Water Quality Management

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Charles Freeman
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1 Water Quality Management Fraser River Estuary British Columbia, Canada AXYS 3 Metre water quality buoy automates data collection in the Fraser River Estuary for Environment Canada

2 The Fraser River Estuary is located on the West Coast of Canada, in the Vancouver area. The Fraser River is considered a globally significant environment due to an exceptionally diverse aquatic ecosystem with high economic value. However, it is now under increasing pressure from human activities.

Situation Environment Canada and the BC Ministry of Environment are mandated to routinely collect water quality samples at eight water quality monitoring stations (tributaries and

3 Situation Environment Canada and the BC Ministry of Environment are mandated to routinely collect water quality samples at eight water quality monitoring stations (tributaries and mainstreams) in the Fraser River basin. This has required manual sampling by technical staff on-site at all times to ensure sampling during specific stages in the estuarine tidal cycle.

Requirements Environment Canada needed to deploy the scientific buoy in the Main Arm of the Fraser River as it carries the majority of flow, (approximately 85% of the river discharge).

4 Requirements Environment Canada needed to deploy the scientific buoy in the Main Arm of the Fraser River as it carries the majority of flow, (approximately 85% of the river discharge). It was required to evaluate the water quality, measure contaminants entering into the Strait of Georgia, and provide the public and local decision makers with the online water quality information in near real time.

Requirements The station was expected to collect and measure the following parameters biweekly:» Wind speed and direction» Air temperature and relative humidity» Barometric pressure» Conductivity,

5 Requirements The station was expected to collect and measure the following parameters biweekly:» Wind speed and direction» Air temperature and relative humidity» Barometric pressure» Conductivity, temperature and depth (CTD)» Dissolved Oxygen (DO)» Turbidity» Surface Currents» Water Depth» High Volume SPE Water Sampler for POP s» Whole Water Samples for standard water chemistry» Analysis (nutrients, metals, organics)

Operational Considerations Location Variable flow conditions; 300-12,000m 3 /sec Large woody debris Marine traffic Maintenance Low maintenance

6 Operational Considerations Location Variable flow conditions; ,000m 3 /sec Large woody debris Marine traffic Maintenance Low maintenance hull (foam/aluminum) 4 year Primary battery life; external access for auxiliary battery exchange Easy WQ sensor cleaning/removal Easy sample access

AXYS Technical Solution: 3 Metre Oceanographic-Data-Acquisition-System (ODAS) Buoy» Modular, adaptable, rugged» Multi-mission capable» Advanced Water Sampling

7 AXYS Technical Solution: 3 Metre Oceanographic-Data-Acquisition-System (ODAS) Buoy» Modular, adaptable, rugged» Multi-mission capable» Advanced Water Sampling Enclosure» In-field servicing» Ease of sample collection» Verification of data quality» Assurance of continuous power Water Depth» Flexibility in communication media

AXYS Solution A complete suite of sensors, telemetry, a control system (WatchMan500 TM ) and power management system are integrated into the ODAS buoy.

8 AXYS Solution A complete suite of sensors, telemetry, a control system (WatchMan500 TM ) and power management system are integrated into the ODAS buoy.» 2 nodes with 1 GB compact flash datalogger» Inputs: 16 Digital IO, 32 Analog, 8 Serial, 1 SDI12, 10 Switch Power, and 4 Time Counter» Controls all system devices operation and communication» Expandable WatchMan500 TM Data Acquisition, Processing and Control Module

55 Watt panels» Underwater current power generator: ~3

9 AXYS Solution Solar panels Station Power» Power demand = ~10 AHrs/day» Batteries: 8 x 100 AHr» Solar Power: 6 x 55 Watt panels» Underwater current power generator: ~3 Amps with 3 knot current Underwater current power generator

10 Subsurface Sensor Access» Multi-parameter WQ probes Batteries: 8 x 100 AHr» Current Meter» Depth Transducer» Easy sensor maintenance with monthly inspections AXYS Solution Moon Pool and Cable Conduits

Display» Internet access to all transmitted data, graphing and data export Direct Serial

11 Station Data Management AXYS Data Management System (DMS)» Two-way command and control of data, station management and remote diagnostics» SQL database archival WebView Data Display» Internet access to all transmitted data, graphing and data export Direct Serial Connection» Access full system control and data AXYS Data Management System (DMS) screenshot

12 CDMA WQ Buoy Web Cam Image» Star Dot net cam Batteries: 8 x 100 AHr» No PTZ control, NMEA 4x enclosure not heated» 800x608 image» Data overlay interface input from WM500

13 Benefits Real-Time Data Access ODAS buoy transmits near real-time meteorological and water quality data which is accessible to the public.

14 Benefits Water Sampling System ODAS buoy supports extensive sampling and monitoring equipment. Samples of aqueous and particulate POP samples and organic contaminates are collected biweekly from the river using the AXYS sampling instrument Infiltrex300 TM.

automating the system and hence not allowing staff

15 Benefits Safety for Technical Staff ODAS buoy has increased the safety of the technical staff by automating the system and hence not allowing staff in the river for sampling in poor weather or at night.

Environment Canada provides weather forecasts and warnings 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to help protect the safety and security of Canadians and

16 Environment Canada provides weather forecasts and warnings 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to help protect the safety and security of Canadians and their property. AXYS are experts in the design, manufacturing, and maintenance of remote environmental data acquisition, processing and telemetry systems.

17 For More Information Marine Systems AXYS Technologies Inc. Phone: +1 (250)

Development of a Real-Time Water Quality Buoy for the Fraser River Estuary

Development of a Real-Time Water Quality Buoy for the Fraser River Estuary Anthony Ethier and Jeannette Bedard AXYS Technologies Inc. 2045 Mills Road West, Sidney, BC, Canada, V8L 5X2 Abstract - An innovative