Vernier Go Direct Sound User manual

1
should be immersed. Make sure no air bubbles are trapped below the ISE.
Important: Do not leave the ISE soaking for more than 24 hours. Important: If
you plan to use the electrode outside the range of the standards provided, you
will need to prepare your own standards and use those for soaking.
Note: If the ISE needs to be transported to the field during the soaking process,
use the Short-Term ISE Soaking Bottle. Remove the cap from the bottle and fill
it 3/4 full with High Standard. Slide the bottle’s cap onto the ISE, insert it into
the bottle, and tighten.
For long-term storage (greater than 24 hours) make sure the sensor is stored in its
storage bottle with the sponge slightly damp.
Collecting Data
1. Remove the storage bottle from the soaking solution (high standard).
Thoroughly rinse the lower section of the probe, especially around the tip,
using distilled or deionized water. Blot dry with a paper towel.
2. Insert the tip of the ISE into the aqueous sample to be tested. Important:
Make sure the ISE is not resting on the bottom of the container, the white
reference contacts near the tip of the electrode are immersed, and no air
bubbles are trapped below the ISE. Note: Do not completely submerge the
sensor.
3. Hold the ISE still until the reading stabilizes and record the displayed
reading. Note: With some aqueous samples, especially those at high
concentrations, it could take several minutes for the reading of the Calcium
ISE to stabilize. If you know the approximate concentrations of your
samples, it is best to analyze them from lowest concentration to highest.
Note: Readings are reported in mV. To convert this to concentration, refer to the
How the Sensor Works section of this user manual.
Specifications
Range (mV) –1000 mV to +1000 mV
Range
(concentration)
1 to 40,000 mg/L (or ppm)
Reproducibility
(precision)
±30 mV
Interfering ions Pb2+, Hg2+, Si2+, Fe2+, Cu2+, Ni2+, NH3, Na+, Li+, K+,
Ba2+, Zn2+, Mg2+
pH range 2–8 (no pH compensation)
Temperature range 0–40°C (no temperature compensation)
Electrode slope +26 ±2 mV/decade at 25°C
Go Direct®Calcium Ion-
Selective Electrode BNC
(Order Code GDX-CA-BNC)
The Go Direct Calcium Ion-Selective Electrode BNC is used to measure the
concentration of calcium (Ca2+) ions in aqueous samples. It is designed to be
used with the Vernier Go Direct Electrode Amplifier (order code GDX-EA).
Note: Vernier products are designed for educational use. Our products are not
designed nor are they recommended for any industrial, medical, or commercial
process such as life support, patient diagnosis, control of a manufacturing
process, or industrial testing of any kind.
What's Included
lGo Direct Calcium Ion-Selective Electrode BNC, packed in a storage bottle
with a damp sponge
l30 mL bottle of High Standard solution with SDS (1000 mg/L Ca2+)
l30 mL bottle of Low Standard solution with SDS (10 mg/L Ca2+)
lShort-Term ISE Soaking Bottle
Using the Product
To prepare the electrode to make measurements, follow this procedure:
lConnect the Ion-Selective Electrode BNC to the Go Direct Ion-Selective
Electrode Amplifier. Push the BNC connector of the electrode onto the
connector on the amplifier, then turn the BNC connector about one-half turn
clockwise.
lConnect the amplifier to your computer, Chromebook™, LabQuest 2, or
mobile device and run the data-collection software. Change the sensor
channel to the appropriate ion or Potential, if necessary.
lYour ISE needs to be prepared before use. This includes a 30-minute soak in
the High Standard solution.
lIf you plan to use the electrode outside the range of the standards provided,
you will need to prepare your own standards and use those for soaking and
calibration.
lThe ISE should not rest on the bottom of the container.
lThe small white reference contacts near the tip of the electrode should be
immersed.
lMake sure no air bubbles are trapped below the ISE.
lDo not leave the ISE soaking for more than 24 hours.
Note: Do not completely submerge the sensor. The BNC connection is not
waterproof.
Preparing the Calcium ISE for Use
Soak the electrode in the High Standard solution (included with the ISE) for
approximately 30 minutes. The ISE should not rest on the bottom of the
container, and the small white reference contacts near the tip of the electrode

2
a. Combine 100 mL of the High Standard with 900 mL of distilled water. Mix
well.
b. Combine 100 mL of the solution made in the previous step with 900 mL of
distilled water. Mix well.
**Perform a serial dilution as described below.
c. Combine 100 mL of the Low Standard with 900 mL of distilled water. Mix
well.
Calcium ISE Replacement Membrane Modules
The Go Direct Calcium Ion-Selective Electrode BNC has a PVC membrane with
a limited life expectancy. It is warranted to be free from defects for a period of
12 months from the date of purchase; it is possible, however, that you may get
somewhat longer use than the warranty period. If you start to notice a reduced
response, it is probably time to replace the membrane module. Important: Do
not order membrane modules far in advance of the time you will be using them;
the process of degradation takes place even when they are stored on the shelf.
How the Sensor Works
Combination Ion-Selective Electrodes consist of an ion-specific (sensing) half-
cell and a reference half-cell. The ion-specific half-cell produces a potential that
is measured against the reference half-cell depending on the activity of the
target ion in the measured sample. The ion activity and the potential reading
change as the target ion concentration of the sample changes. The relationship
between the potential measured with the ISE and the ion activity, and thereby
the ion concentration in the sample, is described by the Nernst equation:
E= measured potential (mV) between the ion-selective and the reference
electrode
Eo= standard potential (mV) between the ion-selective and reference electrodes
R = universal gas constant (R = 8.314 J mol-1 K-1)
T= temperature in K (Kelvin), with T (K) = 273.15 + t °C where tis the
temperature of the measured solution in °C.
F = Faraday constant (96485 C mol-1)
n= valence of the ion
C= concentration of ion to be measured
Co= detection limit
Since R and F are constant, they will not change. The electrical charge of the
ion (valence) to be measured is also known. Therefore, this equation can be
simplified as:
E = Eo–S •log(C + Co)
Electrode resistance 100 MΩ
Minimum sample
size
Must be submerged 2.8 cm (1.1 in)
Care and Maintenance
Short-term storage (up to 24 hours): Fill the Short-Term ISE Soaking bottle 3/4
full with High Standard. Loosen the cap, insert the electrode into the bottle, and
tighten.
Long-term storage (more than 24 hours): Long-term storage of the ISE (longer
than 24 hours): Moisten the sponge in the bottom of the long-term storage
bottle with distilled water. When you finish using the ISE, rinse it off with
distilled water and blot it dry with a paper towel. Loosen the lid of the long-
term storage bottle and insert the ISE. Note: The tip of the ISE should NOT
touch the sponge. Also, make sure the white reference mark is inside the bottle.
Tighten the lid. This will keep the electrode in a humid environment, which
prevents the reference junctions from completely drying out.
Maintaining and Replacing the ISE Standard Calibration Solutions
Having accurate standard solutions is essential for performing good calibrations.
The two standard solutions that were included with your ISE can last a long
time if you take care not to contaminate them. At some point, you will need to
replenish your supply of standard solutions. Vernier sells replacement standards
in 500 mL volumes. Order codes are:
lCA-LST: Calcium Low Standard, 10 mg/L Ca2+
lCA-HST: Calcium High Standard, 1000 mg/L Ca2+
To prepare your own standard solutions, use the information in the following
table. Note: Use glassware designed for accurate volume measurements, such as
volumetric flasks or graduated cylinders. All glassware must be very clean.
Standard
Solution
Concentration
(mg/L or ppm
Ca2+)
Preparation Method using
High Quality Distilled Water
Calcium (Ca2+)
ISE High Standard
1000 mg/L as Ca2+ 2.771 g CaCl2/ 1 L solution or
3.669g CaCl2× 2H20 / 1 L
solution
Calcium (Ca2+)
ISE Low Standard
10 mg/L as Ca2+ Dilute the High Standard by a
factor of 100 (from 1000mg/L
to 10mg/L).*
Calcium (Ca2+)
ISE 1mg/L Standard
1 mg/L as Ca2+ Dilute the Low Standard by a
factor of 10 (from 10 mg/L to
1mg/L).**
*Perform two serial dilutions as described below.

3
Example Calculation, converting mV to mg/L
For this example, the measured quantities are shown in the chart below:
Solution Measured Potential
1 mg/L Ca2+ standard 1 mV
10 mg/L Ca2+ standard 30 mV
1000 mg/L Ca2+ standard 82 mV
unknown sample 50 mV
C= 10^[(50 mV – 1 mV)/ +26 mV/decade] = 77 ppm Ca2+
Using the Calcium ISE to Measure Water Hardness as Ca2+
Your Calcium Ion-Selective Electrode (ISE) can be used to determine the
concentration of aqueous Ca2+ ions, in the range of 1.0 to 40,000 mg/L. It can
be especially useful in determining “hardness of water.” Calcium ions are often
found in freshwater samples as a result of water flowing over soil and mineral
deposits containing limestone, chalk, magnetite, or dolomite. In one common
reaction, limestone is dissolved according to the reaction
CaCO3(s) + H+(aq) ↔ Ca2+(aq) + HCO3–(aq)
This reaction and others similar to it produce water with a relatively high
concentration of Ca2+ ions, and lesser concentrations of Mg2+ and Fe3+ ions—
known as hard water.
Many methods of determining water hardness use “total hardness,” or the sum of
hardness due to Mg2+ and Ca2+. Since the Ca2+ concentration of freshwater
usually exceeds that of Mg2+, determining the Ca2+ concentration alone is a
good indicator of water hardness—we will refer to this measurement as “calcium
hardness.” For best results, calibrate the Calcium ISE using the 10 mg/L and
1000 mg/L standards.
Using the standard solutions described here, your results will be in units of
mg/L of Ca2+. Units of calcium hardness are usually expressed as “calcium
hardness as CaCO3”. To convert from units of mg/L of Ca2+ (150 mg/L is used
in this example) to units of calcium hardness as CaCO3, in mg/L, you would use
this expression:
Using the standard solutions described here, your results will be in units of
mg/L of Ca2+. Units of calcium hardness are usually expressed as “calcium
hardness as CaCO3”. To convert from units of mg/L of Ca2+ (150 mg/L is used
in this example) to units of calcium hardness as CaCO3, in mg/L, you would use
this expression:
where is the ideal slope of the ISE.
The following table describes ideal behavior:
Ion Examples n (valence of
ion)
S (at 25 °C),
mV/decade
Calcium (Ca2+) +2 +29.58
Potassium (K+), Ammonium (NH4+) +1 +59.16
Nitrate (NO3-), Chloride (Cl-) –1 –59.16
Assuming C0is near zero, the equation can be rewritten as:
C= 10˄[(E – Eo) / S]
allowing for the calculation of the ion concentration.
It is very important to note that this table reflects ideal behavior. Ion-selective
electrodes have slopes that are typically lower than ideal. It is generally
accepted that an ISE slope from 88–101% of ideal is allowable. The slope (S) is
an indicator of ISE performance. If the slope changes significantly over time, it
may indicate that it is necessary to replace the ISE sensor tip.
Convert Potential to Concentration (Optional)
To measure the mV readings from an aqueous sample, calibration is not
required. To convert mV readings to concentration (mg/L or ppm), you will use
a modified version of the Nernst Equation:
C= 10˄[(E – Eo) / Sm]
C= concentration of ion to be measured (mg/L or ppm)
E= measured potential of sample (mV)
Eo= measured potential (mV) at a C = 1 mg/L Ca2+ concentration
Sm= measured electrode slope in mV/decade
The value of Sm, the measured electrode slope, is determined by measuring the
potential of two standard solutions, and solving the equation below:
Sm= – [(Low Standard – High Standard) / # of decades*]
*A decade is defined as the factor of the difference between the two standard
solutions. For example, the difference between a 1mg/L standard and a
100mg/L standard is 2 decades (a factor of 100 difference, or 1 × 102).

4
Accessories/Replacements
Item Order Code
Standard High Potassium ISE Solution CA-HST
Standard Low Potassium ISE Solution CA-LST
Storage Solution Bottles, pkg of 5 BTL
Calcium Replacement Module CA-MOD
Warranty
Vernier warrants this product to be free from defects in materials and
workmanship for a period of five years from the date of shipment to the
customer. This warranty does not cover damage to the product caused by abuse
or improper use. Additionally, the warranty does not cover accidental breakage
of the glass bulb of the pH sensor.
Vernier Software & Technology
13979 SW Millikan Way • Beaverton, OR 97005-2886
Toll Free [phone] • [phone] • Fax [phone]
[e-mail] • www.vernier.com
Rev. 04/02/18
Go Direct, LabQuest, and other marks shown are our trademarks or registered trademarks in the United States.
All other marks not owned by us that appear herein are the property of their respective owners, who may or may
not be affiliated with, connected to, or sponsored by us.
It is important to remember that total hardness, taking into account both the Ca
and Mg levels, will be about 1.5 times higher than your calcium hardness value.
Water hardness varies considerably in different parts of the United States, from
levels of less than 60 mg/L (total hardness as CaCO3) in Washington, Oregon,
Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee, and New England, to levels exceeding 250
mg/L in Midwestern states (Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska, South
Dakota, and Oklahoma). Water with a hardness as CaCO3level greater than 120
mg/L is considered to be “hard,” while levels exceeding 180 mg/L are referred
to as “very hard.” Total water hardness, the sum of calcium and magnesium
hardness in mg/L CaCO3, can be determined by titration with EDTA. A
protocol can be found in our lab book Water Quality with Vernier. A plot of ln
[Ca2+] (natural log of calcium ion concentration) vs. volume is used to determine
the equivalence point. The second derivative can be used to calculate the point
of maximum inflection at the equivalence point of the titration.
Using Ionic Strength Adjuster Solutions to Improve Accuracy
For optimal results at low concentrations of calcium ions, a standard method for
taking measurements with the Calcium Ion-Selective Electrode (ISE) is to add
ionic strength adjuster (ISA) solution to each of your standard solutions and
samples.
Adding an ISA ensures that the total ion activity in each solution being
measured is nearly equal, regardless of the specific ion concentration. This is
especially important when measuring very low concentrations of calcium ions.
The ISA contains no ions common to the Calcium ISE itself. Note: The
additions of ISA to samples or standards described below do not need to have a
high level of accuracy—combining the ISA solution and sample solution
counting drops using a disposable Beral pipet works fine.
Add the 1.0 M KCl ISA solution (7.46 g KCl / 100 mL solution) to the Ca2+
standard or to the solution being measured, in a ratio of 1 part of ISA (by
volume) to 50 parts of total solution (e.g., 1 mL of ISA to 50 mL of total
solution, or 2 drops of ISA to 5 mL of total solution).
Troubleshooting
See General tips for using Ion Selective Electrodes at www.vernier.com/til/665
Repair Information
If you have followed the troubleshooting steps and are still having trouble with
your Go Direct Calcium Ion-Selective Electrode BNC, contact Vernier
Technical Support at [e-mail] or call 888-837-6437. Support
specialists will work with you to determine if the unit needs to be sent in for
repair. At that time, a Return Merchandise Authorization (RMA) number will be
issued and instructions will be communicated on how to return the unit for
repair.