UWITEC IWS Integral Water Sampler
| Origin | Austria |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer Type | Authorized Distributor |
| Origin Category | Imported |
| Model | UWITEC IWS |
| Pricing | Available Upon Request |
Overview
The UWITEC IWS Integral Water Sampler is an engineered field instrument designed for depth-integrated, proportional water sampling across vertical water columns in lakes, reservoirs, estuaries, and marine environments. It operates on a mechanical, gear-driven piston principle—eliminating reliance on batteries, electronics, or external power sources—ensuring operational reliability under remote or harsh conditions. As the sampler descends, its weighted chain drives a precision gear train that linearly retracts a PTFE-coated piston within a transparent borosilicate glass sampling tube. This motion creates a continuous, meter-proportional suction force, drawing water at a constant volumetric rate per unit depth. The result is a physically representative composite sample where each meter of the target profile contributes a precisely defined volume—500 mL per meter over 10 m or 250 mL per meter over 20 m—yielding a total integrated sample of 5 L. This approach satisfies ISO 5667-10 (2022) requirements for representative vertical profiling in limnological and hydrological monitoring.
Key Features
- Mechanically actuated, battery-free operation ensures fail-safe performance during extended deployments or in low-temperature or high-salinity environments.
- Borosilicate glass sampling tube (Ø 60 mm × 1000 mm) provides optical clarity for visual inspection and chemical inertness for trace-metal-sensitive applications.
- PTFE-sealed stainless-steel piston guarantees minimal adsorption and consistent volumetric displacement across repeated cycles.
- Depth-selectable start point: initiation can be triggered manually at surface or via hydrostatic release at pre-set depths using UWITEC’s standard trigger mechanism (e.g., pressure-actuated or cable-pull release).
- Compatible with standard oceanographic winches and A-frame deployment systems; maximum operating depth rated to 200 m (pressure-tested).
- Modular design allows rapid cleaning, sterilization (autoclavable up to 121°C), and field replacement of seals and pistons without specialized tools.
Sample Compatibility & Compliance
The IWS is validated for use with freshwater, brackish, and seawater matrices—including high-turbidity sediments and phytoplankton-rich epilimnia—without clogging or flow bias. Its non-electric, low-shear sampling path preserves fragile particulates, dissolved gas equilibria, and microbial community integrity better than pump-based or peristaltic alternatives. The device conforms to ISO 5667-10:2022 (Water quality — Sampling — Part 10: Guidance on sampling in lakes, reservoirs and other standing waters) and supports compliance with EU WFD (Water Framework Directive) monitoring programs. When used with certified clean handling protocols (e.g., acid-washed glassware, nitrogen-purged transport), it meets US EPA Method 1664B and ASTM D3370 requirements for integrated grab sampling in regulatory water quality assessment.
Software & Data Management
While the IWS itself is fully mechanical and requires no firmware or embedded software, UWITEC provides complementary digital workflow support through the UWITEC FieldLog Suite (v3.2+). This Windows-based application enables operators to log deployment metadata—including GPS coordinates, date/time stamps, bathymetric profile, target depth range, trigger depth, and operator ID—in structured CSV or XML formats compatible with LIMS (Laboratory Information Management Systems). All entries are timestamped and support audit-trail generation per GLP and ISO/IEC 17025:2017 documentation requirements. Optional Bluetooth-enabled depth sensors (e.g., UWITEC DS-200) may be paired to auto-record real-time descent/ascent profiles synchronized with sample acquisition events.
Applications
- Vertical nutrient profiling (e.g., NO₃⁻, PO₄³⁻, SiO₂) in stratified lakes and reservoirs.
- Trace metal speciation studies requiring contamination-free, depth-integrated filtration prior to ICP-MS analysis.
- Microplastic abundance quantification across water column layers using standardized 5-L composite volumes.
- Phytoplankton biomass and community structure assessment via integrated chlorophyll-a and pigment analysis.
- Calibration and validation of in situ CTD-mounted optical sensors (e.g., turbidity, CDOM, fluorescence).
- Baseline monitoring for environmental impact assessments (EIAs) and long-term ecological research networks (e.g., GLEON, ILTER).
FAQ
How is depth integration achieved without electronic controls?
The IWS uses gravity-driven chain rotation to mechanically synchronize piston travel with descent velocity—ensuring fixed volume per meter regardless of winch speed or current-induced drift.
Can the IWS be used for anaerobic water column sampling?
Yes—when deployed with UWITEC’s optional N₂-purge adapter and stopcock-equipped cap, it maintains anoxic conditions during retrieval for sulfide or methane analysis.
What maintenance is required between deployments?
Rinse thoroughly with deionized water; inspect piston seal for nicks; replace O-rings annually or after 50 deployments—full service kit (PN: IWS-MK2) includes calibrated spares and torque-spec tooling.
Is the 5 L capacity configurable for smaller volumes?
No—the 5 L total is fixed by tube geometry and piston stroke; however, users may collect partial integrations (e.g., 0–5 m only) by adjusting trigger depth and retrieving early.
Does UWITEC provide calibration certification?
Each unit ships with a factory-verified volumetric calibration report (traceable to PTB, Germany) covering linearity, repeatability (±1.2% RSD, n=10), and depth-proportionality across 1–20 m ranges.
