Hiden Analytical announces that the nitrogen excess (N2/Ar) groundwater analysis method operated by Aqua Service Schwerin (AQS Schwerin) has achieved DAkkS accreditation using the HPR-40 MIMS (Membrane Inlet Mass Spectrometer) supplied by Hiden.
Image Credit: Hiden Analytical
As part of its DAkkS-accredited scope, AQS Schwerin performs N2/Ar measurements on groundwater with the HPR-40 MIMS system designed and manufactured by Hiden. This accreditation demonstrates that Hiden's MIMS-based workflow is suitable for routine, regulator-recognized groundwater monitoring in Germany - supporting water management, environmental protection, and compliance-driven reporting.
Regulatory Validation and Market Relevance
The accreditation comes at a time of increasing regulatory requirements for groundwater and raw water monitoring in Germany. New regulatory frameworks and raw water protection regulations require comprehensive self-monitoring by water utilities and operators, including advanced analytical methods such as nitrogen excess (N2/Ar) analysis.
This significantly increases demand for reliable measurement technologies capable of delivering high-precision data for:
- groundwater protection programs
- nitrate and nitrite risk assessment
- evaluation of denitrification processes
- early risk detection for drinking water supply
- regulatory reporting and compliance
By integrating Hiden Analytical systems into an officially accredited DAkkS measurement scope, this development establishes MIMS-based analysis as a trusted solution for operational groundwater monitoring.
Technology Behind the Accreditation
The HPR-40 MIMS enables continuous, in-situ measurement of dissolved gases such as N2, Ar, O2, CO2, CH4 and N2O directly in water. This allows real-time assessment of denitrification processes under real environmental conditions, delivering high accuracy, strong reproducibility and reliable long-term performance compared to conventional laboratory-based methods.
Strategic Importance for the Market
This accreditation represents a key milestone for the adoption of Hiden Analytical mass spectrometry systems in groundwater monitoring across Germany and Europe. It demonstrates that Hiden systems are not only research instruments, but regulatorily recognized analytical solutions suitable for official monitoring programs, water utilities, environmental authorities and accredited laboratories. Peter Hatton, Director at Hiden Analytical, commented "The inclusion of Hiden Analytical's HPR-40 MIMS system within a DAkkS-accredited analytical scope marks a decisive step toward establishing mass spectrometry-based N2/Ar analysis as a standard tool for groundwater protection and regulatory monitoring."