Turbidity and its impact on photometric water analysis with advanced auto detection

What is turbidity?

Turbidity refers to the cloudiness or haziness of water, caused by suspended particles including clay, silt, organic matter, rust, and other fine debris. These particles scatter and absorb light, which affects water quality.

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While turbidity may not be harmful in itself, it is a warning sign of contamination that can disrupt disinfection, damage aquatic ecosystems, and impede filtration systems. Turbidity must be measured accurately to provide safe and clean water, particularly in drinking water systems.

The role of turbidity in photometric analysis

Photometric methods, including colorimetric and spectrophotometric techniques, assess water quality by analyzing how light interacts with a sample. However, turbidity can have a considerable impact on the accuracy of these assessments by:

1. Light Scattering and Absorption: Suspended particles can cause analyte measurement errors due to light scattering and absorption. Scattering limits light transmission, but particle absorption generates new absorbance signals unrelated to the target analyte.
2. Discoloration of the Sample: Turbidity in visual tests might result in false positives or color matching issues, particularly in low-concentration analyses.
3. Wavelength-Dependent Effects: Turbidity scatters light differently depending on its wavelength. Shorter wavelengths, such as blue light, scatter more than longer red wavelengths. This phenomenon can complicate multi-wavelength or full-spectrum testing.

How to reduce turbidity effects

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Several approaches can reduce the impact on photometric analysis:

1. Filtration: This process removes suspended particles through membrane or glass fiber filters based on particle size. Filtration may not be effective when the turbidity is caused by analyte-bound particles.
2. Dilution: Diluting the sample with deionized water lowers turbidity interference but may lower analyte concentration, necessitating calibration.
3. Correction Factors: Many modern instruments use built-in correction factors to offset the effects of turbidity, automatically adjusting results to maintain accuracy.

MACHEREY-NAGEL: Automatic turbidity warning

MACHEREY-NAGEL provides devices to overcome turbidity challenges in photometric water analysis. Its NANOCOLOR^® spectrophotometers include devices that automatically detect turbidity-related interference.

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1. Automatic Turbidity Detection (NTU Check): NANOCOLOR^® spectrophotometers automatically check turbidity levels before testing, alerting users when readings are too high for reliable analysis.
2. Integration of Turbidity Measurement: The turbidity check is integrated into the testing process to provide real-time feedback and record turbidity levels alongside test findings. If the turbidity level surpasses what is considered acceptable, the system notifies users to prevent providing incorrect data.
3. Use of Nephelometric Turbidity Units (NTU): MACHEREY-NAGEL equipment employs the 90° light scattering method to measure turbidity in Nephelometric Turbidity Units (NTU) for consistent and accurate water quality monitoring, in accordance with EN ISO 7027 standards.
4. Dilution and Filtration: To reduce turbidity, dilute or filter the material. The dilution factor can be entered later in the measurement process to adjust the result automatically.
5. Quality Control: The turbidity check is built into the testing process, delivering real-time feedback and logging turbidity levels alongside the final results.

Advantages of MACHEREY-NAGEL’s Nanocolor spectrophotometers

MACHEREY-NAGEL's compact NANOCOLOR^® spectrophotometers have various advantages that make them attractive for water quality analysis:

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1. User-Friendly Interface: Analysts may easily set up and operate the instrument with minimum training due to its intuitive user interface.
2. Compact Design: Their compact design makes them ideal for space-limited labs or mobile fieldwork, while still delivering high-level performance.
3. Fast Readings: Spectrophotometers produce reliable readings rapidly, allowing for efficient operations in busy labs.
4. Accuracy and Reliability: These instruments provide precise, dependable results essential for rigorous environmental and water quality monitoring.
5. Versatility: These spectrophotometers offer pre-calibrated procedures for diverse applications, making them relevant across sectors.
6. Low Maintenance: Their durable construction requires low upkeep, saving time and money while providing continuous performance.

Conclusion

Turbidity has a substantial impact on photometric water analysis because it scatters and absorbs light, causing inaccuracies in colorimetric and spectrophotometric readings. Advanced systems such as MACHEREY-NAGEL’s NANOCOLOR^® spectrophotometers counter these effects with automated turbidity detection for more reliable results.

These instruments include real-time turbidity checks, correction factors, dilution factors, and filtration to ensure accurate water quality results.

Their user-friendly design, compact size, quick results, and accuracy make them suitable tools for analysts in a variety of applications, ensuring the integrity of water quality assessments in difficult conditions.

References

• ISO. ISO 7027-1:2016. [online] ISO. Available at: https://www.iso.org/standard/62801.html.
• U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (2018). Turbidity: A significant factor in water quality testing. Available at: https://www.epa.gov/
• MACHEREY-NAGEL (n.d.). NANOCOLOR® spectrophotometer water analysis. [online] Available at: https://www.mn-net.com/
• MACHEREY-NAGEL (n.d.). NANOCOLOR® Advance [video]. [online] Available at: https://www.mn-net.com/

About ESSLAB

ESSLAB (Essex Scientific Laboratory Supplies Limited) is a leading global supplier of analytical consumables for chemical analysis. Founded in 1982, ESSLAB has built a strong reputation in the fields of chromatography, spectroscopy, and electrochemistry. Known for their expertise in precision liquid handling, ESSLAB offers a wide range of high-quality products that go beyond just laboratory instruments.

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