A vented copper cover over the sensor can provide some protection against bio-fouling. There is a copper anti-foul guard available for standalone SeaFETs that covers the sensing surfaces.nnIf you use a SeapHOx system, the conductivity cell on the SBE 37-SMP comes equipped with TBTO anti-foul devices at the sample intake and exhaust. These devices will provide a further degree of fouling protection for the ISFET sensor in the pumped flow path. For best results, we recommend replacing the TBTO anti-foul devices before each deployment.nnThere are some antifouling systems that are not recommended:nnWe recommend against electro-chlorination systems. Stray currents in the water could damage the ISFET. Also, adding electrical potential could disrupt the feedback loop between the ISFET and the counter electrode, causing unreliable pH measurements. Finally, a electro-chlorination system doesn’t create just chlorine species, it creates any ions possible in seawater with a lower standard potential then the voltage you are applying. This will create a number of ionic species that will affect the pH of the sample, thereby causing your pH measurements to be inaccurate. In general, we would not recommend putting a ISFET pH sensor inline or downstream from a seawater electrolysis system.nnWe also recommend against UV anti-fouling systems with a SeaFET. There is a risk of exposing the chip to UV radiation, which can cause damage.
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