WATER-PAM Fluorometer
The WATER-PAM is the PAM fluorometer of choice when very low chlorophyll contents of samples require outstandingly sensitive fluorescence detection. The three different types of the WATER-PAM are designed to analyse suspension samples, surfaces, or a continuous water flow, respectively.
The parameters measured are chlorophyll content and photosynthetic activity. All WATER-PAM chlorophyll fluorometers can be operated in stand-alone mode which facilitates measurements in the field.
About the WATER-PAM-II Version for Phytoplankton
The WATER-PAM-II can be used for laboratory cultures as well as natural water samples when very low chlorophyll contents of samples require ultra-sensitive fluorescence detection.
The WATER-PAM-II is a portable cuvette system for analysing the photosynthetic activity of a wide variety of phytoplankton samples. The light weight instrument offers a wide range of applications thanks to its large sensitivity spectrum, the ability to easily switch between red and blue light mode (measuring light and actinic light) and a variety of accessories such as a flow-through cuvette.
With the WATER-PAM-II a detailed analysis can be made of the photosynthetic activity of phytoplankton samples including quenching parameters. It can be used as a stand-alone instrument or connected to an external computer on which WinControl-3 software is run. In addition to simple single measurements, analysis protocols such as induction curves and light curves can be performed with easy-to-use program routines.
A new feature of WATER-PAM-II instruments is the differential analysis of algal content, providing a tool to determine the composition of algae populations with respect to three algae groups (green algae, cyanobacteria and brown algae), based on differences in the F-spectrum of these algal groups.
Design features of this very compact instrument:
- Integrated sunlight readable touchscreen enabling easy operation and providing numerical and graphical display of the measurements
- Practical power supply option: common, easily replaceable, off-the-shelf (rechargable) batteries (type AA)
- Energy-efficient LED light sources and storage capacity of 27 000 data sets permit long-term experiments in the field
- Highly sensitive photomultiplier detector with automatic overexposure protection for safe use even in sunny environments
Extensive set of accessories included: several cuvettes, a cuvette stand and the US-SQS/L Light Sensor for precise light calibration.
Accessories for WATER-PAM-II:
- WATER-II/S Stirrer (device controlled) to prevent settling of sample
- PHYTO-II/FT Flow-Through Cuvette with WATER-II/FT/I Pump Control 0-10 V for automated sampling
- BCS-9590 Barcode Scanner for an easy-to-use administration of measurements of labelled samples
- WATER-II/H Tripod Holder for WATER-PAM-II
The WATER-PAM chlorophyll fluorometers achieve outstanding sensitivity by fluorescence detection with a particularly red-sensitive photomultiplier combined with special preamplifier electronics. In this way, detection limits for suspensions down to 0.1 µg chlorophyll/litre are achieved.
Damage to the susceptible photomultiplier tube by external radiation is averted by an automatic switch-off circuit. Consequently, the photomultiplier tube is shielded from external light during measurements.
A further feature of WATER-PAM chlorophyll fluorometers is that they can be operated independently from line connection and computer by the battery-powered PAM-CONTROL unit.
The same PAM-CONTROL unit functions as a physical interface between measuring unit and computer for operation of the WATER-PAM by the WinControl software.
Universal Control Unit PAM-CONTROLFor control of Photomultiplier-detector PM-MF and LED |
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General Features |
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| Data memory: | 128 kB CMOS RAM providing memory for 4000 data sets |
| Microcontroller: | CMOS 80C52 |
| Display: | 2 x 24 character alphanumerical LCD with backlight |
| User interface: | 2 x 4 touch-sensitive keys to operate the internal mode menu |
| Measured parameters: | Fo, Fm, Fm’, F, Fv/Fm (max. Yield), ΔF/Fm’ (Yield), qP, qN, NPQ, PAR (using special micro quantum sensor), ETR (i.e. PAR x ΔF/Fm’) |
General Design |
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| Power supply: | Internal rechargeable battery 12 V/2 Ah, providing power for at least 10 000 Yield measurements, automatic power/off, battery charger MINI-PAM/L (100 to 240 V AC) |
| Dimensions: | 17.6 cm x 11.5 cm x 9.5 cm (L x W x H) |
| Weight: | 2 kg (incl. battery) |
| Operating temperature: | -5 to +45°C |
Connectors |
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| Actinic light: | Drives up to three actinic LEDs |
| Aux input: | Receives signals from temperature and light sensors |
| Aux output: | Sends control signals for external LED drivers |
| Charge: | Socket for battery charger |
| Far red light: | Up to three far red LEDs can be driven |
| Measuring light: | Capacity to drive up to three LEDs both as measuring and actinic light sources, 12 LED intensity and 12 pulse frequency settings are available, automatic change of measuring light frequency. |
| Output: | Provides analogue signal to chart recorder |
| Photomultiplier: | Full control of photomultiplier PM-MF |
| RS232: | Data transfer to computer using WinControl V. 2 software |
Computer-controlled Operation |
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| Software: | WinControl-2 (Windows 3.1x/9x/Me/NT4/2000/XP). WinControl-3 (Windows XP/Vista, Windows 7 and 8). |
Emitter-Detector Unit WATER-ED (red) |
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| Design: | Metal housing with LED array, photomultiplier, pulse signal preamplifier and cables connecting to photomultiplier (PM) and AUX output sockets of PAM-CONTROL unit. Featuring measuring chamber with 15 mm diameter quartz cuvette |
| LED Array: | Pulse modulated measuring light, three LEDs peaking at 650 nm. Actinic light/saturation pulses, 12 LEDs peaking at 660 nm. Far-red light, three LEDs peaking at 740 nm. Alternative to far-red light, blue LEDs (460 nm) can be build in for preferential PS I excitation in cyanobacteria. Actinic intensity up to 2000 µmol quanta m-2 s-1 of photosynthetically active radiation (PAR). Saturation pulse intensity up to 4000 µmol quanta m-2 s-1 |
| Signal detection: | Photomultiplier detector based on Photosensor Module H-6779-01 (Hamamatsu) with high red sensitivity; featuring pulse preamplifier and automatic overload switch-off; fluorescence detection at wavelengths > 710 nm |
| Dimensions: | 11 cm x 9 cm x 8 cm (L x W x H) |
| Weight: | 600 g (incl. cable 0.6 m long) |
Emitter-Detector Unit WATER-ED/B (blue)Identical to Emitter-Detector Unit WATER-ED except: |
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| LED Array: | Pulse modulated measuring light, three LEDs peaking at 460 nm. Actinic light/saturation pulses, 10 LEDs peaking at 460 nm. Far-red light, three LEDs peaking at 740 nm |
Accessories |
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Stirring Device WATER-S |
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| Design: | Miniature stirring motor in plastic housing with adapter for mounting on top of the cuvette in the emitter-detector unit. Equipped with 10 disposable flattened Perspex rods. Self-contained unit powered by a long-life 3 V Lithium Battery. With potentiometer for adjustment of stirring rate |
| Dimensions: | 8 cm x 5 cm x 3 cm (L x W x H) |
| Weight: | 95 g (including battery) |
Spherical Micro Quantum Sensor US-SQS/WB |
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| Application: | Suspension cuvette |
| Connects to: | WATER-PAM, PAM-100 (PDA-100), XE-PAM (PDA-100), DUAL-PAM-100, ULM-500 (AUX), PAM-2500 and MINI-PAM (instead of Leaf Clip Holder 2030-B or 2060 M) |
| Connector: | Same as Leaf Clip Holder 2030-B. Includes hood for suspension cuvette, amplifier for aux input of PAM Control |
| Signal output: | 0 to 2.5 V DC / 0 to 1000 μmol m-2 s-1 or 0 to 2.5 V DC / 0 to 20.000 μmol m-2 s-1 Power Provided by connected instrument |
| Cable length: | 3 m + 0.5 m |
| Size: | Sensor: Diameter 1 cm, length: 11 cm; Hood: Diameter 3.4 cm height: 3.2 cm; Amplifier: 5 x 5 x 5 cm (W x L x H) |
| Weight: | 175 g |