This project utilized the resources of Penn State along with the input of a local community group in order to fill a gap in knowledge of local water quality. Many small waterways are unmonitored, or only occasionally assessed by USGS or the EPA if there is a concern in a larger adjacent waterway; for example, a chemical spill in the Monongahela River might affect the Youghiogheny River, which is a tributary, but only the Monongahela River is routinely monitored. By connecting with community groups of concerned citizens and helping them to become citizen scientists, we are creating a data network that will give much more comprehensive picture of our local water quality. This sensor is called the AWQUA (Autonomous Water Quality Utility for Analysis) and it currently monitors water quality by taking water depth, temperature and electric conductivity measurements. The AWQUA project is currently in the final stages of completion for dissemination back into the community. Since we have worked closely with our local group to develop the sensors, we have a pool of individuals to assist with testing them within the environment and reporting on difficulties or improvements that may need to be made to the AWQUA to make it more robust or easier to use. It is important the community groups stay in communication with the local liasons to ensure that they are available for feedback when the project reaches a point for testing. Both parties benefit from remaining in communication through the process as they can develop the device or protocol that best meets both their needs. This project is advancing the understanding of sources of salinity, stormwater and non-point source pollution, all of which have contaminants with the potential to impact human health.

Citizen science in action : water quality monitoring using Arduino sensors

ACS Spring Meeting 2021

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.