YSI 9600 - Manual (Page 88)

SECTION 17 FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
GENERAL
What is the Model 9600 designed to do?
The YSI 9600 Nitrate Monitor is a powerful instrument that allows the user to continuously record nitrate
levels at a variable sample interval and thus provides a much greater capability to detect nutrient events
than the spot sampling activities which have historically been carried out. The software associated with the
system allows easy user set-up for most nitrate monitoring studies whether the nitrate at the site is expected
to be typical (0-5 mg/L of nitrate-N) or high (5 mg/L and up of nitrate-N). The 9600 is not designed for
spot sampling of nitrate since the minimal interval between samples is 15 minutes.
What are the key competitive features of the 9600?
• Works on standard cadmium reduction/diazotization principle. Standard Methods #4500-NO
3
- E.
• Can be custom configured relative to detector cell for most freshwater applications (2 mm) or for most
estuarine and near coastal applications (10 mm).
• Easy-to-use software for simple set-up and deployment
• Easy access to reagent bags and internal battery pack for field replacement
• Good battery life (approx. 70 days at a 1 hour sample interval at 20 C) with internal D-cell battery
pack. Also can be powered by 12 V car battery, AC adapter, or data collection platform for longer
deployments
• SDI-12 and RS-232 interfaces standard for use with computers and data collection platforms
• Automatic calibration at user-selected interval. Calibration points do not affect data continuity for
sample intervals of 30 minutes and greater
• Waste system included with instrument to avoid cadmium 2+
discharge into the environment
• Minimal waste volume because of pump design
How does the 9600 measure nitrate?
To accurately measure nitrate, the 9600 uses flow injection technology combined with a chemical reaction
sequence which is defined in literature from both the USEPA and Standard Methods for the Examination of
Water and Wastewater. The intensity of the color produced by the chemical reaction sequence is
determined by standard absorbance spectroscopy and compared to that of a standard of known
concentration in order to quantify the amount of nitrate in an environmental sample. The use of flow
injection technology minimizes the amount of reagents required and the amount of waste generated.
Do I have to make any configuration decisions when ordering the 9600?
You must specify which detector cell will be factory installed in your 9600. The 9600-02 uses a 2 mm
detector cell while the 9600-10 uses a 10 mm cell.
YSI Environmental 88 Model 9600 Nitrate Monitor