Supporting Reliable Nutrient Analysis in Marine Research
Discover how INMAR, the University of Cádiz marine research institute, improved nutrient analysis efficiency and reliability with the FUTURA Continuous Flow Analyzer from KPM Analytics. A proven solution for phosphate, nitrate, ammonium, nitrite, and silicate detection in seawater.
Collaboration Between the University of Cádiz (INMAR), KPM Analytics, and the FUTURA Continuous Flow Analyzer
DEDICATION TO MARINE SCIENCE AND ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
The Institute of Marine Research (INMAR), part of the University of Cádiz (Spain), focuses on understanding the marine environment through disciplines ranging from environmental chemistry to oceanography and marine biotechnology.
Within INMAR, the Environmental Chemistry Service analyses nutrients, cations, and anions in a broad spectrum of water samples. The team supports researchers, government agencies, and aquaculture companies with precise, traceable analytical data.
Dr. Bibiana Debelius Bandrés, Ph.D. in Marine Sciences, has overseen nutrient analysis since 2017. Her work spans highly oligotrophic Antarctic waters to nutrient-rich estuarine environments, processing an average of 30 samples per day.
DAILY CHALLENGES AND THE DRIVE FOR IMPROVEMENT
Accurate analysis of phosphate, ammonium, nitrate, nitrite, and silicate in seawater requires dependable automation, sensitivity at ultra-low concentrations, and consistent repeatability.
Before adopting the FUTURA, INMAR worked with a previous CFA instrument that posed complications:
- Frequent reagent consumption and large daily preparation volumes
- Manual salinity adjustments introducing variability
- High-maintenance nitrate reduction module
- Limited automation, requiring constant operator supervision
As Dr. Debelius explains: “My main challenge was to analyze as many samples as possible, as quickly as possible, with a reliable, automated device that could ensure accurate results even at very low concentrations.”
Like many modern laboratories, INMAR wanted to gain efficiency without compromising quality.
THE CHOICE OF CONTINUOUS FLOW ANALYZER
INMAR selected the FUTURA Continuous Flow Analyzer from KPM Analytics that provides the automation, analytical stability, and operational simplicity the team needed, along with reliable local support from Metrohm Hispania (KPM distributor in Spain), ensuring smooth installation and operation from the start.
The FUTURA stood out for its ability to automate the entire workflow while remaining simple to operate, allowing INMAR to launch runs and let the system manage cleaning, rinsing, and start-up/shut-down sequences automatically. Its stable flow control and precise sample handling ensured consistent results day after day.
The analyzer also simplified complex chemistries, such as dialysis, distillation, UV digestion, dilution, and incubation, directly in-line, with no need for manual steps. This flexibility enabled INMAR to measure nutrients across a wide range of concentrations, from trace levels to richer samples, with consistent reliability.
“Compared with our previous analyzer, the FUTURA saves time, reduces costs, and ensures analytical reliability. And whenever needed, the support from Metrohm Hispania has been excellent,” says Dr. Debelius.
A LASTING IMPACT AND A TRUSTED PARTNERSHIP
Since implementing the FUTURA in 2021, INMAR has experienced clear gains in workflow efficiency and data stability. Automation reduced preparation and maintenance time while increasing throughput and reproducibility.
What was once a permanent instrumentation challenge has become a simplified operation, allowing the laboratory to maximize its research potential.
“If I had to describe the FUTURA in one word, it would be time-saving,” says Dr. Debelius. “It has made my work easier and allows me to focus on analysis rather than instrument maintenance.”
This success is sustained by a robust partnership. The collaboration between INMAR, KPM Analytics, and Metrohm Hispania remains strong, supported by responsive technical service and continuous innovation.
“Having a direct and responsive technical team is vital for laboratories that rely on analytical precision every day,” adds Dr. Debelius.
Today, the FUTURA Continuous Flow Analyzer has become a cornerstone of INMAR’s marine research, from seawater and estuarine monitoring to aquaculture studies. Its stability and flexibility help scientists generate reliable, high-quality data that advance environmental understanding and sustainable marine science.
NexaFlo® SMART CONTINUOUS FLOW ANALYSIS PLATFORM: Technological Continuity and Advanced CFA Performance
Trusted by marine research institutions such as the University of Cádiz, KPM Analytics Continuous Flow technology has long been recognized for its reliability and precision in seawater nutrient testing.
INMAR’s experience with the FUTURA Analyzer laid the groundwork for the development of NexaFlo®, KPM Analytics’ next-generation CFA platform. Building on FUTURA’s proven strengths, NexaFlo® further enhances automation, stability, and ultra-low-level nutrient detection; expanding analytical capabilities for laboratories working across diverse concentration ranges.
