Palintest Arsenator Digital Arsenic Analyzer

Overview

The Palintest Arsenator Digital Arsenic Analyzer is a field-deployable electrochemical instrument engineered for rapid, on-site quantification of dissolved inorganic arsenic (As(III) and total As after pre-reduction) in drinking water, groundwater, and surface water samples. Unlike colorimetric or traditional arsenic spot test methods, the Arsenator employs anodic stripping voltammetry (ASV)—a highly selective and sensitive electroanalytical technique that enables trace-level detection with robust interference rejection. ASV operates by first electrodepositing arsenic onto a mercury-film-modified working electrode at a controlled negative potential, followed by oxidative stripping under a linearly scanned voltage ramp. The resulting current peak is directly proportional to arsenic concentration, delivering quantitative results with high reproducibility and low method detection limits—well within the World Health Organization’s provisional guideline value of 10 µg/L for arsenic in potable water.

Key Features

• Portable, battery-powered design (9 V PP3, included) enabling operation in remote or off-grid locations without AC infrastructure.
• Integrated microprocessor-controlled potentiostat with automatic calibration and electrode cleaning cycles to ensure measurement consistency across repeated field use.
• Dedicated mercury-film carbon electrode assembly optimized for arsenic speciation sensitivity and resistance to common matrix interferences (e.g., Cu²⁺, Fe³⁺, Zn²⁺).
• On-device digital display showing real-time current response and final concentration (µg/L) with 1 µg/L resolution.
• Pre-programmed assay protocols compliant with ISO 8678:2019 (Water quality — Determination of arsenic — Electrochemical method using anodic stripping voltammetry).
• Ruggedized housing rated IP65 for dust and water jet resistance, suitable for tropical, arid, or humid environmental conditions.

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The Arsenator is validated for use with raw and treated drinking water, shallow well water, and borehole samples. Samples require minimal pretreatment: filtration through a 0.45 µm membrane filter and pH adjustment to 2.0–3.0 using supplied buffer solution to ensure optimal As(III) stability and electrode response. It meets functional equivalence to EPA Method 7196A (for total arsenic) and supports adherence to national regulatory frameworks aligned with WHO, EU Drinking Water Directive (2020/2184), and US EPA 100-series guidelines. All firmware and data handling comply with GLP documentation requirements, including timestamped result logging and user-accessible audit trails.

Software & Data Management

Data export is supported via USB-C interface to standard Windows/macOS systems. Palintest Connect Desktop Software (v3.2+) provides secure CSV export, batch reporting, calibration history tracking, and customizable certificate generation—including fields for analyst ID, sample ID, location GPS coordinates (when paired with external GNSS), and QC flagging (e.g., “dilution applied”, “matrix spike passed”). The software enforces 21 CFR Part 11-compliant electronic signatures and role-based access control for multi-user laboratory or NGO deployment scenarios.

Applications

• Routine surveillance of community water supplies in endemic arsenic-affected regions (e.g., Bangladesh, West Bengal, Argentina, Chile).
• Field validation of arsenic removal system performance (e.g., iron oxide filters, activated alumina units, coagulation-filtration plants).
• Emergency response monitoring following natural disasters where groundwater contamination risk is elevated.
• Academic and NGO-led hydrogeological surveys requiring high-throughput, trace-metal screening with documented metrological traceability.
• Regulatory compliance verification during third-party audits or WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) program evaluations.

FAQ

What sample volume is required for analysis?
A 10 mL aliquot of filtered, acidified water sample is sufficient for each determination.
Does the instrument measure As(III) only, or total arsenic?
The default mode measures As(III). Total arsenic is determined after on-board chemical reduction of As(V) to As(III) using L-cysteine reagent—protocol included in the kit manual.
How often must the electrode be reconditioned?
The mercury film is automatically renewed before each analysis; no manual polishing or replacement is required for up to 420 tests per kit.
Is training provided with purchase?
Yes—Palintest offers certified online operator training modules and downloadable SOPs compliant with ISO/IEC 17025:2017 clause 6.2.5 (personnel competence).
Can the Arsenator be used for wastewater or seawater?
Not recommended without matrix-specific validation; high chloride or organic load may suppress signal or foul the electrode surface. Validation studies for saline matrices are available upon request from Palintest Technical Support.