The USGS Water Mission Area (WMA) Next Generation Water Observing System (NGWOS), is offering a funding opportunity to a CESU partner for a laboratory evaluation of a multi-parameter standard solution for water-quality analysis. The standard solution, recently patented by the USGS (US 11,768,160), is a combination of a xanthene dye, distyryl biphenyl (DSBP) and a pH buffer that is intended as a quick, easy, and stable standard solution for the verification and/or calibration of field sensor performance. The standard solution can be used to calibration several field sensors at once including sensors for fluorescent dissolved organic matter (fDOM, e.g. excitation at 350 nm and emission at 450 nm) and chlorophyll-a fluorescence (excitation at 465 nm and emission at 665 nm).
Research Objectives and Tasks: The objective of this funding opportunity is to test a standard solution for chemical stability of time and a range of temperatures. There are two primary tasks:
Task 1 Determine the chemical stability of a standard solution provided by the USGS over a period of 90+ days with testing at intervals of at least weekly for relevant chemical properties;
Task 2 Determine the chemical stability of a standard solution provided by the USGS over a range of temperatures from 0 to 30 degrees Celsius;
Task 3 Determine the chemical stability of a standard solution provided by the USGS as influenced by physical agitation such as stirring and shaking.
Funding Source: USGS
Current Closing Date for Applications: Dec 13, 2023 Electronically submitted applications must be submitted no later than 5:00 p.m., ET, on the listed application due date.
For more information see the posting on the Grants.gov website