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

MARTINEZ VARGAS, STEVEN; VITALE, ALEJANDRO J.; GENCHI, SIBILA A.; NOGUEIRA, SIMÓN F.; ARIAS, ANDRÉS H.; PERILLO, GERARDO M.E.; SIBEN, AGUSTÍN; DELRIEUX, CLAUDIO A.

HardwareX

Elsevier

Año: 2023 vol. 16

2468-0672

Water monitoring faces challenges that are driven by the infrastructure, protection, financial  resources, science and innovation policies, among others. A modular, low-cost, fully open-source and small-sized Unmanned Surface Vessel (USV) called EMAC-USV (EMAC: Estación de Mon­itoreo Ambiental Costero), is proposed for monitoring bathymetry and water quality parameters  (i.e. temperature, suspended solids concentration and hydrocarbon concentration) in complex  water scenarios. A detailed description of each part of the platform as well as all electronic  connections and functioning is presented.The field works were carried out in two small waste  stabilization ponds and in a portion of the main tidal channel of the Bahía Blanca port. The EMAC-USV is the result of a cautious design, regarding the balancing performance, communications,  payload capacity, among others.