Understanding the health of aquatic environments starts with understanding the organic matter moving through them. That's why we're excited to announce that the ECO V2 optical sensor now measures fluorescent dissolved organic matter (FDOM).
With 8× greater sensitivity than the ECO Classic, the new FDOM configuration delivers enhanced visibility into organic matter dynamics across rivers, lakes, coastal waters, and the open ocean - helping researchers and environmental managers make more informed decisions in real time.
Fluorescent dissolved organic matter is a key indicator of water quality and ecosystem processes. FDOM measurements help scientists understand the presence, composition, and cycling of organic materials in aquatic environments.
Because FDOM responds quickly to environmental changes, it provides a powerful real-time tool for assessing water conditions and identifying emerging issues before they become larger problems.
The ECO V2 was designed to build on the trusted performance of the ECO platform while advancing measurement capabilities for modern environmental monitoring applications. With the addition of FDOM, ECO V2 now delivers:
8× greater sensitivity than ECO Classic - Enhanced sensitivity enables detection of more subtle changes in fluorescent organic matter, providing greater confidence when measuring low-concentration environments or tracking small variations over time.
Real-time insights - Unlike traditional laboratory analyses that require sample collection and processing, ECO V2 provides immediate access to FDOM measurements in the field.
Compact, flexible deployment - The ECO V2 platform supports a wide range of applications, from fixed monitoring stations and profiling systems to autonomous vehicles and long-term observing networks.
Introducing a new measurement capability requires more than demonstrating performance in controlled conditions. It requires confidence that the sensor will perform reliably in the environments where scientists actually work.
FDOM has been part of our vision for ECO V2 from the beginning. Over the past year, our team focused on extensive testing, field deployments, quality control, and performance validation to ensure this capability met the standards our customers expect from Sea-Bird Scientific. That process included evaluating performance across a range of environmental conditions, refining measurement quality, and validating results through real-world deployments.
The result is an FDOM measurement capability that is ready not only for the laboratory but also for field applications where data quality matters most.
While the addition of FDOM expands the capabilities of the ECO V2 series, the sensor was designed from the ground up
High dynamic range across natural waters - ECO V2's high dynamic range allows a single sensor configuration to capture measurements across a broad spectrum of natural water conditions. Researchers can collect more meaningful data with fewer sensor changes, simplifying deployments while maintaining measurement quality.
Better data logging and resolution - With increased resolution, faster data handling, and expanded logging capabilities, ECO V2 helps scientists capture more detailed observations during both short-term studies and long-duration deployments. See datasheet for memory capacity sample specs.
Designed for long-term deployments - Whether deployed on moorings, profiling systems, autonomous platforms, or fixed monitoring stations, ECO V2 is built for demanding environments. Available depth ratings include 600m, 2,000m, and 6,000m. Optional integrated battery packs and active and passive anti-fouling technologies support extended deployments while reducing maintenance requirements.
Built-in quality assurance - Data quality remains a top priority in environmental monitoring. ECO V2 incorporates onboard quality assessment and quality control (QA/QC) capabilities to help ensure measurements remain consistent and reliable throughout deployment.
Improved power management - ECO V2 offers extended battery life and an updated battery pack design that is easier to replace than the ECO Classic. The battery pack is also interchangeable with the SBE 37 MicroCAT CTD, simplifying instrument management for organizations operating multiple Sea-Bird Scientific platforms.
Flexible integration - ECO V2 is designed to fit seamlessly into a variety of monitoring systems and workflows, featuring:
RS-232 and analog communications
Internal or external power options
Aluminum, titanium, ABS, and acetal copolymer housing options
UCI software compatibility for both Windows and Mac
A complete optical monitoring platform - Beyond FDOM, the ECO V2 platform supports a range of optical measurements, including backscattering, fluorescence, and turbidity. Together, these capabilities provide researchers with a powerful and flexible tool for understanding water quality, ecosystem health, and environmental change.
Whether you're monitoring rivers, lakes, estuaries, coastal waters, or the open ocean, our team can help you determine the best sensor configuration for your research objectives.
Contact our experts to discuss your application and monitoring requirements.
For a limited time, we're offering an exclusive trade-in credit toward the purchase of an ECO V2.
Send us your ECO Classic or any fluorometer, scattering sensor, or turbidity sensor, regardless of condition or manufacturer, and receive credit towards a new ECO V2. All returned instruments will be considered for donation or responsibly recycled, reducing electronic waste and helping us minimize environmental impact.