Rapid on-site metal detection in urban stormwater monitoring: assessing the performance of 3AWater’s MWAS against conventional methods
Pinheiro Trigueiros, Artur (2025)
2025
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Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2025061021934
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2025061021934
Tiivistelmä
Urban storm and meltwater are significant pathways for trace metals entering aquatic environments, especially in highly developed areas. Traditional laboratory methods such as ICP-MS offer reliable results but require sample conservation, transport, preparation, interpretation, and reporting. Recent technological advances allow for more rapid, on-site detection methods to support real-time monitoring.
The objective of this study was to evaluate the performance of the Multimetal Water Analysis System, developed by 3AWater Oy, as an on-site alternative for detecting trace metals in urban stormwater and meltwater. The study compared MWAS to the conventional ICP-MS method in terms of reliability, detection sensitivity, and field applicability.
Qualitative and quantitative methods were applied to collect and analyse storm and meltwater samples from two urban areas in Finland: Kuopio and Järvelä. On site MWAS analysis was conducted alongside ICP-MS laboratory testing. Additional parameters such as electrical conductivity, temperature, pH, and oxidation-reduction potential were recorded on-site using YSI multiparameter device to assist in choosing appropriate MWAS calibration.
The study shows that MWAS produced comparable results to ICP-MS for manganese and zinc concentrations, with no statistically significant differences. While some metals were below the MWAS detection threshold, the system demonstrated operational advantages in usability, field adaptability, and speed. These findings suggest that MWAS can serve as a complementary tool for preliminary screening and rapid assessments in urban water quality monitoring, especially during runoff events and in remote locations.
The objective of this study was to evaluate the performance of the Multimetal Water Analysis System, developed by 3AWater Oy, as an on-site alternative for detecting trace metals in urban stormwater and meltwater. The study compared MWAS to the conventional ICP-MS method in terms of reliability, detection sensitivity, and field applicability.
Qualitative and quantitative methods were applied to collect and analyse storm and meltwater samples from two urban areas in Finland: Kuopio and Järvelä. On site MWAS analysis was conducted alongside ICP-MS laboratory testing. Additional parameters such as electrical conductivity, temperature, pH, and oxidation-reduction potential were recorded on-site using YSI multiparameter device to assist in choosing appropriate MWAS calibration.
The study shows that MWAS produced comparable results to ICP-MS for manganese and zinc concentrations, with no statistically significant differences. While some metals were below the MWAS detection threshold, the system demonstrated operational advantages in usability, field adaptability, and speed. These findings suggest that MWAS can serve as a complementary tool for preliminary screening and rapid assessments in urban water quality monitoring, especially during runoff events and in remote locations.