Its meaning is quite broad, but in simple terms, a sonde is any device used to test physical conditions. Depending on the dictionary, the definition can extend to use at high altitudes, beneath the earth’s surface, or inside the human body. Another definition suggests it specifically refers to the part of a logging tool that contains the measurement sensors.
In the water industry, the term describes a measurement device with one or more sensors for detecting conditions in water. At Proteus Instruments, we have developed a longstanding multi-parameter sonde that uses unique fluorescence technology to combine traditional monitoring parameters with those historically only capable of measurement in laboratories to provide real-time data in the field.
Multi-parameter sondes have become central to the shift in monitoring practices, moving from reliance on laboratories and single-use field kits to in-situ, rapid measurements that provide essential context and insight into our aquatic environments.
Did you know?
The word “sonde” comes from French and first became widely used in the 1940s.
What does a water quality sonde measure?
Water quality sondes are designed to measure a range of environmental parameters that help scientists and water managers understand the health and condition of a water body. Rather than relying on individual handheld meters or laboratory testing alone, a sonde can monitor multiple characteristics simultaneously while deployed directly in the water.
Some of the most commonly measured parameters include temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH, conductivity, and turbidity.
How do multi-parameter sondes work?
Multi-parameter sondes are designed to house several sensors within a single instrument, allowing them to collect a range of water quality measurements at the same time. Each sensor within the sonde is responsible for monitoring a specific parameter and operates using a technology suited to that measurement, such as optical, or fluorescence-based sensing.
At Proteus Instruments, multi-parameter sondes utilise innovative technology to measure parameters that were historically only possible to analyse in laboratory settings. By integrating these capabilities into a single field-deployable device, users are able to access rapid, reliable insights into water quality directly from the environment being monitored.