GROUNDWATER QUALITY MONITORING - THE USE OF FLOW-THROUGH CELLS

The monitoring of groundwater quality is a necessary and growing activ ity for those concerned with groundwater resource protection. In order to gain a true understanding of changes occurring in the aquifer, it is important that monitoring is carried out properly and that reliable data are obtained. It would appear that appropriate procedures for me asuring unstable groundwater quality parameters at the well-head are n ot in common use. Field tests, with and without the utilization of a f low-through cell, clearly demonstrate the differences in parameter val ues which can be recorded. For the measurement of dissolved oxygen, re dox potential, and pH in the field, a flow-through cell must be used, otherwise data are not likely to be of use. The use of a flow-through cell also enhances purging and sampling procedures during the monitori ng of other groundwater quality parameters.