There are a lot of initiatives around us to do with the environment
From tackling climate change to conservation of biodiversity…
From forest conservation to renewable energy (and its benefits).
But there is place for those willing to use their analytical knowledge to provide insights into our environment.
Experts in chemistry, environment, sociology, engineering, economics among others have a crucial role to play in making our society better environmentally.
Take for instance policy requirements for environmental impact assessment studies to be done before construction…
Or energy audits to be conducted in buildings to ascertain usage of energy…
Or air quality analyses conducted in factories as part of occupational safety measures.
But there is more to do for the willing analyst.
Infact, if they put their mind into it, these opportunities might just bring some coins to the table.
WATER ANALYSIS
The need for analysis of water in its various forms is growing by the day due to construction, agriculture or even if its just to meet basic environmental parameters.
In this regard, a couple of laboratories exist to offer such services.
These include government labs and a couple of private and NGO players in this field.
But the demand for these services far exceed their supply and in many ways this is a budding opportunity for anyone.
ANALYTICAL INSTRUMENTS
The advance in digital electronics has dealt a blow to obsolete technologies such as land line phones.
But they aren’t the only casualty.
Bulky analytical instruments used in analysing water and soil samples have shrunk in both size and cost.
So what does this mean?
Simply that the budding chemist, engineer or entrepreneur could take advantage of these low costs to offer analytical services.
Let me elaborate.
HYDROPONICS
Hydroponics is a system of farming that doesn’t use soil.
Instead, crops are grown in water loaded with nutrients held in a PVC pipe.
There is a constant need to monitor pH levels of the water because it determines crop performance..
Before, such analysis could need collection of the hydroponics water sample to take it for analysis to a lab.
However, today those stunts are unnecessary.
All one needs is to purchase a handheld pH meter and monitor the readings even on an hourly basis.
But this pH meter could be used for other purposes too.
CONDUCTIVITY OF WATER
Electrical conductivity of water gives us an indication of the amount of dissolved substances in it (some of which could be pollutants).
Some pH meters come armed with the ability to measure conductivity and temperature.
So this means that one can measure three important quantities useful for farming at the comfort of their home.
But the rise of portable instruments has not only stopped at this.
ADVANCED ANALYSIS
Several instruments used in advanced analysis have also been miniaturised.
Take for instance X-Ray analysis used in analysing soils and rocks…
Or infrared analysis used in the determination of several parameters such nutrients in soils or food quality…
The rise of portable analytical instruments creates an opportunity for willing entrepreneurs to take advantage of.
But besides hydroponics, these opportunities are also available in conventional agriculture.
SOIL LABS
An increasing interest in farming among the educated folk comes with the need to get things right from the start.
And soil analysis plays a key role in this regard.
Normally, soil nutrients are determined through soil sample collection (in the field) before sending these samples to a lab for analysis.
But this seems to be a practice that is losing ground fast thanks to the concept of mobile labs.
Agro cares is a company that focuses on conducting soil tests for farmers.
However, they have raised the bar a notch higher by visiting farms instead of farmers coming to their labs.
How?
They have a mobile laboratory fitted with all sorts of portable measuring instruments capable of delivering real time results.
So all that’s needed is for farmers in a rural neighborhood to mobilize each other and request for their services.
They then load their mobile lab with the necessary gadgets, instruments, consumables and personel before visiting farms to analyse soils, plant material, water etc.
This has provided convenience and affordability since many peasant farmers can’t afford the costs of transporting their samples to labs.
This is just one example of how portable instruments can change our world.
IN CONCLUSION
This is not just a realm for the scientists but for any one willing to take advantage of opportunity.
Besides, some of these miniature instruments are sold by very reputable manufacturers who have set up entire video tutorials for anyone willing to understand how they function.
So that should not trouble anyone willing to venture into this space.
All that’s needed is assessment of the market and planning on how to capture it.
The sky is the limit.
Cleannovate 