Although ICP-OES is a powerful method for measuring the levels of individual elements, many of the important parameters in reef keeping (e.g. alkalinity or nutrients) cannot be directly measured with this method. For this reason, the Oceamo Seawater Analysis subjects each sample to an array of additional measurements, including testing your RO/DI water if required. Ion chromatography (with conductivity and UV detection) is used to measure fluoride, nitrate and nitrite with very low detection limits. Salinity is determined using a conductivity sensor, and alkalinity determined titrimetrically. Phosphate is measured with a sensitive photometric method which determines accurate and sensitive data on this important parameter.
 
ICP is a powerful tool for measuring the levels of individual elements in a sample, including trace elements present at low levels in seawater. However, the usual analysis of unfiltered samples can lead to major errors in the levels of trace elements. To remove this contamination and provide clean samples suitable for ICP analysis, only the Oceamo Seawater Analysis service includes a customized sampling kit. The kit includes a syringe filter that effectively removes any particles as small as bacteria.
 
These filtered samples provide data without the contamination from small particles that can otherwise produce substantial errors in these measurements. ICP analysis of the samples collected using the Oceamo kit produces reliable data on the levels of essential macro elements, trace elements and pollutants in the water.