Design and implementation of a low-cost multiparameter probe to evaluate the temporal variations of water quality conditions on an estuarine lagoon system

• Published in: Environmental monitoring and assessment 2020-11, Vol.192 (11), p.710-710, Article 710
• Main Authors: Méndez-Barroso, L. A., Rivas-Márquez, J. A., Sosa-Tinoco, I., Robles-Morúa, A.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aquatic organisms; Atmospheric Protection/Air Quality Control/Air Pollution; Batteries; Brackishwater environment; Continuity (mathematics); Data loggers; Dissolved oxygen; Earth and Environmental Science; Ecology; Ecotoxicology; Electrical conductivity; Electrical resistivity; Environment; Environmental Management; Environmental monitoring; Environmental science; Estuaries; Estuarine dynamics; Instruments; Lagoons; Low cost; Microcontrollers; Modules; Monitoring/Environmental Analysis; Observatories; Oxygen; Polyvinyl chloride; Rechargeable batteries; Temporal variations; Water monitoring; Water pollution; Water quality; Water quality management; Water temperature
• ISSN: 0167-6369; 1573-2959
• DOI: 10.1007/s10661-020-08677-5

The measurement of physicochemical variables to infer water quality is important since they help determine the distribution and abundance of aquatic organisms or pollution-related problems. Recently, the development of low-cost probes is a suitable alternative for continuous monitoring of these variables rather than the use of expensive instruments. In this work, a low-cost multiparameter probe (LCMP) has been developed to monitor water quality in an estuary located in Northwestern Mexico during a 3-month period. The LCMP integrates different sensors to an Arduino Nano microcontroller allowing to measure electrical conductivity, dissolved oxygen, pH, salinity, water temperature, and tide level. Data files were stored in a data logger system consisting of a secure digital (SD) card module and a real-time clock module coupled to the Arduino microcontroller. To ensure continuous operation, the system was powered by four 3.7 V, 10,000 mAh rechargeable LiPo batteries. All LCMP components were encapsulated in a polyvinyl chloride pipe. The results show that the LCMP had a good agreement with a commercial-grade multiparameter probe and was able to monitor continuously in hourly time steps. Finally, the LCMP proved to be an alternative for the establishment of coastal observatories, which has been deficient due to limited funding.