Saturometer
A saturometer (after saturation, neulat. = Saturation), also known as a tensionometer depending on the manufacturer , is a measuring device used in fishing technology that can be used to determine how much gas (air or other gases) is dissolved in the water. This measurement is important to avoid gas bubble disease in fish in fish farms , aquariums and ornamental fish ponds .
Saturometer in fishing and aquaristics
A saturometer consists of a thin silicone tube, usually 0.1 mm in inner diameter, which is wound on a carrier and immersed in the water to be measured. At its end, a pressure sensor records the pressure that is established in the hose through the diffusion of gas molecules between the water and the interior of the hose. The difference to the air pressure is displayed. With older devices, a mechanical pressure cell is used for the display (Weiss-Saturometer from Eco-Enterprises). In more modern models, a piezo-electronic pressure sensor records the measured variable.
If more gases are dissolved in the water than corresponds to the solution equilibrium with the air, an overpressure builds up in the hose compared to the current air pressure. In this case, the Saturometer shows a positive reading. One speaks of gas oversaturation . In this case, gas bubbles can form in the water or in a fish that swims in this water and grow to macroscopic size. Therefore, such bubbles can form in the skin or blood vessels of the fish, causing gas bubble disease .
Other devices called saturometers
In medical technology , so-called pulse oxygen meters are also known as saturometers . It is a combination of a red light emitting LED and a red sensitive photodiode . This combination is clamped to a finger or an earlobe with the help of a clamp device. The oxygen-rich blood reflects more red light than "desaturated" blood. In this way, the oxygen saturation of the blood can be monitored and registered without taking any blood.
In water chemistry , devices used to be called saturometers , with the help of which one could determine whether a water sample is saturated with dissolved lime or whether aggressive carbonic acid is still present in the water.
literature
- Fickeisen, DH, Schneider, MJ, Montgomery, JC, 1975. A comparative evaluation of the Weiss saturometer. Trans.Am.Fish.Soc. 4: 816-820
- Bouck, GR, Gasometer: An inexpensive device for continuous monitoring of dissolved gases and supersaturation. Trans.Am.Fish.Soc. 111: 505-516, 1982
- Weiss, RF, (1970) The solubility of nitrogen, oxygen and argon in water and seawater. Deep-Sea Res. 17,721-735