Automatic Trace Metal System (atms)

摘要

Up to now it has not been possible automatically to monitor the level of heavy metals (trace metals) in waters because no acceptable analytical methods have been available. It has been required to collect samples in the field to be taken to a proper laboratory for analyses. The disadvantages are obvious. The reasons for the absence of such methods have been the lack of long term stability of the measurements, sufficient sensitivity and the requirement of not to use toxic chemicals for the analyses.rnAfter about 12 years of research at Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), acceptable methods have been developed. After several years of testing in the laboratory as well as in stations in the field, the company SensAqua AS was established to make the equipment available commercially. Several automatic measuring stations are now established. Some of the most important advantages are the possibilities of "early-warning" systems to be warned if unexpected high levels of heavy metals are present. It is also possible to have the results on the Internet, immediately available to the general public. The methods are patented in several countries. SensAqua (Norway) has agents/representatives in many countries, but we also want representatives elsewhere, like in the UK and USA.