Suspended Sediment
Sequoia Scientific LISST-ABS
It represents an advance over turbidity sensors. It is suitable for use in environmental applications, as well as in industry, such as hydropower. The 8MHz acoustic sensor ‘sees’ all size grains, and unlike turbidity, it sees coarse grains very well. The LISST-ABS calibration is far less sensitive to grain size changes than turbidity sensors, changing only ~ ± 30% over 30-400 microns. Operates over a >4-decade working range in concentration. Tolerates fouling.
- Output: concentration in mg/liter, referred to 75-90 micron glass beads.
- Sample Volume Location: 5.5 cm from sensor face.
- Operating Frequency: 8MHz
- Tolerant to biofouling
- Calibration over 30-400 micron sizes: flat to within ±30%; [compare with ±400% for optical turbidity sensors]
- Calibration for fine particles below 30 microns: response follows d^1.5
- Analog, SDI-12 and Digital (RS232) outputs available on the underwater connector
The LISST-ABS is a single-point monitoring sensor. It uses a new and novel technique to internally compensate for geometric beam spreading and attenuation, yielding de-attenuated backscatter signal strength. It is held pointing into flow for low drag.
Why acoustics? Why single-point, and why 8 MHz?
Acoustic sensors benefit from their much higher tolerance to fouling than optical sensors, which is an obvious advantage. Single-point use makes them suitable for monitoring wherever turbidity type sensors are in use. The choice of 8MHz frequency is made to ensure nearly flat response to particles in the size range 30-400 microns.
For example, LISST-ABS maintains calibration over a size range 30 to 400 microns within ~ ±30% from its mean value (thin black line). In contrast, sensitivity of optical turbidity sensors changes by ~ ±400% over the same size range.
The LISST-ABS also covers a >4-decade wide concentration range, from 1mg/L up to 30g/L for 5-10 micron sediments, and similar to fine sand.
This wide range makes a single sensor usable in low turbidity regimes to extremely high turbidity regimes.
With the much improved grain-size tolerance, the wide working range of concentration, and the tolerance to fouling, the LISST-ABS is just a superior new technology instrument for the sedimentologist’s toolbox.
The LISST-ABS is now shipping!