With the objective of studying the effects of heavy metal toxicants and pesticides in sea water, the Department of Marine and Coastal Studies at Madurai Kamaraj University, India, incorporated Cole-Parmer's Multi-Channel Pump into their toxicology study

Oceans make up the main part of water bodies on the earth and are also home to a large number and wide variety of species or life forms. Over the years and especially in modern times, surplus human activities have adversely affected the marine life. The most important ill effect has been pollution. Incidents of oil spills, industrial waste dumping, garbage disposal and accumulation of various toxic materials as wastes, from many processes has polluted almost all the major aquatic bodies around the globe.

About the End User

Madurai Kamaraj University (MKU) is a public university located in Madurai city in southern Tamil Nadu. Established in 1966, the university has about 130,000 students in 18 schools comprising 72 departments, and 109 affiliated colleges. The university is conducting a toxicology study to understand the effect of heavy metal toxicants (such as copper, cadmium, lead, zinc, arsenic, chromium) and pesticides in sea water and analyze estimated damage to sea animals. Even though the causes for toxicants are different, MKU is primarily concentrating in the studies of marine pollution caused due to heavy metal and pesticides.

The Application

The experiment requires different reservoirs containing toxicants of interest at different ppm levels. Different concentrations of these toxicants in ppm levels are fed to sea animals in toxicants chamber. The concentrations are typically 0.1, 1, 10, 100 and 1000 ppms.

These toxicants are pumped at an approximate rate of 4 ml/min to the animal chamber along with sea water, which is pumped at a rate of 36 ml/min. Simultaneously, sea water without toxicants is pumped into a separate chamber at a flow rate of 40 ml/min. After a predetermined time, the researchers take samples and conduct tissue analysis and enzyme studies to determine any damage to sea animals. With their results, they can determine the threshold level for toxicants.

The Challenge

The experiment requires different reservoirs that contain toxicants of interest at different ppm levels. These toxicants are pumped along with the sea water to a tank that contains different sea animals. The flow rates are low and accuracy is critical as it defines the toxicant levels. The main challenge in performing this study has been to obtain accuracy in the flow rates in different channels of the pump.

The Solution

The university contacted Cole-Parmer based on their previous experience and trust in the company's capabilities, exceptional service, and technical support. Cole-Parmer helped them to successfully execute earlier projects.

The Cole-Parmer technical specialist discussed the application and the end user's requirements in detail and recommended the Ismatec Multi-Channel Pump (78001-12 and 78001-32), based on the accuracy and flow rates required. The planetary gear drives of this system (used with Tygon and Pharmed BPT 2 stop tubing and extension tubing), along with an eight-roller pump head, clicks, go cartridge, and user calibration feature help achieve accuracy of flow rates in different channels.

In all, the pump:

• Achieves accurate flow rates
• Offers variable flow rates that are easily adjusted by the user
• Requires low pump system maintenance
• Features flow rate and dispensing volume that can be calibrated
• Provides high repeatability on all channels

Because the accuracy of the flow rate is extremely good, this enhanced the users' confidence!

To know more, visit www.coleparmer.in or call 022-67162222.

About Cole-Parmer

With more than 50 years of experience, Cole-Parmer is a global leader in supplying fluid handling, life science, and general laboratory products, instrumentation, and equipment to the Biotech, Chemical, Academics, Environmental, Food, Industrial Manufacturing, and Print industries. Offering a wide selection of products and instrumentation, Cole-Parmer works with R&D, pilot plant and production, specializing in providing scale-up assistance. With a mix of proprietary products and strategic partnering with leading manufacturers, Cole-Parmer's business is highly diversified across a spectrum of products, consumables, services and solutions.

(Cole-Parmer India Pvt. Ltd. Tel: +91-22-67162222 / 2253, response@coleparmer.in www.coleparmer.in)