PHYTO-PAM

Phytoplankton Analyzer System

The PHYTO-PAM not only allows to determine the content of active chlorophyll in natural surface waters down to 0.1 μg Chl/l, but also to differentiate between differently pigmented groups of algae (green algae, diatoms and cyanobacteria). Furthermore, the photosynthetic performance and light-adaptational state of the various types of phytoplankton can be assessed.

Fluorescence is excited alternatingly at high repetition rates by μsec pulses of 470, 520, 645 and 665 nm light originating from light emitting diodes (LED). A miniature photomultiplier detector serves for extremely sensitive fluorescence detection. It is protected against light damage by automatic switch-off circuitry.

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Three alternative PHYTO-PAM system versions with different emitter detector units are available for different types of samples. They are all based on the same central Power-and-Control-Unit PHYTO-C:

•  MODULAR version with separate LED-array cones for measuring light and actinic illumination, featuring a 10 x 10 mm cuvette for homogeneous illumination.

•  COMPACT version as more portable unit for field applications, with all optoelectronical components being mounted in one miniature housing, featuring 15 mm Ø round cuvette.

•  FIBER version is using a focusing fiber optic for periphyton and microphytobenthos measurements.

A Spherical Micro Quantum Sensor US-SQS and a cosine corrected Mini Quantum Sensor US-MQS is available to measure photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) within the two types of cuvettes or at the fiberoptics exit to calibrate the light list of the PHYTO-PAM.

Additionally two types of miniature stirrers are available for the PHYTO-ED and PHYTO-US unit.