Monitoring multiple parameters in complex water scenarios using a low cost open source data acquisition platform

Abstract

Water monitoring faces challenges that are driven by the infrastructure, protection, financial resources, science and innovation policies among others. We propose a modular, low cost, fully open source and small-sized Unmanned Surface Vessel (USV) called EMAC-USV (EMAC: Estación de Monitoreo Ambiental Costero), for monitoring bathymetry and water quality parameters (i.e. temperature, suspended solids concentration and hydrocarbon concentration) in complex water scenarios. The field works were carried out in two small waste stabilization ponds and in a portion of a navigable tidal channel. Accuracy of obtained bathymetric data was assessed from high quality multibeam echosounder data. The EMAC-USV is the result of a cautious design, regarding the balancing performance, communications, payload capacity among others.