Performance of a Handheld Chlorophyll-a Fluorometer: Potential Use for Rapid Algae Monitoring

Chlorophyll-a measurements are an important factor in the water quality monitoring of surface waters, especially for determining the trophic status and ecosystem management. However, a collection of field samples for extractive analysis in a laboratory may not fully represent the field conditions. Handheld fluorometers that can measure chlorophyll-a in situ are available, but their performance in waters with a variety of potential light-interfering substances has not yet been tested. We tested a handheld fluorometer for sensitivity to ambient light and turbidity and compared these findings with EPA Method 445.0 using water samples obtained from two urban lakes in Tucson, Arizona, USA. Our results suggested that the probe was not sensitive to ambient light and performed well at low chlorophyll-a concentrations (<25 mu g/L) across a range of turbidity levels (50-70 NTU). However, the performance was lower when the chlorophyll-a concentrations were >25 mu g/L and turbidity levels were <50 NTU. To account for this discrepancy, we developed a calibration equation to use for this handheld fluorometer when field monitoring for potential harmful algal blooms in water bodies.

Automated summary

The handheld fluorometer showed good performance in measuring chlorophyll-a, being insensitive to ambient light and turbidity. It performed well at low chlorophyll-a concentrations and moderate turbidity levels, but had lower accuracy with high chlorophyll-a concentrations and low turbidity levels. A calibration equation was developed to improve accuracy in the latter conditions for field monitoring of potential harmful algal blooms.