Located within the quickly developing area of northern Columbus and southern Delaware County, the Olentangy River is a tributary of the Scioto River in Ohio.
Despite rapid housing and business development around the Columbus area, the Olentangy River has seen an improvement in water quality, as it was upgraded to an exceptional warm water habitat by the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency.
Recently, Ohio State University’s Wilma H. Schiermeier Olentangy River Wetland Research Park contacted NexSens Technology to install a water quality monitoring station with radio telemetry in the Olentangy River.
Discrete but powerful monitoring system
Using a NexSens 4100-iSIC spread spectrum radio data logger and a YSI 6600 V2 sonde, OSU researchers are able to monitor water quality data from their research facility.
Measurement parameters include temperature, conductivity, dissolved oxygen, pH, ORP, turbidity, chlorophyll, and water level. This station is a complement to the NexSens real-time wetland monitoring system already in place, which covers the 25-acre marshy wetland.
An ISCO 6712 Portable Sampler is also mounted along the bridge. Connected to the sampler is an iSIC data logger, which can automatically trigger it based on high/low parameter readings. For advanced sampling, the iSIC data logger can also automatically run any sampling program stored within the automated sampler.
NexSens engineers mounted a secure deployment pipe to a structure along the side of a bike path bridge. The bike path is a common route to campus for Ohio State students, so it was essential that the water quality station did not disrupt student traffic. Additionally, the deployment pipe features a locking well cap to prevent the sonde from being vandalized or stolen.
Having the deployment pipe at the top of the bridge means wetland researchers are able to maintain the sensors without entering the river. This is especially beneficial during periods of high water and the frigid winter months. The deployment pipe is equipped with a tethered breakaway system to allow for harsh river conditions; if too much debris builds up against the pipe, it will break away, but the deployment apparatus and water quality sonde will be contained by a stainless steel cable.
Perhaps the most beneficial aspect of the NexSens water quality monitoring network, though, is the ability to monitor data in real time from the newly constructed campus wetland research building.
“It is the ecological analogy of seeing the score of a game as it is happening as opposed to reading about it the next day,” said Dr. William Mitsch, wetlands scientist and director of the ORWRP.
Thousands of people visit the ORWRP every year to observe wildlife, conduct research, and enjoy the beautiful landscape. The ORWRP is not just a research park; it is also open to the general public. It is located immediately north of OSU’s campus and is open daily from 9 a.m. to sundown.
The NexSens iSIC V2 Environmental Data Logger offers the latest in real-time monitoring technology with wireless communication, large plug-and-play sensor library, and ultra-low power consumption.
The YSI EXO represents the next generation of water quality instruments from YSI. The EXO2 sonde includes six sensor ports and a central anti-fouling wiper option.
WQData LIVE is a web-based project management service that allows users 24/7 instant access to data collected from remote telemetry systems.