ANTARCTIC PENINSULA, Antarctica, Feb. 1, 2008 -- The water was near freezing, but HM Digital's water testing instruments dutifully provided the scientist with the required data.
After months of preparation, the Environmental, Biochemical and Nutritional Analytical-Control Research Group of the University of Granada finally reached Antarctica for their expedition to analyze pollution in Antarctic waters. The expedition was financed by the Spanish Ministry of Education and will last for one month, beginning in mid-January.
The aim of the project is to collect and analyze water samples, for 33 parameters set by the European Union. Many of these parameters will be tested once the samples are returned to Europe, but for on-site testing, the expedition has chosen HM Digital's COM-100 and PH-200. Both meters are waterproof and durable, with long-lasting batteries, quick response times and large, easy-to-read screens, all of which are necessary in a place that experiences the worst weather on the planet. The COM-100 will test the conductivity and TDS levels of the Antarctica water samples, and the PH-200 will test the pH levels. And with their highly advanced automatic temperature compensation (ATC) programs, the meters will be able to handle the extreme temperatures of the water they're placed into.
"In such chilly conditions, it was important for us to find the right instruments that would be reliable and accurate," said Dr. Fernández-Sánchez, one of the leaders of the expedition. "The HM Digital sensors have worked very well, even in the near-freezing waters. Analyzing the Antarctic waters is an important venture that will hopefully lead to solutions for global warming and world pollution."
"We couldn't be happier that HM Digital's instruments were chosen for this expedition," said Charles Lee, HM Digital's Managing Director. "We have sold tens of thousands of meters on every other continent, but I never thought they'd go to Antarctica. It's truly quite an accomplishment. Knowing that our instruments may help provide answers to one of the greatest challenges of our times is an honor."
The team of scientists on the expedition will be visiting five locations on Antarctica for collecting and testing water samples. They will be returning to Spain in the middle of February and will present their results soon after in the months following.
HM Digital Inc. is a leading manufacturer of water testing instruments, including the company's popular TDS-3 and TDS-4 meters.
For more information on the Spanish Expedition to Antarctica, see: http://www.ugr.es/~fqm²97/index-ant.htm.
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