The project "Analytical Devices for Autonomous Monitoring of the Environment" was organised into three sub-projects: 1 Development of an autonomous phosphate analyser for measuring nutrient levels in rivers, lakes and coastal regions. 2 Development of a light-emitting diode (LED)-based instrument for colorimetric measurement of lightmodulated photoswitchable polymeric films. 3 Development of methods for qualifying the elemental (mainly heavy metal) content of soils and dust samples. A portable system for the long-term monitoring of phosphate was developed. This completely autonomous device incorporates sampling, reagent and waste storage, colorimetric detection, wireless communication, and a power supply into a complete, miniaturised system. The integration of a wireless communication device allows acquisition parameters to be controlled remotely and adjusted according to individual needs. In addition, wireless communication capabilities allow the results to be downloaded remotely and displayed in real time. The autonomous capabilities of the system - combined with the portability and wireless communication - provide the flexibility needed for on-site phosphate monitoring. This system demonstrates the potential of truly autonomous microfluidic platforms for use in long-term environmental monitoring.

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Radu, T. Diamond, D.   "Analytical Devices for Autonomous Monitoring of the Environment". Associated datasets and digitial information objects connected to this resource are available at: Secure Archive For Environmental Research Data (SAFER) managed by Environmental Protection Agency Ireland https://eparesearch.epa.ie/safer/resource?id=fe387dce-8df3-102d-ba42-8e912b2741d0 (Last Accessed: 2024-12-14)

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SAFER-Data Display URL	https://eparesearch.epa.ie/safer/iso19115/display?isoID=161
Resource Keywords	autonomous phosphate analyser light-emitting diode LED heavy metal soils ion electrodes
EPA/ERTDI/STRIVE Project Code	2004-RS-AIC-M4
EPA/ERTDI/STRIVE Project Theme	Environmental Technologies
Resource Availability:	Public-Open
Limitations on the use of this Resource	There is no data attached to this resource. However further usage of the reports in any significant way should be properly cited or acknowledged in any further publications. A citation is provided below.
Number of Attached Files (Publicly and Openly Available for Download):	3
Project Start Date	Saturday 1st May 2004 (01-05-2004)
Earliest Recorded Date within any attached datasets or digital objects	Sunday 26th March 2006 (26-03-2006)
Most Recent Recorded Date within any attached datasets or digital objects	Wednesday 31st March 2010 (31-03-2010)
Published on SAFER	Wednesday 31st March 2010 (31-03-2010)
Date of Last Edit	Wednesday 31st March 2010 at 10:06:16 (31-03-2010)
Datasets or Files Updated On	Wednesday 31st March 2010 at 10:06:16 (31-03-2010)

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Description of Geographical Characteristics of This Project or Dataset
A field trial of the phosphate sensor was carried out in the Towns river, Co. Offaly, Ireland during a 36-h period between 27 and 29 March, 2006. Due to a decrease in the reaction time caused by the cold environment, it was necessary to increase the time between measurements to 45 min. The final concentration was calculated from the average of two consecutive measurements. On-site calibration was possible by alternating measurements of phosphate in the river with 0 and 5 mg/L P-PO4 3- standards brought to the field. During the river measurements, the sensor was submerged in the water and the base station left on the nearby bank. Data were downloaded remotely to a laptop computer using the base station?s GSM modem. During the field trial, three water samples were collected for analysis back in the laboratory. After collection, each sample was immediately filtered with the polyethersulfone membrane filter, stored in an acid-washed sample bottle, and frozen within 30 min of collection. In the laboratory, aliquots of each thawed sample were mixed with the yellow reagent and the absorbance of the solution was measured in a bench-top spectrophotometer. Seventeen soil samples were collected in the area of North Tipperary, Ireland, including the village of Silvermines and abandoned mining sites. Sampling locations were chosen based on the pollution maps published by the Expert Group (Office of Environmental Enforcement, 2004). Sampling locations included the Gortmore Tailing and Mining Facilities (TMF) Silvermines village and the surrounding area. The areas of Gortmore TMF and Ballygowan (south of village Silvermines) were identified as pollution hotspots in the Final Report of the Expert Group for Silvermines County, Tipperary (Office of Environmental Enforcement, 2004). Soil samples were collected, stored in polyethylene bags and kept on ice until brought to the laboratory.

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The following is a list of projects, datasets, and resources on SAFER-Data from which users downloaded attachments from soon after downloading attachments from this resource Analytical Devices for Autonomous Monitoring of the Environment. You can view the full description for projects, datasets, and resources by using the links supplied.

• Current Status and Required Actions for National Climate Observing Systems View Full Metadata Description
• Phosphorus, Nitrogen and Suspended Sediment loss from Soil to Water from Agricultural Grassland View Full Metadata Description
• Anaerobic Digestion: Decision Support Software View Full Metadata Description
• Environmental Attitudes, Values and Behaviour in Ireland View Full Metadata Description
• Contaminant Movement and Attenuation along Pathways from the Land Surface to Aquatic Receptors - A Review View Full Metadata Description

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