Abstract:
An automated microprocessor-controlled monitoring system for the sampling and analysis of environmental contamination has independent multiple sample chambers  47, 48 . The sample chambers are populated with multiple analytical sensors  59, 60, 61 , Multiple water level sensors  49, 50, 135  located in the sample chambers are capable of determining the volume of sample, or standard, introduced into the individual sample chambers. The monitoring system is standardized with independent calibration modules  7 L  80, 89  to support the analytical sensors in the sample chambers. This configuration of a monitoring system allows a “plug and play” configuration with all analytical sensors capable of standardization. The system anticipates the incorporation of future sensing methodologies through its flexible design. The disclosed system is capable of operating multiple pumps  17, 18, 19  and measuring the water levels  30, 31, 32  in multiple monitoring wells  36, 37, 38  allows for the automated acquisition of data for slug, aquifer, and tracer tests. Other embodiments are described and illustrated.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    Reference is made to our Provisional Application No. 61/766745 filed Feb. 20, 2013 entitled “Sampling and Analytical Platform for Remote Deployment of Sensors” by the present inventors. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of Invention 
         [0003]    The field of environmental monitoring has many chemical parameters and environmental contaminants to be measured for the purposes of environmental compliance. The environmental contaminants to be monitored will vary based on the industry or site to be assessed. The cost of developing monitoring systems tar each type of industry or contaminated site is prohibitive, therefore, an automated monitoring system that can be configured using a series of independent chambers with analytical sensors and calibration modules combined into a package that will measure many of the important parameters of a facility would have the ability to attract a significant share of the environmental monitoring market. 
         [0004]    This invention relates generally to the art of the automated sampling and analysis of environmental contaminants in water or atmospheres at unattended locations. Unattended locations include municipal water treatment facilities and/or groundwater investigations. The invention describes a monitoring system with multiple independent chambers with the ability of measuring the volume of the sample introduced into each of the chambers. Analytical sensors are exposed to the samples contained in the interior of each of the chambers. The monitoring system is capable of calibrating each of the sensors located in the multiple chambers with independent calibration modules. The system allows for the design of a “plug and play” monitoring system. This flexibility allows a user to design a customized monitoring system for the environmental contaminants of interest at their facility. 
         [0005]    2. Background-Prior Art 
         [0006]    The following is a tabulation of some prior an that is relevant 
       U.S. Patents 
       [0007]      
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 Patent No. 
                 Kind Code 
                 Issue date 
                 Patentee 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
                 5,646,863 
                 A 
                 July 1997 
                 Morton 
               
               
                   
                 6,021,664 
                   
                 Feb. 8, 2000 
                 Granato et al. 
               
               
                   
                 6,936,156 
                 B2 
                 Aug. 30, 2005 
                 Smith et a1. 
               
               
                   
                 7,247,278 
                 B2 
                 Jul. 24, 2007 
                 Burge et al. 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0008]    3. Discussion of Prior Art 
         [0009]    The field of automated monitoring systems is mature with a history of prior art spanning over 30 years and many commercialized versions readily available on the current market. The advent of automated instrumentation was made possible by the availability of affordable microprocessors in the early 1980s. The prior art describing monitoring methods supporting multiple sensors include: 
         [0010]    U.S. Pat. No. 7,247,278 describes a monitoring system to transfer groundwater samples from a well to an analytical sensor located at the surface, and methods for calibrating the sensor at the surface. There is no disclosure of multiple analytical chambers, multiple calibration systems or deployment of alternative sensors. 
         [0011]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,646,863 describes a monitoring system that has a series of flow-through measuring cells for measuring multiple analytes, however, the invention does not describe interchangeable chambers, interchangeable calibration modules, or the measurement of the sample volumes delivered to the chambers. The sampling system flows the sample through the sample chamber for analysis by the analytical sensors. The description limits the capability of the number of analytical methods that may be performed by the system. The system does not allow for the expansion of the system for additional future sensors. 
         [0012]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,021,664 describes a flow-through system that has one sample cell with several sensors (temperature, conductance, dissolved oxygen, pH and ammonia). No reference is made for measuring the volume in the sample cell, or to an interchangeable cell for other contaminants. Most of the disclosure is associated with purging groundwater wells. The sampling system flows the sample through the sample chamber for analysis by the analytical sensors. 
         [0013]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,936,156 describes a flow-through system with the capability of recirculating through the sample cells. The system does not describe multiple sample chambers each capable of measuring the volumes delivered to the chamber. Additionally, the invention does not describe a method for incorporating additional sample chambers or cells, or the calibration of the sensors in the additional cells. The sampling system flows the sample through the sample chamber, or re-circulates the sample for analysis through the sample chamber. 
         [0014]    Most of the commercial instruments (Hach) describe flow-through cells with the ability to calibrate the system by the injection of standards into the flow-through systems. 
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION 
       [0015]    The invention described in this disclosure is a monitoring system composed of separate sample chambers with associated analytical sensors capable of determining the concentrations of important environmental contaminants in the environment. The system described has the ability to measure the volume of the sample, standards or reagents injected into the sample chambers. The environmental contaminants include biological, dissolved metals, anions, volatile and semi-volatile organics and radiologicals. Many of the prior art citations and current commercialized instruments use rigid flow-through systems that are not readily suited for many environmental analyses. 
         [0016]    The deployment of analytical sensors (pH, ORP, conductivity, colorimetric, radiometric, etc.) at remote locations requires the sensors to be housed in an environmentally controlled space, provide power, control, and communication capabilities to operate the sensors, and transmit the data to remote users. A method of sampling must be provided to expose the sensors to the media being monitored such as natural waters, process water, or atmospheres. An important aspect of any analytical protocol is the ability to interrogate the sensors at frequent intervals using standards. The interrogation may be accomplished by using multiple calibration standards to create a calibration curve, or by using one standard to calculate a calibration factor. 
         [0017]    This invention consists of a central sampling/analytical platform with the ability to connect additional analytical boards, various analytical sensors, alternative sample chambers and the accompanying calibration components as “plug and play” modules. This design recognizes that most analytical protocols, regardless of the sensor being employed, share similar tasks such as sample introduction, temperature control, communications, control, and cleaning. Therefore, the design of the sampling/analytical platform unifies all the operational components that are constant regardless of the type of analytical sensor being deployed. These common features include sampling, components, cleaning, communication, environmental controls, and power control. The basic design of the analytical platform does not include any specific sample chamber, analytical sensor, or method of sensor interrogation (introduction of standards). All three of these sensor-specific features are plug-in modules to the basic sampling/analytical platform. This relative freedom of the sampling/analytical platform from any specific analytical sensor allows the system to quickly be configured for many types of analytical sensors. This type of analytical platform design is independent of any specific type of sensor allowing the analytical platform to accommodate new sensor technologies as they become available. 
         [0018]    In this disclosure, the analytical sensor and its accompanying analytical components (sample chamber and interrogation module) are all plug-in modules that are connected to the sampling/analytical platform when the specific analytical sensor is required. This concept is illustrated on  FIG. 2 . This figure illustrates that each analytical sensor has an accompanying interrogation (calibration) module and sample chamber. The interrogation component consists of valves and/or pumps that inject the standard solutions into the sample chamber for the purpose of standardization, or to check on the validity of a calibration factor. The analytical platform is designed to recognize the sensor and the accompanying interrogation module. 
         [0019]    An example would be a pH electrode, accompanying sample chamber, and interrogation module. The electrical leads of the pH electrode are fabricated into a plug, or other type of connector, that connects to the electronics of the sampling/analytical platform, and the pH electrode is inserted into a sample chamber compatible with the analytical sensor and the platform. The interrogation module has its electronic components fabricated into a second plug, or other type of connector, that connects to the electronics of the sampling/analytical platform. The tubing for the delivery of the standard(s) is inserted into the same sample chamber housing the pH electrode. The operation of the sampling, calibration, and analysis using the pH probe is controlled by the microprocessor incorporated in the main board. 
         [0020]    Once the three components (analytical sensor, sample chamber and interrogation module) are connected, the operation of the sampling/analytical platform allows for a complete analysis of water samples using the pH sensor including sampling, interrogation, quality control checks and cleaning. 
         [0021]    It is possible that several sensors may use the same sample chamber. An example would be a single sample chamber accommodating a pH, ORP and conductivity sensors. 
         [0022]    Sample chambers are designed to allow for the volumetric measurement of the different solutions introduced into the sample chamber for the purpose of diluting standards and/or reagents to aid in the analysis of the target analyte. The volume may be measured within a sample chamber using optical sensors, conductivity sensors or other methods to determine the volume of water in the sample chamber. The sample chambers may be fitted with stirring motors, or other methods for agitating the solution. Additionally the sample chamber may be fitted with methods of heating the chamber to establish a constant temperature during the analysis. 
         [0023]    The addition of alternative analytical sensor modules with accompanying interrogation modules allows monitoring of additional parameters such as conductivity, ORP, etc. The design of this sampling/analytical platform is a flexible design that allows analytical sensors to be added (or incorporated) as they are developed without the costly requirement to redesign the platform to house the new analytical sensors. 
         [0024]    The sample chamber is an important component of the sampling/analytical platform. This is not a flow-through chamber, but a chamber where the volumes of reagents (and/or standards) and temperature may be controlled by the program of the sampling/analytical platform. The design and volume of the sample chamber may be optimized to house a particular analytical sensor, or multiple sensors. The ability to control the volumes of solutions introduced into the sample chamber allows for the creation of headspace above the solutions. The creation of a headspace allows analytical sensors to be exposed to atmospheres above the solution for the detection of volatile organic and inorganic compounds, therefore, the analytical platform may accommodate multiple sensors, multiple interrogation components, and multiple sample chambers, depending upon the analytical sensor deployed. 
         [0025]    In addition to the “plug and play” analytical sensors and calibration component, the analytical platform is designed to accept a wide variety of sampling methods including, liquid sampling, pumps (peristaltic, diaphragm and centrifugal) and air sampling pumps ( FIG. 3 ). This design allows the analytical platform to sample multiple environmental medias (atmospheres, natural waters and treatment plant effluents) and deliver the samples to multiple sample chambers allowing the same analytical platform to perform very different types of analyses using the system. Sensors are provided between the pump modules and the sample chamber to allow for monitoring water quality parameters for the purpose of low-flow sampling. The water quality sensors at this location are not calibrated but used exclusively to determine when the values of the sensors stabilize. The stabilization of the sensors is an indication that the groundwater sampled is representative of the aquifer and does not represent static water in the wells. 
         [0026]    A unique feature of this system is its ability to inject chemicals into the environment. This feature allows the system to inject tracers into the groundwater to measure aquifer parameters, or to measure reagents for site remediation ( FIG. 4 ). The system is capable of collecting, samples from multiple sampling points, such as wells, therefore, the system can inject a solution into one well and collect samples from adjacent wells. An example of an application of a tracer test would be to inject a bromide tracer into the aquifer and collect water samples from adjacent wells, then analyze the water samples with an ion-specific bromide electrode interfaced to the sampling/analytical platform. 
         [0027]    The “plug and play” sampling/analytical system may be housed in a variety of structures (trailers, sheds) for environmental protection. The sampling analytical system has the ability to operate with a variety of power sources including line power (120 volts), solar cells, and wind turbine. 
         [0028]    The communication between the remote user and the monitoring, system may be accomplished with radio telemetry, cellular or satellite communications ( FIG. 1 ). 
       SUMMARY AND ADVANTAGES 
       [0029]    The invention disclosed does not use flow-through cells, but interchangeable sample chambers where volumes of reagents, standards, and samples may be precisely introduced into the sample chambers to perform the required analysis. Water level sensors are employed in each sample chamber to deliver a precise volume of sample, reagent or standard. The analyses or calibrations are performed in isolation after all the solutions are injected into the sample chamber. The sample chamber may be stirred, and temperature adjusted by heating or cooling, after being introduced in the sample chamber. 
         [0030]    This separation of the sensors, sample chambers, and calibration modules from the sampling/analytical platform is not described in the prior art or literature. The prior art and literature describe elaborate systems containing all the sample chambers, sensors, sampling components, and methods of calibration formed into a single unit. The prior art systems do not describe the ability to quickly exchange a sensor with the accompanying sample chamber and calibration modules within the framework of the sampling/analytical platform. If an alternative sensor is to be deployed with the systems described in the prior art, and the alternative sensor technology is incompatible with the fabricated sample chamber, there does not appear to be an adequate method of quickly adapting the platform to the requirements of the new sensor. 
         [0031]    The disclosed monitoring system has the flexibility to assemble multiple chambers, analytical sensors, calibration modules, and sampling methods to match the requirements of a monitoring program. The system does not have any preferred, embodiment except for the method of interconnecting the various boards into a sampling and analytical system. The rigid design documented in the prior art is quite separate from the flexible design presented in this disclosure. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         [0032]      FIG. 1  illustrates the overall monitoring system for remote deployments used to sample groundwater wells. 
           [0033]      FIG. 2  illustrates the design of the monitoring system using two chambers, three analytical sensors and three calibration modules connected to four electronic boards. 
           [0034]      FIG. 3  illustrates the monitoring system with more than one control board. 
           [0035]      FIG. 4  illustrates a monitoring system for the automated performance of a tracer test. 
           [0036]      FIG. 5  illustrates the monitoring system configured for the automated performance slug and aquifer tests. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0037]    
       FIG. 1 
     
         [0038]      FIG. 1  illustrates the overall monitoring system. A main control board  10  is the central component of the entire monitoring system. A control microprocessor  11  and communications module  12  are incorporated on the main control board  10 . The communication module  12  is connected to an antenna  13 . Transmission of signals may be performed using radio telemetry, cellular or satellite methods. A pump control board  14  is connected to the board  10  using a control cable  15 . The hoard  14  incorporates a microprocessor  16  to control the operation of various sampling, methods. Multiple selection valves  26 ,  27 ,  28  are incorporated on the board  14 . 
         [0039]    The sampling methods supported by the board  14  include peristaltic pumps and submersible pumps that are directly inserted into monitoring wells  36 ,  37 ,  38 . The board  14  is connected to multiple pumps  17 ,  18 ,  19  located within the multiple monitoring wells  36 ,  37 ,  38  by multiple cables  20 ,  21 ,  22 . The pumps  17 ,  18 ,  19  located within the multiple monitoring wells  36 ,  37 ,  38  may include electrical turbine and gas-operated diaphragm pumps. The multiple cables  20 ,  21 ,  22  are used to conduct electrical signals, electrical power or compressed air depending on the sampling method. Multiple water tubes  23 ,  24 ,  25  transport water samples from each of the multiple pumps  17 ,  18 ,  19  to the inlets of the multiple selection valves  26 ,  27 ,  28  located on the board  14 . The outlets of the multiple selection valves  26 ,  27 ,  28  are connected into a single sample delivery tube  29 . The terminal end of the tube  29  is connected to the inlets of chamber selection valves  125 ,  126  located on auxiliary board  124 . The valves  125 ,  126  are three-way valves. The common port of the valve  125  is connected to sample chamber  47  with chamber tube  127 . The common port of the valve  126  is connected to sample chamber  48  with chamber tube  128 . The terminal ends of the tubes  127 ,  128  are extended to the bottom of the sample chambers  47 ,  48 . The normally-open ports of valves  125 ,  126  are connected to the waste tube  129 . 
         [0040]    The multiple sample chambers  47 ,  48  have multiple volume probes  49 ,  50 ,  150  for determining the volume of the sample introduced into the multiple sample chambers  47 ,  48 .  FIG. 1  illustrates the two sample chambers, however more than two chambers are possible. The probes  49 ,  50 ,  150  may be either optical or conductivity probes.  FIG. 1  illustrates one probe in the chamber  48 , and two sensors in the chamber  47 , additional probes are possible. The chambers  47 ,  48  have two primary purposes: 1) housing analytical sensors for the analysis of environmental contaminants, and 2) storage of samples for future analysis. Stirring motors  51 ,  52  are mounted beneath the multiple chambers  47 ,  48 . Magnetic stiffing bars  53 ,  54  are placed within the multiple chambers  47 ,  48 . Multiple chamber cables with connectors  55 ,  56  connect the multiple probes  49 ,  50  and the multiple stirring motors  51 ,  52  with the main control board  10 . The interiors of the multiple chambers  47 ,  48  are accessed with multiple sensor ports  57 ,  58 .  FIG. 1  illustrates one sensor port in each sample chamber, however multiple ports can be required in the design of the sample chamber. 
         [0041]    Multiple water level sensors  30 ,  31 ,  32  are located in the multiple wells  36 ,  37 ,  38 . The multiple sensors  30 ,  31 ,  32  are connected by multiple electrical cables  33 ,  34 ,  35  to the board  14 . The multiple sensors  30 ,  31 ,  32  are used to measure the water levels in the monitoring wells  36 ,  37 ,  38 . 
         [0042]    An optional power control board  39  is connected with a power control cable  40  to the board  10 . The board  39  incorporates a microprocessor  41 . The primary function of the power control board is to provide power to the monitoring system when line power (110-volts) is not available. The board  39  is capable of measuring and regulating power from solar panels  42 , and/or wind turbine  44  to a battery  120 . The board  39  is connected to the solar panels  42  with an electrical cable  43 . The board  39  is connected to the wind turbine  44  with an electrical cable  45 . The battery  120  is connected to the board  39  with a battery cable  121 . 
         [0043]    An optional weather station  46  is connected to the board  10  to determine the climatic conditions for the purposes of when to collect water samples. 
         [0044]    Referring to  FIG. 2  illustrates the relationship of the main components of the multiple chamber sampling/analytical system. Multiple analytical sensors  59 ,  60 ,  61  are connected by their respective electrical cables and connectors  62 ,  63 ,  64  to its respective analytical boards  65 ,  66 ,  67 . The boards  65 ,  66 ,  67  are connected to the board  10 . The analytical boards  65 .  66 ,  67  incorporate microprocessors  68 ,  69 ,  70 . The primary purpose of the individual boards  65 ,  66 ,  67  is to convert the raw signals from the analytical sensors  59 ,  60 ,  61  into signals proportional to concentrations that can be transmitted to the board  10 . The analytical boards  65 ,  66 ,  67  are designed for use with specific analytical sensors. 
         [0045]    The multiple analytical sensors  59 ,  60 ,  61  are connected to the multiple chambers  47 ,  48  using, multiple sensor ports  57 ,  58 .  FIG. 2  illustrates one sensor port in each sample chamber, however, multiple ports can be required in the design of a chamber. 
         [0046]    The calibration of the analytical sensors  59 ,  60 ,  61  located within the multiple chambers  47 ,  48  is performed using multiple calibration boards  71 ,  80 ,  89 . It is typical that one calibration board is dedicated for each analytical sensor incorporated in the monitoring system. Multiple standard selection valves  72 ,  73  are connected to the calibration board  71 . Multiple standard bottles  74 ,  75  contain low and high standards in  FIG. 2 . The multiple calibration boards  71 ,  80 ,  89  are capable of delivering one to multiple standards. Standard outlet tubes  76 ,  77  conduct the solutions to the inlet port of the valves  72 ,  73 . Outlets of the valves  72 ,  73  are connected to a standard delivery tube  78 . The tube  78  is connected to the interior of a sample chamber  48 . It is typical to use air or inert gas pressure introduced into the headspace of the standard bottles  76 ,  77  to cause the flow of the standard from the bottles  74 ,  75  through the valves  72 ,  73  and into the chamber  47 . 
         [0047]    The boards  71 ,  80 ,  89  are connected to the board  10  using electrical cables with connectors  79 ,  88 ,  96 . 
         [0048]    The number of the boards  71 ,  80 ,  89  used in any monitoring system is dependent on the number of the sensors  59 ,  60 ,  61  employed in the system. 
         [0049]    Referring to the  FIG. 3   
         [0050]    The use of multiple main control boards is presented on the  FIG. 3 . The board  10  is connected to a second control board  97  with a communication cable  98 . The connection of the control boards  10 ,  97  allow for the expansion of the monitoring system. The board  97  allows the connection of the analytical board  66 . The sensor  60  is connected with the cable  63  to the analytical board  66 . The board  89  is connected to the board  97  with cable  96 . The sample chamber  48  is connected to board  97  with the cable  56 .  FIG. 3  illustrates the expansion of the monitoring system for accommodating multiple sensors and associated chambers. 
         [0051]    Referring to  FIG. 4   
         [0052]    The design allows for the control and operation of the chemical monitoring system to be coordinated with the sampling system to allow for tracer tests. A tracer injection pump  101  is connected to a tracer bottle  103  with a tracer inlet tube  102 . The outlet of the pump  101  is connected to a tracer outlet tube  104 . The tube  104  injects the tracer through its terminal end  105  into the interior of the monitoring well  34 . The pump  17  is located in the adjacent monitoring well  36 . The tube  23  connects the pump  17  with the valve  26 . The tube  29  connects the outlet of the valve  26  with the interior of the chamber  47 . The board  14  connects with the board  10  with cable  15 . The pump  101  is electrically connected to the board  14  with a cable  100 . 
         [0053]    Referring to  FIG. 5 . 
         [0054]    The monitoring system is reconfigured for performing aquifer tests. The control board  10  connects to the pump control board  14  with the cable  15 . The board  14  connects to the multiple pumps  17 ,  18 ,  19  with the multiple cables  20 ,  21 ,  22 . The pumps  17 ,  18 ,  19  are located within the interiors of the multiple wells  36 ,  37 ,  38 . The multiple pumps  17 ,  18 ,  19  connect to the multiple tubes  23 ,  24 ,  25  to a flow meter  107 . The flow meter connects to the board  14  with an electrical cable  108 . The multiple sensors  30 ,  31 ,  32  connects with the multiple cables  33 ,  34 ,  35  to the board  14 . 
         [0055]      FIG. 1  Operation 
         [0056]    Referring to the drawing  FIG. 1  illustrates the overall monitoring system. A main control board  10  is the central component of the entire monitoring system. The primary operating program is located in the microprocessor  11 . The program is used to control the pump control board  14 , and the power control board  39 . The main control board  10  has the ability to communicate with remote users using multiple communication protocols using the communication module  12  include radio telemetry, cellular or satellite. 
         [0057]    The monitoring system collects a sample by the main control board  10  sending a command to the pump control board  14  to select a monitoring well. The pump control board  14  activates the selected pump. The microprocessor  16  controls the pump control board pump  14  and is capable of operating several types of pumps including peristaltic, turbine and diaphragm pumps. If the sampling program selects pump  17  in well  36  then the program of the microprocessor  16  on the board  14  sends the appropriate electrical power, signals or air pressure to operate the selected pump. The activated pump  17  conducts a water sample through an activated valve  26  through the water tube  29 . The tube  29  connects to the multiple chamber selection valves  125 ,  126  located on the auxiliary board  124 . The program on board  10  activates the appropriate valve  125 ,  126  and the water sample transferred into the sample chamber  47 ,  48 . The sample flows into the selected sample chamber  47 ,  48  until the corresponding water level sensor  49 ,  50  located within the chambers is satisfied. The program terminates the operation of the pump  17 , the valve  26 , and valves  125 ,  126 . This action terminates the basic sampling program. 
         [0058]    The pump control board  14  collects water level data from the multiple water levels sensors  30 ,  31 ,  32  located in each of the monitoring wells  36 ,  37 ,  38  during the sampling episode. 
         [0059]    The multiple water level sensors  30 ,  31 ,  32  are used to measure the water levels in the monitoring wells  36 ,  37 ,  38  to determine groundwater flow direction and changes of water level over time. The combination of multiple water level sensors  30 ,  31 ,  32  measuring water levels in monitoring wells  36 ,  37 ,  38  with the ability to evacuate the wells with the pumps  17 ,  18 ,  19  allows for automatically performing low-flow purging of the wells, slug tests and aquifer tests. Automatic low-flow purging is performed by automatically sampling a well without a significant change in the static water level in a monitoring well. The monitoring system automatically collects water level data during the sampling episode. If the sampling rate of the pump causes a decrease in the elevation of the monitoring well, the program decreases the pumping rate until the sampling rate does not disturb the static water level. 
         [0060]    An optional power control board  39  and the program contained in the microprocessor  41  monitors the currents and voltages of the solar cells  42 , wind turbine  44  and battery  120 . The board  39  is used to determine which power source can be used to charge the battery and disconnect the battery to prevent damage from overcharging the battery  120 . 
         [0061]    An optional weather station  46  is connected to the main control board  10  to determine the climatic conditions for the purposes of when to collect water samples. 
         [0062]      FIG. 2 . Operation 
         [0063]    Referring to drawing  FIG. 2  illustrates the relationship of the main components of the multiple chamber sampling/analytical system/calibration system. 
         [0064]    The standardization of the analytical sensors located, in the sample chambers can be performed using several types of techniques including:
       Calibration curve   Calibration factor       
 
         [0067]    Calibration curve uses the calibration boards  71 ,  80 ,  89  to introduce multiple standards in the sample chambers. An example would be the calibration of an analytical sensor located in sample chamber  47  with calibration board  71 . The first standard calibration solution is added by the activation of the selection valve  72  to conduct the first standard through the tube  78  into the sample chamber  47 . The standard is added until the water sensor  49  is satisfied. The standard is analyzed and then evacuated from the chamber  47 . The second calibration solution is added by the activation of the selection valve  73  to conduct the second standard through the tube  78  into the sample chamber  47 . The standard is added until the water sensor  49  is satisfied. The standard is analyzed and then evacuated from the chamber  47 . 
         [0068]    Standardization of the sensor may be performed by the analysis and calculation of a calibration factor. The calibration factor may be calculated from the analysis of sample and spiked sample. The program introduces a sample into the sample chamber and analyzes the sample then evacuates the sample then introduces a sample and adds a known volume and concentration of a standard to the sample. This requires that the volume of the sample and the standard are known to great precision. An example of this type of standardization would be the introduction of a sample from well  36  to sample chamber  47  ( FIG. 1 ). The program activates the pump  17  and the valve  26 . The water sample is conducted through tube  23 , through valve  26  and tube  29 . The valve  125  on board  124  is activated and the sample is introduced into the sample chamber  47 . The sample fills the chamber  47  until water level sensor  49  is satisfied. This action terminates the operation of the pump  17 , valves  26  and  125  deactivated. The sample is analyzed and the sample evacuated from the sample chamber. The spiked sample is created by the same method as the sample except after the introduction of the sample is completed, a standard is introduced., or spiked, in the sample chamber  47 . Referring to  FIG. 2  a sample is spiked by the introduction of a known volume of standard into the sample chamber  47 . An example is using the calibration board  71  and the standard bottle  74 . A standard solution is added by the activation of the selection valve  72  to conduct a standard through the tube  78  into the sample chamber  47 . The standard is added until the water sensor  105  is satisfied. The stirring motor  51  agitates a solution in the sample chamber  47 . The spiked sample is analyzed and then evacuated from the chamber  47 . 
         [0069]    It is typical for radiometric analysis detecting trace activities of radioactive isotopes to require several hours to complete the analysis, therefore, it is important if a sample and a spiked sample are to be analyzed, that both samples are collected at the sample time. A second sample chamber is therefore, required to store the sample for later analysis. 
         [0070]      FIG. 3 . Operation 
         [0071]    The operation of the system illustrated on  FIG. 3  is similar to  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2  except that the chambers  47 ,  48  and calibration boards  71 ,  80 ,  89 , analytical boards  65 ,  66  and analytical sensors  59 ,  60  are distributed over two control boards  10 ,  97 . 
         [0072]      FIG. 4  Operation 
         [0073]    The monitoring system on  FIG. 4  illustrates an automated tracer test A tracer test consists of the injection of a known concentration and volume of chemical tracer into the aquifer and the collection of samples in adjacent wells to determine if the tracer is present. The monitoring system disclosed is unique in its ability to sample wells analyze the samples, and introduce tracers, reagents, and nutrients in the aquifer. 
         [0074]    The board  14  is designed to operate a variety of pumps for the collection of samples from the wells and the injection of tracers and chemicals into the well. The pump  101  is used to inject tracers from the bottle  103  into the monitoring well  34 . The tracers flow front the injection well to the adjacent wells. The pump  17  collects water samples in the well  36 . A water sample passes through the activated valve  26  through tube  29  and into the sample chamber  47 . The sample is analyzed and the concentration of the tracer determined. 
         [0075]      FIG. 5  Operation 
         [0076]    A slug test is performed b instantaneous removal of a column of water from a monitoring well, and measuring the recharge of the well from the surrounding aquifer. An aquifer test is performed by the removal of water from a central well and the measurement of the response in water levels of the adjacent wells. The monitoring system is configured for an aquifer test in  FIG. 5 . The well  37  serves as the extraction well. The user sets the program on board  10  and hoard  14  to perform the test. The program activates pump  18  using cable  21 . The water from the pump  18  is conducted through the tube  24  to the water meter  107 . The rate of water recharge is measured. Water is discharged through the tube  109 . Water levels are measured with the sensors  30 ,  31  in the adjacent wells  36 ,  37 . Signals from the sensors are transmitted to the board  14  with cables  33 ,  34 . The program plots the data of water levels versus time for the calculation of hydraulic conductivity.