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2013 | Buch

Smart Sensors for Real-Time Water Quality Monitoring

herausgegeben von: Subhas C Mukhopadhyay, Alex Mason

Verlag: Springer Berlin Heidelberg

Buchreihe : Smart Sensors, Measurement and Instrumentation

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SUCHEN

Über dieses Buch

Sensors are being utilized to increasing degrees in all forms of industry. Researchers and industrial practitioners in all fields seek to obtain a better understanding of appropriate processes so as to improve quality of service and efficiency. The quality of water is no exception, and the water industry is faced with a wide array of water quality issues being present world-wide. Thus, the need for sensors to tackle this diverse subject is paramount. The aim of this book is to combine, for the first time, international expertise in the area of water quality monitoring using smart sensors and systems in order that a better understanding of the challenges faced and solutions posed may be available to all in a single text.

Inhaltsverzeichnis

Frontmatter
Monitoring Pollutants in Wastewater: Traditional Lab Based versus Modern Real-Time Approaches
Abstract
Clean water - the most natural and yet the most precious natural resource that mankind needs. Current quality assessment methods of water parameters are mainly laboratory based, require fresh supplies of chemicals, trained staff and are time consuming. The ever-growing demand for simple, real-time and reliable techniques for the detection of pollutants and contaminants in the environment has sparked the development of remote detection and monitoring systems which include application specific sensors, instrumentation and signal processing. Real-time water quality monitoring is essential for National and International Health and Safety, as it can significantly reduce the level of damage and also the cost to remedy the problem. This book chapter critically compares the capabilities of traditional lab based and modern in situ methods for real-time wastewater quality monitoring and suggests further developments in this area.
O. Korostynska, A. Mason, A. I. Al-Shamma’a
In Situ Phosphate Monitoring in Seawater: Today and Tomorrow
Abstract
Phosphorus is an important macronutrient and the accurate determination of phosphorous species (namely phosphate) in environmental matrices such as natural waters and soils is essential for understanding the biogeochemical cycling of this element, studying its role in ecosystem health and monitoring the compliance with legislation. This paper is focused on phosphate determination in seawater. Thus, the sources, occurrence and importance of phosphate together with several aspects regarding the analysis and terminology used in the determination of this element in the ocean are briefly described. Existing and future in situ analytical techniques for the determination of phosphate in seawater are presented. Today’s in situ phosphate monitoring is dominated by different spectrophotometrical analyzers. Thus, a description of the basis, advantages and disadvantages of the different existing analyzers is provided. It seems that these techniques may be replaced in the near future by electrochemical sensors which provide excellent possibilities for phosphate determination with high precision, long lifetime, low detection limit and good reproducibility. Additionally, electrochemistry allows going further in miniaturization, provides a decrease in energy requirements and avoidance of additional reagents. Recently developed electrochemical methods for phosphate determination will lead to the first in situ autonomous sensor (ANESIS) which will fulfill all these expectations.
J. Jońca, M. Comtat, V. Garçon
Fluorescence and Phosphorescence Chemical Sensors Applied to Water Samples
Abstract
Due to the outstanding characteristics of both fluorescence and phosphorescence signals, they are widely applied to the construction of chemical sensors. The development of these sensors for the detection and quantification of compounds of environmental concern is an active research topic, daily enriched with the contribution of new works in the area. This chapter provides fundamentals and practical aspects of this type of sensors, focusing in those works devoted to quantify both organic and inorganic pollutants in environmental waters. The chapter is organized upon the basic functional units of a chemical sensor. A few examples of strategies of evaluation involving multivariate chemometric analysis are also discussed.
G. A. Ibañez, G. M. Escandar
Monitoring Wastewater Treatment Using Voltammetric Electronic Tongues
Abstract
In the early 1990s, the design and preparation of new control and quantification systems called Electronic Noses and Tongues became popular. The common denominator of these is the use of an array comprising a significant number of sensors (potentiometric, voltammetric, mass, optical, etc.) which, when conveniently grouped and using chemometric techniques, allow us to obtain qualitative, and even quantitative information on certain samples. One of the most interesting aspects of these systems is their capacity as classification techniques to distinguish and group products or complex mixtures based on their physicochemical similarity.
J. Soto, I. Campos, R. Martínez-Máñez
Automatic Water and Wastewater Quality Monitoring Systems
Abstract
Water and wastewater quality monitoring programs have to be established in order to fulfill current legal requirements as well as environmental and social concerns. This entails a large number of samples to be analyzed in a short period of time. Flow analysis techniques allow the automation of the analytical methodologies providing great advantages, i.e. improved reproducibility, low reagents consumption and waste generation, as well as high analysis frequency. Sequential Injection Analysis (SIA) is an excellent tool for developing automatic analyzers with multiparametric capabilities. In this chapter, four multiparametric SIA systems which are able to determine key parameters in water and wastewater such as BOD, COD, TOC, TSS, global N, total P, nitrate, nitrite, ammonium, orthophosphate, anionic detergents, sulfate, pH and conductivity are presented and discussed in detail.
V. Cerdà, J. Avivar, L. Ferrer, L. O. Leal
Development and Deployment of a Microfluidic Platform for Water Quality Monitoring
Abstract
There is an increasing demand for autonomous sensor devices which can provide reliable data on key water quality parameters at a higher temporal and geographical resolution than is achievable using current approaches to sampling and monitoring. Microfluidic technology, in combination with rapid and on-going developments in the area of wireless communications, has significant potential to address this demand due to a number of advantageous features which allow the development of compact, low-cost and low-powered analytical devices. Here we report on the development of a microfluidic platform for water quality monitoring. This system has been successfully applied to in-situ monitoring of phosphate in environmental and wastewater monitoring applications. We describe a number of the technical and practical issues encountered and addressed during these deployments and summarise the current status of the technology.
J. Cleary, D. Maher, D. Diamond
Nitrate Anion Sensors: Their Applications and a Case Study of Their Status in Waste Water from Selected Areas of Coastal Guyana via a Spectrophotometric Method
Abstract
It is not an easy task to synthesize nitrate anion selective sensors considering that a nitrate anion is trigonally shaped, heavy solvated, has weak basicity and is difficult to form robust hydrogen bonds with ligands. In addition, anion coordination is a difficult aspect of supramolecular chemistry. Many receptors reported to date are halide selective, but few are nitrate selective. Nitrate anion receptors synthesized to date include polyammonium, amide and urea receptors amongst others. In one instance the association constant of a nitrate receptor showing the highest degree of complexation is reported to be K a = 110M− 1 in 50% DMSO-d6/CDCl3 and 20M− 1 in 100% DMSO-d6 respectively. Globally, the presence of nitrate anions in water beyond the threshold limit can be deleterious to both flora and fauna life. Guyana’s waste and domestic water needs monitoring to assess the concentration of toxic anions and cations. High levels of nitrate anions beyond the threshold limit can induce the “blue baby” syndrome amongst other effects. One aspect of this chapter focuses on the determination of nitrate anion concentration from twelve selected areas of coastal Guyana using an ultraviolet spectrophotometric method. Areas monitored in Guyana were 58 Livelihood Village, Rose Hall Town, Skeldon GUYSUCO Estate, Good Hope, Ogle, Stabroek, Parika, Supenaam, Spring Garden in one instance. In another research endeavor, Georgetown Seawall Kingston, LBI, GUYSUCO Estate and the Canje river water at 20 and 40ft from the effluent were monitored. The results showed that the concentrations of nitrates were not as high as expected and are below the internationally accepted threshold values. In the first instance, the average concentration was measured to be 0.030 mg/L (± 0.039 mg/L), 0.064 mg/L (± 0.00292 mg/L), 0.203 mg/L (± 0.00738 mg/L), 1.772 mg/L (± 0.00 mg/L), 2.363 mg/L (± 0.839mg/L), 0.33 mg/L (± 0.156 mg/L), 0.168 mg/L (± 0.043mg/L), 0.142 mg/L (± 0.043 mg/L) and 0.178 mg/L (± 0.039 mg/L) respectively. In the second instance the measured results were 0.45 mg/L (± 0.039 mg/L), 0.01 mg/L (± 0.0033mg/L) and 0.015 mg/L (± 0.0023 mg/L) NO3- for Georgetown Seawall (Kingston area), LBI GUYSUCO Estate and the Canje river, 20 feet from the effluent respectively. The results were accepted at the 95% confidence level using statistical analyses. The US public Health Service designated the safe limit for nitrate in water as 45mg/L. The applicable range of concentrations using the above method is 0.1-2 mg/L NO3-. A maximum level of 45 mg/L is established as worldwide guidance for nitrate concentration in water. In Europe, the maximum permitted levels of nitrate in potable water is 50.0 mg/L, while in the US-EPA has established a guideline for the maximum level of nitrate-nitrogen of 10 mg/L. It can safely be informed that the twelve selected areas of coastal Guyana chosen are not polluted with anions. In an effort to improve water quality, the Government of Guyana has embarked on the construction of sand filtration and water treatment plants along the inhabited coastland of Guyana.
R. C. Jagessar
The Selection of Novel Planar Electromagnetic Sensors for the Application of Nitrate Contamination Detection
Abstract
Twenty four novel planar electromagnetic sensors based on the combination of meander and interdigital sensors have been designed and fabricated using the simple PCB technology for the application of nitrate contamination detection. Experiments were conducted to obtain the impedance characterization for each sensor, and the results were used to estimate the important parameters that influence the performance of the sensors based on the equivalent electrical circuits. Furthermore, the best sensors have been tested to detect nitrates contamination in distilled water from two sets of experiments. Firstly, two nitrate forms, namely sodium nitrates (NaNO3) and ammonium nitrates (NH4NO3), each of different concentration between 5 mg and 20 mg dissolved in 1 litre of distilled water were used to observe the sensor response. Secondly, NaNO3 and NH4NO3 were mixed in several different ratios dissolved in 1 litre of distilled water and the responses of the sensors were observed. The outcomes concluded that a sensor with the combination of interdigital sensor enclosed with a meander sensor can very well detect the presence of nitrate added into distilled water and is capable of distinguishing the concentration level. This paper will discuss the process that was involved to select the best sensor for the application of nitrate contamination detection.
M. A. Md. Yunus, S. C. Mukhopadhyay, M. S. A. Rahman, N. S. Zahidin, S. Ibrahim
Microwave Sensors for Real-Time Nutrients Detection in Water
Abstract
Current wastewater monitoring techniques rely on the use of nutrients detection as the result of some chemical reaction, which is undesirable for long-term use in real-time applications. In addition, new legislation may render such systems obsolete if they cannot reliably determine the amount of nutrients in wastewater relative to allowable levels. This chapter attempts to address this issue by considering the use of microwave sensing techniques as an alternative real-time approach that has the potential to monitor wastewater nutrients such as phosphate and nitrate. The method utilizes a broad range of microwave frequencies (1-15 GHz) and is demonstrated with two different types of structure for this purpose, namely a traditional resonant cavity and a flexible interdigitated electrode structure. A variety of experimental results are shown that validate the applicability of the microwave sensing for detecting phosphates and nitrates in the solutions. LabView software used for analysis of captured data and for easy user interpretation of this data is also demonstrated. Future work to be undertaken is discussed in relation to improving the performance of the sensor further, as well as adding the capability to automatically determine both the type and concentration of nutrients in water solutions.
A. Mason, O. Korostynska, A. I. Al-Shamma’a
Remote Monitoring of Water Quality for Intensive Fish Culture
Abstract
Water quality monitoring and forecasting plays an important role in modern intensive fish farming management. This paper describes an online water quality monitoring system for intensive fish culture in China, which is combined with web-server-embedded and mobile telecommunication technology. Based on historical data, this system is designed to forecast water quality with artificial neural networks (ANNs) and control the water quality in time to reduce catastrophic losses. The forecasting model for dissolved oxygen half an hour ahead has been validated with experimental data. The results demonstrate that multi-parametric, long-distance and online monitoring for water quality information can be accurately acquired and predicted by using this established monitoring system.
D. Li, S. Liu
ICT as an Enabler to Smart Water Management
Abstract
Water management in urban areas goes beyond the supply of drinking water or the collection and treatment of waste water. There is a growing interest in the use of Information Communication Technology (ICT), resulting in a large number of new applications that provide access to vast amounts of information generated by the diverse facilities, unthinkable a few years ago, which greatly facilitate the operation, maintenance and management tasks in a context of efficient and sustainable urban development. In this context water management is particularly important, especially when one considers the huge growth in demand in recent years in developed areas where the water footprint is increasing. The proper use of ICTs applied to urban water management allows gathering data to know in real time about supply and demand and put this information in the hands of managers to help them predictively manage demand, or adapt prices based on the demand. Encompassing every aspect related to water management and monitoring in a global platform is known as IWRM (Integrated Water Resources Management). These IWRM systems need a large amount of information to manage, with precision, water systems in urban environments. This information falls under three main headings: generation, transport and consumption; each of them presenting different characteristics thus demanding different treatment solutions. Currently there are numerous initiatives working in the field of ICT applied to water management, some of which will be outlined in this chapter.
V. Sempere-Payá, D. Todolí-Ferrandis, S. Santonja-Climent
Emerging Organic Contaminants in Groundwater
Abstract
Emerging organic contaminants (ECs) are compounds now being found in groundwater from agricultural and urban sources that were previously not detectable, or thought to be significant. ECs include pesticides and degradates, pharmaceuticals, industrial compounds, personal care products, fragrances, water treatment byproducts, flame retardants and surfactants, as well as ‘life-style’ compounds such as caffeine and nicotine. ECs may have adverse effects on aquatic ecosystems and human health. Frequently detected ECs include the anti-epileptic drug carbamazepine, the antibiotic sulfamethoxazole, the anti-inflammatories ibuprofen and diclofenac, and caffeine, as well as pesticide degradates. This means there will be challenges in the future in order to address these ECs and to minimise their impact on drinking water and ecosystems. In the coming decades, more ECs are likely to have environmental standards defined, and therefore a better understanding of environmental behaviour remains a priority.
Marianne Stuart, Dan Lapworth
Backmatter
Metadaten
Titel
Smart Sensors for Real-Time Water Quality Monitoring
herausgegeben von
Subhas C Mukhopadhyay
Alex Mason
Copyright-Jahr
2013
Verlag
Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Electronic ISBN
978-3-642-37006-9
Print ISBN
978-3-642-37005-2
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-37006-9

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