REAL-TIME REMOTE MONITORING (RTRM) OF SELECTED WATER QUALITY PARAMETERS IN MARINE ECOSYSTEM USING WIRELESS SENSOR NETWORKS

摘要

Water quality perturbations related to anthropogenic disturbances and industry pressures continue to increase in marine ecosystems. Therefore, effective water quality monitoring programs have become critical for the protection of our water resources. However, without accurate, intensive and long-term data acquisition, the health of the water resources cannot be adequately assessed, effective preservation and remediation programs cannot be run, and program success cannot be properly evaluated.Herein, this research utilized the recent advances in communication and wireless sensors for the purpose of real time remote monitoring (RTRM) of dynamic marine water quality parameters at various spatial and temporal scales. A platform consists of a robust dynamic integration of three different types of sensors; namely biosensors, physical sensors, and chemical sensors were installed at a selected site at the Red Sea Coast (Gulf of Aqaba, near Haqel City). Biological sensor measures dissolved oxygen (DO) which tracks the upwelling of hypoxic bottom water that cause localized fish kills. Physical and chemical sensors measure various water quality parameters such as pH, conductivity, turbidity, and sediment concentration near river bed.The station was linked with advanced software applications and hardware components that enable wireless, mobile and Internet computing. A two-way transfer and display of data using RTRM technologies was utilized for data processing via specialized web-based visualization software packages.This setup establishes integrated methodology for mapping and assessing negative environmental externalities provides a useful tool for the design/development/ implementation of an environmental network for the monitoring of a variety of pollutants over time and space and the assessment of environmental quality of ecosystem.Ultimately, such system improves statistical and mechanistic modeling in monitoring of water quality trends at local, watershed and regional scales for freshwater, estuarine and marine ecosystems. In addition, it enhances rapid (e.g., real-time) detection of hydrologic variability, recognized as a critical need for early warning systems and rapid response to any harmful events.