Musselmonitor

Introduction

The 'Musselmonitor' (in Dutch called Mosselmonitor®) is a biological sensor for continuous on-line monitoring of surface waters, effluents, drinking water intakes, even of seawater. This system will evaluate the water quality also for compounds that are not tested through routine chemical analyses. Therefore, it is a broad spectrum sensor that operates unattended for weeks, 24 hours per day. At the occurrence of sudden pollution, the system will generate within minutes an alarm signal, which may induce automated sampling.

A remarkable feature of the Musselmonitor is, that eight living organisms (bivalves) are used as sensors. Under normal conditions the shells of mussels are open to allow respiration and feeding. Under adverse environmental conditions (pollution) the valves will close: the organisms is hiding from the hostile environment (escape behaviour). This valve movement is used as a biological effect parameter.

Kees Kramer of Mermayde, as one of the developers of the Musselmonitor, has been involved in many implementations of this Biological Early Warning System (BEWS).

Bivalves used include the freshwater zebra mussel (Dreissena polymorpha) and the marine blue mussel (Mytilus edulis), but also other mussels, clams and oysters are used successfully.

The Musselmonitor comes in two different forms (see figures below):

• an in situ version that can be employed directly in the aquatic environment (left)
• a flow-through version, for installation inside a monitoring station, laboratory, etc. (right).

The monitor is a stand alone unit; it contains all electronics required for measurement, data evaluation and communication. For data storage any PC can be used.

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For more technical details and sales or leasing: contact the producer AquaDect (info@aquadect.nl).

For an illustration of the system, employed at a drinking water application: see this example.

Information about Mermayde or any question: Contact us.

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