Quick and Easy Detection of Organic Pollutants

The STS SMF4 Fluorimeter allows instant quantification of Tryptophan, a surrogate for BOD, in water samples on-site, allowing immediate decisions to instant readings on-site without laboratory analysis costs and timescale took regarding water quality and control actions.

The great benefit of the SMF4 is the speed of measurement enabling large surveys to be undertaken, recorded, and analyzed within a matter of hours, whilst also giving real-time information on immediate pollution issues.

The design of the SMF4 draws heavily on the research carried out by Prof Andy Baker and his team at the University of New South Wales & formerly Birmingham University (UK), who showed that Tryptophan is an excellent indicator of anthropogenic pollution and that its measurement by fluorescence was straightforward. Further research allowed strong correlations to be made between tryptophan and the standard Biological Oxygen Demand test, but with an instant result rather than a 5-day delay.

Common Sources of Illicit/Illegal Discharges:

Buildings improperly plumbed
Leaking service laterals and sanitary sewers
Uncapped building traps and cleanouts
Septic tank issues
Spills and illegal dumping
Cross connected sewers
Sanitary sewer overflows