Multi-domain, Autonomous Measurement Buoy as an Element of the Water Quality Monitoring and Early Warning System in Rivers and Water Reservoirs

Abstract

This article presents a novel, innovative, open multi-domain platform for early warning against adverse events in reservoirs and watercourses, which can measure temperature, pH, redox, conductivity, turbidity, chlorophyll and phycocyanin. These parameters are key indicators of cyanobacteria bloom. This platform allows remote and distributed monitoring of important locations on lakes and rivers. The station's design enables the use of both wired sensors directly connected to the station and wireless data collection from locally dispersed measurement points that communicate with the station-buoy. The data aggregation system is open, and the technological solution of the station is universal, which means it can use different sensors for chemical and biological parameters that are required by, for example, the Water Framework Directive, from the market and industry standards. The platform also has built-in machine learning and data analysis mechanisms that can optimise the number of stations needed to achieve the desired level of data acquisition. The sensor dispersion and station autonomy ensure the flexibility and scalability of the measurements.