Smart sensors monitor water at Australian lake

William Atkins
Wednesday, 13 May 2009 19:00

Science - Climate

A solar-powered catamaran is also located on the lake to make detailed measurements if the sensors indicate such an analysis is needed.

The boat also moves among the floating sensors, making routine measurements of the water.

Dr. Dunbabin adds, “This gives us the capacity to monitor ‘events’ in real-time, such as high rainfall, droughts or contaminants entering the waterway. If the network detects an ‘event’, it can autonomously advise the boat to sample in more detail.” [Environmental-Expert.com]

The network is a reliable and efficient way to measure water quality, weather, land conditions, and other environmental events.

It is just a start in Australian activities to provide high-tech monitoring systems for its water supplies.

CSIRO states that the network can even be set up to monitor the movements of cows or other animals.

Additional information about the smart sensor network is found on the CSIRO website “Smart sensors monitoring water quality and catchment health.”