Stability and accuracy unlike anything else.

The DTS-12 is the first sensor to make turbidity monitoring practical. The value of continuously monitoring turbidity has long been recognized, but it’s always been difficult, inaccurate, expensive, labor-intensive, and therefore often dismissed as too impractical. The DTS-12 is different—we state with confidence that it’s the “world’s best” because its unique design delivers extremely low maintenance (just clean and re-calibrate once a year) and extremely high accuracy over the full measureable range of 0-1,600NTU. Unlike multisondes, the DTS-12 does one task, but does it exceptionally well (it’s also less expensive and simpler to deploy).

Set it and forget it. For up to 12 months.

The DTS-12 exhibits less than 2% annual optical drift, providing an incredible 12- month recalibration interval. The unique self-cleaning wiper minimizes bio-fouling. These features can typically save 11 site visits per year.

• The DTS-12 is the first turbidity sensor to use a laser diode light source, a coherent, narrow, near-infrared spectral beam that provides a constant intensity with virtually no degradation over time.
• Unique, self-cleaning, bi-directional wiper provides effective long-term cleaning performance. Non-abrasive silicone wiper blade prevents optical face abrasion.
• Integrated thermal compensation provides very high thermal stability of light source and electronics.

Unique self-cleaning wiper.

The culmination of a comprehensive research and development program that evaluated over 40 different cleaning technologies in extensive lab and field tests. The result: a wiper that really works, enabling accurate readings for up to 12 months, long after other turbidity sensors would become fouled.

• Self-cleaning, bi-directional design utilizes a back-and-forth motion and two cavities in the face of the sensor that scrape away any fouling twice each time the wiper is activated.
• Silicone wiper blade cannot be impregnated with sediment or bio-fouling.

Extreme accuracy.

The DTS-12 is a digital sensor with a microprocessor dedicated to handling some powerful statistical processing, eliminating complex datalogger programming. Combined with its Nephelometric geometry, it provides extremely clean, highly precise data with repeatable accuracy.

• The built-in microprocessor takes 100 readings over 5 seconds, then computes and outputs the mean, variance, median, min, max and BES values. This statistical analysis compensates for entrained debris spikes and “cleans” the data, providing a precise measurement of bulk turbidity.
• The DTS-12 uses true Nephelometric geometry, which improves the signal-to-noise ratio by measuring the forward and back scattered light at a 90° angle to the light beam. Because of Nephelometry’s sensitivity, precision and applicability over a wide particle size and turbidity range, it’s the preferred method for measuring turbidity by the EPA.
• Utilizes 4 calibration coefficients (twice as many as other sensors) which are calculated from 10 calibration points. This results in significantly more precise linearization of the inherent non-linear response of optics.
• Eliminates the frustrating trade-off between low end accuracy and wide dynamic range with superior accuracy over the entire dynamic range (±2% from 0-499NTU and ±4% from 500-1,600 NTU). This is a near-linear response over 3 orders of magnitude.
• The sample viewing area has been optimized for watershed, river and stream applications, where low water levels sometimes occur. The approximate tennis-ball sized viewing volume maintains the right viewing volume balance: large enough for reduced noise, but small enough for shallow water deployment.

Connect directly to an automatic water sampler.

• Optional connector allows connecting the DTS-12 directly to an ISCO automatic pump water sampler.
• Allows simple water sample collection by triggering the autosampler when turbidity reaches a specific threshold.
• For for complex water sample collection (such as "turbidity threshold sampling" which strategically collects only the "right" samples) that can permit true correlation to accurately determine suspended sediment loads, our SedEvent system is a turn-key system that makes SSC determination practical.

The digital advantage.

• Long cable runs are possible without signal degradation and noise common with analog sensors.
• Calibration coefficients stored in sensor eliminating reprogramming of datalogger when changing sensors.
• Compatible with all dataloggers supporting the SDI-12 standard.

• Measures temperature as well as turbidity.
• Metal components are stainless steel and anodized aluminum
• O-ring sealed for effective watertight security
• Extended duty cycle wiper motor for years of service
• Heavy-duty stainless steel universal joint for wiper mechanism
• Thick-walled aluminum shell

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