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2003, 2005 YSI Environmental +1 937 767 7241 Fax +1 937 767 9353 environmental@ysi.com www.ysi.com
0201 T602
Y S I Environmental Pure Data for a Healthy Planet. Tech Note
The second study pertains to a very clear, spring-fed 12-acre When unusual or unexpected sensor readings are encountered in
lake which contains a variety of weeds and suspended algae. environmental water, it is important to have post-study quality
Again, dissolved oxygen readings above 100% air saturation are assurance data to prove that the sensor was functioning properly.
common. Standard YSI QA forms are provided with the data plots to show
that the sensors did not drift signicantly during the studies
and that the DO data are reliable. Note that the DO drifts (as
determined by placing the sensor in air-saturated water or water-
saturated air after the study) were -5%, -2%, and +1.8 % for the
three studies, respectively.
Summary
Dissolved oxygen readings of greater than 100% air saturation can
occur in environmental water because of the production of pure
oxygen by photosynthetically-active organisms and/or because
of non-ideal equilibration of dissolved oxygen between the water
and the air above it. In YSIs experience, this over saturation is
quite common, with photosynthesis being the factor most often
responsible for its existence.
While it is clear that readings greater than 100% air saturation are
possible in environmental water, only a well-dened standardized
quality assurance program will provide conrmation that the over
The third study shows data from a small farm pond that has a saturated readings are correct and not due to calibration error
very high algal content. It can be seen from the data taken in this or sensor malfunction.
study that readings well over 200% air saturation were observed
during the study.
2003, 2005 YSI Environmental +1 937 767 7241 Fax +1 937 767 9353 environmental@ysi.com www.ysi.com
0201 T602