JMAR

More precise nitrate measurement in boreholes

A new measurement technology has been developed for more precise measurement of nitrate in boreholes.The method was developed by the Aarhus-based company Just Measure in cooperation with Aalborg Forsyning, one of Denmark's largest utilities, and verified by the Danish Technological Institute (the report can be obtained in Danish and English).The method makes it possible to measure the nitrate content metre by metre down through a borehole - a technology that opens up entirely new possibilities for both new and existing abstraction wells.

For a nitrate variation assessment, water samples are traditionally taken at the top and bottom of a well.This, however, gives no information about how the nitrate content varies with depth, and therefore no certainty about where in the well the best water qualities are found.

With Just Measure's nitrate probe (Just Measure Robotics, JMAR), three measurements per metre can now be performed all the way down and back up along the casing.The result is a detailed vertical nitrate profile that provides unprecedented insight into the borehole's geochemistry.

This increases the certainty that a new well is fitted with its filter correctly the first time.

The vertical nitrate measurements can subsequently be compared with the other collected borehole data.On that basis, it is possible to more precisely:

• Determine the optimal placement of the filter
• Assess the required filter length
• Maximise the volume of pumped water at the best possible quality

Therefore: With the JMAR nitrate probe, it becomes possible to identify and utilise groundwater layers with low nitrate concentrations.