no charge. Customer
pays for shipping duties and documentation to Turner Designs. Turner Designs pays for
return shipment (custom duties, taxes and fees are the responsibility of the customer).

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4.3 Out-of-Warranty Service
Follow steps for Warranty Service as listed above. If our Technical Support department can
assist you by phone or correspondence, we will be glad to, at no charge. Repair service will
be billed on a fixed price basis, plus any applicable duties and/or taxes. Shipment to Turner
Designs should be prepaid. Your bill will include return shipment freight charges.
Address for Shipment:
Turner Designs
1995 N. 1st Street
San Jose, CA 95112

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FluoroSense™User’s Manual
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Appendix A: Specifications
FluoroSense
Linear range
0-199 µg/L
Resolution
1 µg/L
Light source
LED
Detector
Photodiode
Calibration Type
Single point
Size
8.9” x 2” x 1.75”; 22.6 cm x 5.1 cm x 4.5 cm
Weight
4.3 oz; 120 g
Temperature
41-104°F (5-40°C)
Case
IP 67 standard; dustproof/waterproof
Power
2 AA batteries, standard or rechargeable
Auto Power Off
After 1 minute of inactivity
Temperature coefficient for in vivo chlorophyll
1.4%/ °C or .78%/ °F

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Appendix B: Linear Range, Quenching and Temperature Considerations
Linear Range and Quenching
The linear range is the concentration range in which the readout of the FluoroSense is directly
proportional to the concentration of the fluorophore in the sample. The linear range begins with
the lowest detectable concentration and spans to an upper limit concentration that is dependent
on the properties of the fluorescent material and the cuvette optical path length.
At concentrations above this upper limit, the fluorescence reading will not increase at a linear
rate in comparison to the change in concentration. At concentrations 10 times higher than the
upper limit, the readings will start to decrease even though the sample concentration is
increasing.
This effect is known as "sample quenching" and is due to light absorption losses in the sample.
See the Figure 1.
When you start to see visual color in the sample, this is an indicator that the sample may be
above the upper limit of linearity. The linearity can be verified by diluting a sample 1:1 or
another convenient dilution ratio. If the sample is within the linear range, the reading will
decrease in direct proportion to the dilution. If the reading does not decrease in direct
proportion to the dilution or if the reading increases, the original sample concentration was
above the linear range.
Figure 1. Linearity and Quenching Regions of Sample Response Curve
Temperature Considerations
Fluorescence is temperature sensitive. As the temperature of the sample increases, the
fluorescence decreases. For best accuracy make sure your samples are at the same
temperature as the calibration standard. If you have the ability to measure sample temperature,
a temperature coefficient may be applied to your measurements, see Appendix A -
Specifications table.
Sample Concentration
Fluorometer
Reading
Fluorometer Response Curve
Sample
Quenching Region
Sample
Linear Region