Carolina NeuLog Nitrate Ion-Selective - Manual

NEULOG NITRATE SENSOR GUIDE
NeuLog nitrate sensor
NUL-241
Carolina # 369670
The NeuLog nitrate ion sensor can be used for any science experiment or activity
which can utilize nitrate concentration readings such as in the fields of Environmental
Science, Ecology, Chemistry, Biology, etc.
Just a few of the thousands of possible experimental subjects that can be done with
the NUL-241 sensors are: chemical reactions, water quality, environmental health,
small animal behavior, ecological studies, and many more
The nitrate sensor uses the following units of measure:
 Milligrams per liter (mg/L): SI unit of measure for density of a solid dissolved
in a liquid.
 Parts per million (ppm): The total amount of a specific molecule (nitrate for
example) per million molecules in a sample.
Nitrate sensor usage:
The nitrate sensor’s electrode uses a PermaFil (non-refillable), Ion-selective electrode.
The reference chamber is gel filled and sealed and therefore no reference fill solution
is required.
Usage guide:
Concentration range
1M to 7x10 -6 M
0.1 to 14,000 ppm as N
pH range 2.5 to 11 pH
Temperature range 0 to 50°C
Minimum sample size 3mL in a 50 mL beaker
Reproducibility ±4%
Electrode resistance 1 to 4 megaohms
Required equipment:
 Wash bottle with distilled or deionized water.
 Several clean beakers.
 1 mL, 10 mL, and 100 mL pipettes.
Technical notes:
 All standard solutions should be prepared fresh.
 The standards should be at the same temperature as the sample.
 Use ISA in all solutions.
Note: ISA is added to all solutions to ensure the samples and standards
have the same ionic strength. The ratio is 1:50
Electrode preparation:
1. Remove the protective cap encasing the nitrate probe’s electrode.
CAUTION: Do not touch the PVC membrane at the end of the probe
with your fingers
2. Rinse the electrode with deionized water and blot dry. Be sure not to rub as
this will harm the sensor.
3. Soak the electrode in deionized water for 10 minutes, then in a diluted
nitrate standard solution (either 0.0001 M or 1 ppm) until ready for use.
Calibration:
Be sure to calibrate the nitrate sensor once daily during periods of regular usage.
1. Prepare the electrode as described in the “Electrode preparation” guide
above.
2. Place 97 mL of deionized water into a 150 mL beaker.
3. Add 2 mL of Ionic Strength Adjustor (ISA) (comes with sensor).
4. Rinse the electrode with deionized water and blot dry and place in the 150
mL beaker.
5. Pipette 1 mL of 1000 ppm nitrate standard solution (comes with sensor) and
stir thoroughly.
6. In the NeuLog software, once the sensor has been detected, click on the
nitrate sensor icon.
7. After a stable reading has been reached, click on the calibrate button, or
hold the “Start/Stop” button located on the sensors faceplate down for 4
seconds.
8. Rinse electrode once more with deionized water and blot dry.
9. The nitrate sensor is now calibrated and ready for use.