GatorByte: A Water-Quality Mapping Buoy for Locating Watershed Pollution Sources

Abstract

Currently, many available water resource monitoring systems and data loggers can be cost-prohibitive and are limited in spatial scale. These systems are frequently deployable as unattended stations or used as a handheld device. Hence, locating pollutant sources is difficult and relies on inference and watershed modeling. GatorByte is a mobile water-quality monitoring platform for collecting spatiotemporal water quality data. The GatorByte platform includes a data logger, a cloud-based server, and visualization tools. It uses low-cost sensors, components, a 3D-printed enclosure, and a Printed Circuit Board. The data logger uses a 4G-capable Arduino for real-time reporting of the sensor data. Currently, the GatorByte houses sensors for measuring pH, temperature, dissolved oxygen, and electroconductivity. The data logger also includes micro-SD storage and a Bluetooth module for on-field diagnostics. The buoy includes a GPS module for recording the location for every set of sensor readings and tracking the buoy in real-time. Using GatorByte, recording of variations in water quality data in both temporal and spatial dimensions can be achieved in a cost-effective and reliable manner, enabling quick detection and resolution of pollution events.