Novosibirsk State Technical University (NSTU) is developing a remote monitoring system for reservoirs that will allow analyzing the degree of pollution of water bodies.
Scientists at NSTU-NETI are developing a remote monitoring system for water bodies in the Novosibirsk Region to monitor their ecological status.
According to Nikolai Gromov, Head of the Department of Environmental Engineering at the Faculty of Aircraft, the usual monitoring approach, with direct sampling of water, does not allow for the rapid identification of violators, so it was decided to develop a remote monitoring system for water bodies using drones with cameras for multispectral analysis and data processing programs.
The uniqueness of the development lies in the application of an integrated approach to the search for illegal discharges. A remote monitoring system using ground-penetrating radar, which will detect pipes laid underground, will help detect the offending enterprise. The outlet of the pipe under water can be determined using a map of thermal pollution and an increase in the concentration of pollutants. In addition, the development implies a fundamentally new sampling method for multispectral analysis, in which the instrument error is practically reduced to zero.
"The system is a mobile laboratory with several UAVs that will conduct remote spectral analysis and take samples. As a result, we will get a solid map of the water body with the dynamics of its condition," Nikolai Gromov said, adding that such monitoring can also show bacteriological contamination.
"Microorganisms can be an indirect sign of the presence of organic substances, for example, a nearby pulp and paper mill. In addition, multispectral analysis will make it possible to determine the content of nitrogen and phosphorus compounds — here we are talking about fertilizers," said Nikolai Gromov.
The scientist named among the potential customers of the first domestic remote monitoring system of water bodies the Ministry of Natural Resources and Ecology of the Novosibirsk region, Rosprirodnadzor, Rospotrebnadzor and large water user enterprises that may suffer significant losses from accidental pollution.
Earlier, the Department of Environmental Engineering presented an innovative method for cleaning soils from oil and petroleum products. The basis of the development was a protective shield that helps to quickly collect mixtures of hydrocarbons after their spill.