Optical field testing kit for fishponds developed

A field testing kit involving an optical transmittance for analyzing water samples from fishponds has been developed.

The device was developed by researchers Raphael Guerrero and Kenneth Magsuci of the Ateneo de Manila University (AdMU) Department of Physics with the support of the Los Baños-based Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Council for Aquatic and Marine Research and Development (DOST-PCAMRD).

The method is said to be more accurate and practical in determining fishpond productivity as compared to other measurement methods currently available to Filipino fishfarmers.

The newly designed optical system also gives a highly precise, quantitative, and immediate optical characterization of fishpond water quality.

Guerrero and Magsuci are also currently developing a more compact system that makes use of Light Emitting Diodes (LED) and an analog multimeter with a current cost estimate of less than P500.

Optical systems, because of their versatility and non-destructive measuring capability, have in recent years been extensively used to monitor natural environments. Use of these bio-optical methods has increased the ability of fishfarmers to characterize microalgal biomass and their physiological states, as well as improve temporal (time) and spatial (space) capabilities. – Rudy A. Fernandez