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Novel, Ultralight Platform for Mapping Water Quality Parameters in Low-Order Streams
Journal article   Peer reviewed

Novel, Ultralight Platform for Mapping Water Quality Parameters in Low-Order Streams

Ryan Felton, Brent J. Dalzell, John Baker, Kade D. Flynn and Sarah A. Porter
ACS ES&T water, Vol.3(10), pp.3305-3314
13/10/2023
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1021/acsestwater.3c00280

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5 Times Cited - Web of Science

UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

This output has contributed to the advancement of the following goals:

#6 Clean Water and Sanitation
#14 Life Below Water
#15 Life on Land

Source: InCites

Abstract

environmental monitoring flow path sampling agricultural watershed Packraft nitrate concentration dissolved phosphorus Computer simulations Mathematical methods probes sensors Water treatment
Advances in environmental sensors have resulted in new approaches for sampling streams and rivers from moving platforms including drifters, drones, and boats. Despite the range of sampling approaches, there remains an unoccupied niche for a platform large enough to support a scientist and instrument payload while also being small enough for small streams. In this paper, we describe the development of a sampling platform deployed from an inflatable raft (Packraft) intended for use in low-order systems. In addition to environmental sensors and a GPS unit, we also included the capability for automated collection of discrete water samples. We tested this platform by tracking nitrate (NO3–) with an optical sensor and dissolved reactive phosphorus (DRP) in discrete water samples collected from agricultural watersheds in Minnesota, USA. Data collected from the Packraft captured the effects of land use, subsurface tile drainage, and the presence of lakes and wetlands on NO3– concentration in the stream channel. Repeated sampling campaigns revealed temporal shifts in NO3– and DRP patterns. Spatially resolved observations in low-order streams that were previously inaccessible can provide new insights into the biogeochemistry of managed landscapes and may be helpful in guiding conservation efforts more effectively.

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