| Title | Automated high frequency monitoring of Lake Maggiore through in situ sensors: system design, field test and data quality control |
| Abstract | A high frequency monitoring (HFM) system for the deep subalpine lakes Maggiore, Lugano and Como is under development within the EU INTERREG project SIMILE. The HFM system is designed to i) describe often neglected but potentially relevant processes occurring on short time scale; ii) become a cost-effective source of environmental data; and iii) strengthen the coordinated management of water resources in the subalpine lake district. In this project framework, a first HFM station (LM1) consisting of a monitoring buoy was placed in Lake Maggiore. LM1 represents a pilot experience within the project, aimed at providing the practical know-how needed for the development of the whole HFM system. To increase replicability and transferability, LM1 was developed in-house, and conceived as a low-cost modular system. LM1 is presently equipped with solar panels, a weather station, and sensors for water temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, conductivity, and chlorophyll-a. In this study, we describe the main features of LM1 (hardware and software) and the adopted Quality Assurance/Quality Control (QA/QC) procedures. To this end, we provide examples from a test period, i.e., the first 9-months of functioning of LM1. A description of the software selected as data management software for the HFM system (IstSOS) is also provided. Data gathered during the study period provided clear evidence that coupling HFM abd discrete sampling for QA/QC controls is necessary yo produce accurate data and to detect and correct errors, mainly because of sensor fouling and calibration drift. These results also provide essential information to develop further the HFM system and shared protocols adapted to the local environmental (i.e., large subalpine lakes) and technical (expertise availability) context. The next challenge would be making HFM not only a source of previously unaffordable information, but also a cost-effective tool for environmental monitoring. |
| Source | Journal of limnology (Testo stamp.) 80 (2) |
| Keywords | Water qualitychlorophylldata managementsensorsSIMILE project |
| Journal | Journal of limnology (Testo stamp.) |
| Editor | Istituto per lo Studio degli Ecosistemi., Verbania Pallanza, Italia |
| Year | 2021 |
| Type | Articolo in rivista |
| DOI | 10.4081/jlimnol.2021.2011 |
| Authors | Tiberti, Rocco; Caroni, Rossana; Cannata, Massimiliano; Lami, Andrea; Manca, Dario; Strigaro, Daniele; Rogora, Michela |
| Text | 481862 2021 10.4081/jlimnol.2021.2011 ISI Web of Science WOS 000663904900005 Water quality chlorophyll data management sensors SIMILE project Automated high frequency monitoring of Lake Maggiore through in situ sensors system design, field test and data quality control Tiberti, Rocco; Caroni, Rossana; Cannata, Massimiliano; Lami, Andrea; Manca, Dario; Strigaro, Daniele; Rogora, Michela Natl Res Council Italy; Univ Appl Sci Southern Switzerland SUPS; Univ Pavia A high frequency monitoring HFM system for the deep subalpine lakes Maggiore, Lugano and Como is under development within the EU INTERREG project SIMILE. The HFM system is designed to i describe often neglected but potentially relevant processes occurring on short time scale; ii become a cost effective source of environmental data; and iii strengthen the coordinated management of water resources in the subalpine lake district. In this project framework, a first HFM station LM1 consisting of a monitoring buoy was placed in Lake Maggiore. LM1 represents a pilot experience within the project, aimed at providing the practical know how needed for the development of the whole HFM system. To increase replicability and transferability, LM1 was developed in house, and conceived as a low cost modular system. LM1 is presently equipped with solar panels, a weather station, and sensors for water temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, conductivity, and chlorophyll a. In this study, we describe the main features of LM1 hardware and software and the adopted Quality Assurance/Quality Control QA/QC procedures. To this end, we provide examples from a test period, i.e., the first 9 months of functioning of LM1. A description of the software selected as data management software for the HFM system IstSOS is also provided. Data gathered during the study period provided clear evidence that coupling HFM abd discrete sampling for QA/QC controls is necessary yo produce accurate data and to detect and correct errors, mainly because of sensor fouling and calibration drift. These results also provide essential information to develop further the HFM system and shared protocols adapted to the local environmental i.e., large subalpine lakes and technical expertise availability context. The next challenge would be making HFM not only a source of previously unaffordable information, but also a cost effective tool for environmental monitoring. 80 Published version Articolo in rivista Istituto per lo Studio degli Ecosistemi. 1129 5767 Journal of limnology Testo stamp. Journal of limnology Testo stamp. J. limnol. Testo stamp. Journal of limnology. Testo stamp. TIBERTI ROCCO CARONI ROSSANA michela.rogora ROGORA MICHELA dario.manca MANCA DARIO andrea.lami LAMI ANDREA |
