Periodic Reporting for period 3 - MONOCLE (Multiscale Observation Networks for Optical monitoring of Coastal waters, Lakes and Estuaries)
Período documentado: 2021-02-01 hasta 2022-07-31
Satellites provide unparalleled observation coverage of the optical water quality of oceans and inland, transitional and coastal waterbodies, but reference measurements taken in the field are required to develop and validate satellite data interpretation methods, particularly in 'optically complex' water types encountered in lakes, rivers and coastal zones. Scarcity of suitable in situ observations hampers global assurance of the quality of satellite-observed water quality. It is important to improve the validation of satellite-based services so that satellite data can be used widely in international water quality monitoring procedures and agreements and help increase our resilience to water quality threats in a rapidly changing environment.
MONOCLE aimed to improve integrated satellite and in situ water quality services, first and foremost by providing suitable instrumentation. Automated, accurate reference sensors, strategically positioned offshore or mounted on ships, complemented with low-cost devices that could be operated by non-experts, are part of the developed solutions. The use of remotely piloted aircraft (drones) and smartphone extensions complement this effort to capture micro-scale variations in optical water quality. Low-cost sensors were produced or improved to observe vertical transparency and mixing. Data reporting from low-cost devices were supported through mobile platforms. Standardized data formats were then implemented to ensure wide and sustainable use in near real-time and in future.
To ensure future sustainability of the sensors and data networks, MONOCLE made wide use of open-source licensing and produced training materials for independent use and capacity building.
Several prototypes were generated and some are already available for purchase at the end of the project, with technical specification and supplier contact information provided through the project website, which also provides an overview of ways to interact with, and contribute to, the growing collection of data generated by with MONOCLE and supported devices.
MONOCLE aimed to improve integrated satellite and in situ water quality services, first and foremost by providing suitable instrumentation. Automated, accurate reference sensors, strategically positioned offshore or mounted on ships, complemented with low-cost devices that could be operated by non-experts, are part of the developed solutions. The use of remotely piloted aircraft (drones) and smartphone extensions complement this effort to capture micro-scale variations in optical water quality. Low-cost sensors were produced or improved to observe vertical transparency and mixing. Data reporting from low-cost devices were supported through mobile platforms. Standardized data formats were then implemented to ensure wide and sustainable use in near real-time and in future.
To ensure future sustainability of the sensors and data networks, MONOCLE made wide use of open-source licensing and produced training materials for independent use and capacity building.
Several prototypes were generated and some are already available for purchase at the end of the project, with technical specification and supplier contact information provided through the project website, which also provides an overview of ways to interact with, and contribute to, the growing collection of data generated by with MONOCLE and supported devices.
Eight sensor systems and associated data services were developed including three reference radiometry systems, a workflow to use imaging cameras on consumer-grade drones, and colour and transparency observations. Low-cost innovations were tested within existing citizen science groups. The project implemented standardized data flows and provided developer tools to access, query and quality control resultant data. To guide this work, user requirements were collected through a public survey and final performance was assessed against technical and cost specifications. Future uptake to the innovations was supported through a series of webinars, factsheets, brochures, user guides and dedicated website sections showcasing the new sensors and platforms.
Mature (TRL 6 or higher) sensor prototypes were developed to measure water colour (reflectance) and atmospheric conditions on ship, buoy and static platforms, resulting in scientific publications to prove the added value of integrating observations from these systems (So-Rad, HSP1), while a mobile version of the proven WISPstation (WISP-M) reached the first prototype stage. Sensors deployed in the water column include those for low-cost transparency (KdUino, Mini-Secchi disk) as well as kits to obtain nutrient status and turbidity (FreshWater Watch - FWW). The buoy-type transparency system KdUINO resulted in several designs for hobbyists and professionals. A smartphone-based spectropolarimeter (iSPEX 2) was set up for mass-production including a data processing chain and colour detection through smartphone cameras was improved through careful calibration. Drone-based observations are now supported from start to end (deployment by non-experts and resultant maps of chlorophyll-a, turbidity) through the MapEO-Water platform. Citizen science through the FWW platform was prepared to include the additional low-cost observation systems, and existing databases of citizen science observatories (FWW) as well as the largest lake optical research data repository (LIMNADES) were included in the set of standardized data services.
Mature (TRL 6 or higher) sensor prototypes were developed to measure water colour (reflectance) and atmospheric conditions on ship, buoy and static platforms, resulting in scientific publications to prove the added value of integrating observations from these systems (So-Rad, HSP1), while a mobile version of the proven WISPstation (WISP-M) reached the first prototype stage. Sensors deployed in the water column include those for low-cost transparency (KdUino, Mini-Secchi disk) as well as kits to obtain nutrient status and turbidity (FreshWater Watch - FWW). The buoy-type transparency system KdUINO resulted in several designs for hobbyists and professionals. A smartphone-based spectropolarimeter (iSPEX 2) was set up for mass-production including a data processing chain and colour detection through smartphone cameras was improved through careful calibration. Drone-based observations are now supported from start to end (deployment by non-experts and resultant maps of chlorophyll-a, turbidity) through the MapEO-Water platform. Citizen science through the FWW platform was prepared to include the additional low-cost observation systems, and existing databases of citizen science observatories (FWW) as well as the largest lake optical research data repository (LIMNADES) were included in the set of standardized data services.
The MONOCLE environmental sensors, platforms and data services are ready to provide the Earth observation research communities with a rapidly replenishing volume of reference observation data to help reduce global satellite observation uncertainty. Expanding the sensor network over a diverse range of optical water bodies will fulfil the ongoing needs of global space agencies for sensor calibration and validation over optically complex waters, and support environment agencies in integrating data flows from routine monitoring, citizen science projects and automated systems, particularly in water types that are currently undersampled.
The project has delivered mature systems to target lower-cost water colour radiometry, increase automation and to empower citizen scientists. Cost-effectiveness of in situ observation networks will improve through an increased volume of observations and increasing the interval between absolute calibrations by exploiting redundant measurements. Methodologies to optimize the integration of the point-based (and often, shore-based) observation with satellite observation and high-end reference stations will be developed to provide quality assured data from multiple sources. It is expected that these methodologies and the demonstration cases will highlight the importance of non-expert observations in data-poor areas. However, there remains work to be done to move low-cost devices into actual 'citizen science' frameworks - whilst the technology is now ready, engagement of communities to tackle local issues is key.
Management of water resources towards Sustainable Development Goal 6 will rely, due to significant data gaps, on reliable satellite observations. The satellite observation research and private sector also need in situ data to improve data interpretation methods, requiring measurements to be carried out that allow improved characterization of product uncertainties, thereby improving confidence in the correct use of satellite products. In turn, this requires an efficient network of sensors and data sharing. The solutions provided by MONOCLE are ready to contribute to this effort, which will need to be supported by space agencies, environment agencies and other umbrella organisations or data services such as Copernicus, all the while aligning the efforts of water quality observation in the field and from space assets.
The MONOCLE integrated observation service concept significantly lowers the technology and computing requirement for innovators in environmental observation in general, and water quality management in particular. The MONOCLE ‘back-end’ of data services is designed to be non-exclusive, operating on interoperable data standards of the Open Geospatial Consortium. The system now connects to multiple OGC data services, with data visualisation and analysis tools providing user interfaces which can be readily extended. Thus, the project boosts the innovation potential of app developers, environmental consultants, data analysts and visualisation artists worldwide, well beyond the duration of the project.
The project has delivered mature systems to target lower-cost water colour radiometry, increase automation and to empower citizen scientists. Cost-effectiveness of in situ observation networks will improve through an increased volume of observations and increasing the interval between absolute calibrations by exploiting redundant measurements. Methodologies to optimize the integration of the point-based (and often, shore-based) observation with satellite observation and high-end reference stations will be developed to provide quality assured data from multiple sources. It is expected that these methodologies and the demonstration cases will highlight the importance of non-expert observations in data-poor areas. However, there remains work to be done to move low-cost devices into actual 'citizen science' frameworks - whilst the technology is now ready, engagement of communities to tackle local issues is key.
Management of water resources towards Sustainable Development Goal 6 will rely, due to significant data gaps, on reliable satellite observations. The satellite observation research and private sector also need in situ data to improve data interpretation methods, requiring measurements to be carried out that allow improved characterization of product uncertainties, thereby improving confidence in the correct use of satellite products. In turn, this requires an efficient network of sensors and data sharing. The solutions provided by MONOCLE are ready to contribute to this effort, which will need to be supported by space agencies, environment agencies and other umbrella organisations or data services such as Copernicus, all the while aligning the efforts of water quality observation in the field and from space assets.
The MONOCLE integrated observation service concept significantly lowers the technology and computing requirement for innovators in environmental observation in general, and water quality management in particular. The MONOCLE ‘back-end’ of data services is designed to be non-exclusive, operating on interoperable data standards of the Open Geospatial Consortium. The system now connects to multiple OGC data services, with data visualisation and analysis tools providing user interfaces which can be readily extended. Thus, the project boosts the innovation potential of app developers, environmental consultants, data analysts and visualisation artists worldwide, well beyond the duration of the project.