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✍️ By: Team BC1.NL
Warming raises the risk of algal blooms
Due to the increasing global warming, the risk of excessive algae growth has increased. Therefore, it is important to quickly detect where and when this algae growth occurs in surface water.
The EcoWatch reads the colour of the water every ten minutes
BlueLeg Monitor from Sneek in the Netherlands, has developed the EcoWatch for this purpose. It is a stand-alone field monitor that assesses the water, based on its color. A measurement is taken every 10 minutes, ensuring that the data is always up-to-date. This allows for quick intervention if, for example, blue-green algae is detected in the water.
How do you measure water quality without people?
The EcoWatch measures independently, so no people are needed. Every ten minutes it takes a measurement of the water, generating data continuously. Normally lab samples were taken: someone had to fetch water and send it to the lab. Now that is needed far less, so fewer people are needed, which is cost effective.
How do you know if there is blue-green algae in a swimming lake?
Especially in summer there are problems with blue-green algae in recreational water, and this is water where many people and many children swim. The EcoWatch checks it, based on the data it is possible to see whether blue-green algae is present, so people can be warned not to swim for the time being. The same device can be used to check water inlets or at a fish farm; wherever it matters to measure surface water.
Can you also measure by hand?
That is what the WISP is for, a handheld device that measures in the same way as the EcoWatch, using the light spectrum, and that you can take anywhere. On the Paterswoldsemeer it is used daily at about 32 different locations, which gives a good overall picture of the water quality of the entire lake. All measurements are stored on an SD card that can later be read by a computer.
What is the next step?
Linking satellite data to the measurements in the water, including those of the EcoWatch. That would give a picture of the whole lake from space, and make it possible to spot blue-green algae that the wind can carry towards the swimming area.
BlueLeg Monitor is in the SME Innovation Top 100
BlueLeg Monitor is one of the companies featured in the SME Innovation Top 100 in the Netherlands. On July 5th, the Chamber of Commerce announced the names of 100 companies selected by an expert jury. On September 29th 2016, during Innovation Day, the most innovative company in the Netherlands will be revealed for the upcoming period.
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