A CDOM sensor works by sending a light beam into the water to be tested, at a fixed wavelength. This wavelength of light excites the matter which subsequently fluoresces at a known wavelength band. The level of excitation measured is proportional to the amount of CDOM present in the water.
To use Aquaread's CDOM sensor, first install it into your probe of choice, then perform a full calibration using CDOM-CAL solution from Aquaread. Once calibrated it's good to go. Simply put the probe into the body of water, allow the reading to stabilise, and take your measurement.
If you record a difference in chlorophyll levels vs a lab test at the same site, you can use the lab data to apply an offset, fine tuning the probe to detect correctly at that particular site.