Abstract: Provided herein are buoys comprising a floatable support having an upper surface and a lower surface, the upper surface formed from a plurality of outer faces and a central orifice, wherein at least one outer face has a surface shape that is flat to prevent rolling of the floatable support around a longitudinal axis of the floatable support; an outer tube connected to the floatable support that is positioned in the central orifice having: an upper portion extending past the upper surface, and a lower portion extending past the lower surface; and an inner tube telescopingly connected to the outer tube so that a depth of a lower end of the inner tube relative to the floatable support is controllably adjustable, wherein the inner tube comprises a depth-adjustable instrument receiving volume configured to protectably receive a water quality instrument.

Abstract: Provided are load bearing universal adaptors for connecting electrical cables in a watertight configuration. The mechanical advantage associated with wedges in a tapered cavity ensures that load is appropriately transferred to the walls of the wedge housing. In this manner, a load applied to the electrical cable is at least partially provided to the walls of the system rather than acting to pull the cable out of the adaptor, and the object to which the adaptor is connected, such as a terminal block.

Abstract: Provided is a cleanable conductivity sensor and related methods having a distal sensing end in which active sensing elements are positioned and an outer fin specially configured to minimize unwanted interference without impacting the ability for automated cleaning of the distal sensing end. A rotatable wiper or brush may be periodically rotated over the distal sensing end, thereby removing unwanted biological build-up and avoiding fouling, thereby increasing the sensor deployment time without active intervention and maintenance.

Abstract: Provided herein is a differential temperature sensor which utilizes multiple temperature sensors to quickly and accurately calculate ambient fluid temperature with a reduced response time. The provided systems and methods utilize a first fluid temperature sensor and a second probe temperature sensor to account for the thermal impact of the device on the ambient fluid temperature and the effect of heat within the device, or temperature difference between the probe and fluid temperature, on the first fluid temperature sensor measurement.

Abstract: Provided are multi-parameter sonde systems having a unique integrated user interface for ease of set-up and control, service and maintenance, even in the field and without accessory controllers. The necessary components, such as central processing unit, display and accelerometer are positioned in a water-tight housing, with the display configured for convenient observability and readability. A plurality of sensors provide electronic signals to the CPU, such as by a measurement subsystem. Upon a controlled change in orientation or a force application to the sonde, the display via the accelerometer provides a desired output display configuration.

Abstract: Provided are load bearing universal adaptors for connecting electrical cables in a watertight configuration. The mechanical advantage associated with wedges in a tapered cavity ensures that load is appropriately transferred to the walls of the wedge housing. In this manner, a load applied to the electrical cable is at least partially provided to the walls of the system rather than acting to pull the cable out of the adaptor, and the object to which the adaptor is connected, such as a terminal block.

Abstract: Provided are load bearing universal adaptors for connecting electrical cables in a watertight configuration. The mechanical advantage associated with wedges in a tapered cavity ensures that load is appropriately transferred to the walls of the wedge housing and, as the load increases, the gripping force on the electrical cable increases. In this manner, a load applied to the electrical cable is at least partially provided to the walls of the system rather than acting to pull the cable out of the adaptor, and the object to which the adaptor is connected, such as a terminal block.

Abstract: Provided herein is a differential temperature sensor which utilizes multiple temperature sensors to quickly and accurately calculate ambient fluid temperature with a reduced response time. The provided systems and methods utilize a first fluid temperature sensor and a second probe temperature sensor to account for the thermal impact of the device on the ambient fluid temperature and the effect of heat within the device, or temperature difference between the probe and fluid temperature, on the first fluid temperature sensor measurement.

Abstract: Provided herein is a differential temperature sensor which utilizes multiple temperature sensors to quickly and accurately calculate ambient fluid temperature with a reduced response time. The provided systems and methods utilize a first fluid temperature sensor and a second probe temperature sensor to account for the thermal impact of the device on the ambient fluid temperature and the effect of heat within the device, or temperature difference between the probe and fluid temperature, on the first fluid temperature sensor measurement.

Abstract: Provided are load bearing universal adaptors for connecting electrical cables in a watertight configuration. The mechanical advantage associated with wedges in a tapered cavity ensures that load is appropriately transferred to the walls of the wedge housing and, as the load increases, the gripping force on the electrical cable increases. In this manner, a load applied to the electrical cable is at least partially provided to the walls of the system rather than acting to pull the cable out of the adaptor, and the object to which the adaptor is connected, such as a terminal block.

Abstract: Provided are low flow groundwater fluid sampling systems and related methods of collecting fluid samples, including a low flow pump, flow cell, waste container and a communication device in communication with those components. In this manner, the low flow pump may be controlled to ensure a desired constant flow-rate is achieved, and a remote operator may monitor the status of fluid being pumped to the flow cell with the communication device, such as with a portable electronic device, including a smart phone. The system may alert the operator that fluid is ready to be collected for sampling, including at an off-site laboratory. Particularly useful applications are for monitoring groundwater quality and contamination.

Abstract: Provided is a cleanable conductivity sensor and related methods having a distal sensing end in which active sensing elements are positioned and an outer fin specially configured to minimize unwanted interference without impacting the ability for automated cleaning of the distal sensing end. A rotatable wiper or brush may be periodically rotated over the distal sensing end, thereby removing unwanted biological build-up and avoiding fouling, thereby increasing the sensor deployment time without active intervention and maintenance.

Abstract: Provided are multi-parameter sonde systems having a unique integrated user interface for ease of set-up and control, service and maintenance, even in the field and without accessory controllers. The necessary components, such as central processing unit, display and accelerometer are positioned in a water-tight housing, with the display configured for convenient observability and readability. A plurality of sensors provide electronic signals to the CPU, such as by a measurement subsystem. Upon a controlled change in orientation or a force application to the sonde, the display via the accelerometer provides a desired output display configuration.

Abstract: Provided are turbidometers and fluorometers having a unique form-factor to accommodate a number of optical components in a confined geometry. This provides the ability to compensate for change in light intensity from an optical source even in a closed-loop manner. The ability to package reference and signal detectors, along with a relatively large diameter LED light source in a confined geometry is particularly suited for applications requiring small-diameter sensors, such as multi-parameter sonde devices having a total diameter that is in the sub-two inch range.

Abstract: Provided are multi-parameter sonde systems having a unique form-factor, wherein the plurality of sensors are arranged in a tight-fit configuration. This provides a single distal sensing surface and minimal separation distance between adjacent sensors. The sensors may be pie shaped with an interlocking feature to tightly hold the sensors together, with a sensor guard disposed over the outer surface of the interlocked sensors. Sensor-guards disclosed herein may have an integrated sensor storage and sensor guard configuration, thereby avoiding a need for a separate storage cup and that are configured to minimize unwanted biological growth. Also provided are uniquely shaped individual sensors having interlocking features to hold several sensors together in a sonde.

Abstract: Provided are multi-parameter sonde systems having a unique integrated user interface for ease of set-up and control, service and maintenance, even in the field and without accessory controllers. The necessary components, such as central processing unit, display and accelerometer are positioned in a water-tight housing, with the display configured for convenient observability and readability. A plurality of sensors provide electronic signals to the CPU, such as by a measurement subsystem. Upon a controlled change in orientation or a force application to the sonde, the display via the accelerometer provides a desired output display configuration.

Abstract: Provided is a cleanable conductivity sensor and related methods having a distal sensing end in which active sensing elements are positioned and an outer fin specially configured to minimize unwanted interference without impacting the ability for automated cleaning of the distal sensing end. A rotatable wiper or brush may be periodically rotated over the distal sensing end, thereby removing unwanted biological build-up and avoiding fouling, thereby increasing the sensor deployment time without active intervention and maintenance.

Abstract: Provided are low flow groundwater fluid sampling systems and related methods of collecting fluid samples, including a low flow pump, flow cell, waste container and a communication device in communication with those components. In this manner, the low flow pump may be controlled to ensure a desired constant flow-rate is achieved, and a remote operator may monitor the status of fluid being pumped to the flow cell with the communication device, such as with a portable electronic device, including a smart phone. The system may alert the operator that fluid is ready to be collected for sampling, including at an off-site laboratory. Particularly useful applications are for monitoring groundwater quality and contamination.

Abstract: Provided are low flow groundwater fluid sampling systems and related methods of collecting fluid samples, including a low flow pump, flow cell, waste container and a communication device in communication with those components. In this manner, the low flow pump may be controlled to ensure a desired constant flow-rate is achieved, and a remote operator may monitor the status of fluid being pumped to the flow cell with the communication device, such as with a portable electronic device, including a smart phone. The system may alert the operator that fluid is ready to be collected for sampling, including at an off-site laboratory. Particularly useful applications are for monitoring groundwater quality and contamination.