Determination of chlorophyll content as an indicator of water purity

The aim of the Water Framework Directive is to ensure that the quality of all surface waters is good or very good by 2015. Measures may therefore be necessary to improve the water quality, depending on the values measured. The success will be checked through continuous monitoring.

One parameter that can be used to assess water quality, and for which lab centrifuges can be used, is the chlorophyll content of the water. This parameter provides information on the biomass content of the water. In turn, one can draw inferences about the amount of fertilizer entering the water and resulting in eutrophication.