Polski
Monitoring of water quality is an essential part of assessing and forecasting the state of the water environment. It forms the basis for taking corrective or preventive measures. One of the most innovative solutions in this area is the Australian AquaWatch project, based on monitoring water quality from space. It was launched in 2023, and work is currently underway to adapt it in the UK.
AquaWatch – monitoring water quality from space and land
AquaWatch is a mission of the Australian National Science Agency (CSIRO) carried out in cooperation with Smartsat CRS and other partners, launched in Q1 2023. It is the first system of its kind to monitor the Earth’s water quality from space, providing near real-time data and forecasts.
AquaWatch is based on the use of several technologies. The first involves monitoring water quality using hyperspectral optical sensors deployed on Earth satellites. The second technology, on the other hand, is sensors located in or just above the surface of the water, which allow in-situ detection of any deviations from the norm. Their role is important not only for acquiring accurate data in specific areas, but also for guaranteeing the remote sensing capabilities of images seen from space.
The combination of satellite and in-situ sensors, as well as the analysis of the data they provide, creates an integrated system that provides the ability to accurately monitor water quality and detect phenomena that negatively affect it, such as, but not limited to the presence of blue-green algae or sewage or spill pollution, posing a major risk not only to aquatic ecosystems but also to the economy.
As CSIRO chief executive Larry Marshall himself put it: AquaWatch is all about integrating Earth observation with other scientific capabilities such as in-situ sensing, ecosystem modeling, engineering, data analysis and artificial intelligence.
The AquaWatch system is designed to monitor all inland water bodies, including lakes, agricultural dams, reservoirs, streams, rivers, coastal lagoons, estuaries, and coastal waters and coral reefs, including the Great Barrier Reef.
UK implements water quality monitoring with AquaWatch system
Starting in 2023. CSIRO’s AquaWatch has set up a number of sites to monitor water quality in Australia. The technology was primarily tailored to domestic needs, but it is so versatile that it can be successfully implemented in other countries as well. This is exactly the step that the United Kingdom has decided to take. As part of the multi-year UK-Australia Space Bridge initiative, funded by the UK Space Agency’s International Bilateral Fund in cooperation with the Australian Space Agency, funds (3 million Australian dollars) have been provided for the development of the AquaWatch system in Australia and its deployment in the UK. This action is expected to enable the development of a world-class system to monitor water quality both in these countries and around the world.
The AquaWatch implementation in the UK is being carried out at Plymouth Marine Laboratory (PML). The system will be used to monitor water quality in the Tamar Bridge area, where there is a high risk of anthropological pollution in the form of sewage and heavy metals from the mine. In addition to this, work is also underway at PML to develop a system using AquaWatch infrastructure to monitor the impact on water quality of increasingly frequent floods.
Why is AquaWatch a breakthrough in water quality monitoring?
AquaWatch is a breakthrough in water quality monitoring for many reasons. Above all, it provides access to up-to-date data and forecasts for early warning of harmful phenomena such as algal blooms and pollution, and more effective management. The timely data provided is also a key tool to help communities better understand and manage the impact of these events on human health and the health of aquatic ecosystems.
In addition, monitoring and effective management of water quality and aquatic ecosystems will reduce the negative economic impact on industries that depend on a safe and healthy aquatic environment, such as fishing, tourism and recreation. The project will provide communities and decision-makers with a valuable tool to better understand and protect water resources in the face of increasing climate pressures and extreme weather events.
