Turbidity Dredge MonitoringProject Overview
A large Midwest consulting firm was contracted to remove contaminated sediments from an embayment of Lake Michigan. As part of the regulations, the firm had to monitor turbidity from two depths and five locations surrounding the dredge in order to ensure that contaminated sediment levels did not exceed a specified range in the water. If sediment levels did fall outside of the range, the dredge operator would have to be notified to slow down or alter the dredging operation.
System Description
NexSens Technology was contacted to configure and help setup a notification system that met the requirements of the consulting firm's specs. Using NexSens 4100-iSIC data loggers with radio telemetry and OBS turbidity sensors, five NexSens data buoys were strategically anchored around the dredge. The OBS sensors measured turbidity at both 5 and 10 meter depths.
During the dredging operations, this data was collected at constant intervals and sent through license-free radio waves to the base station, where turbidity was being closely monitored in real-time using NexSens iChart software. When turbidity exceeded the regulatory limits, the dredge operator was immediately notified using a handheld radio.
With the NexSens real-time turbidity monitoring system, the contractors were able to safely and successfully dredge the embayment. | NexSens 1001 | iChart software | NexSens 4100-BASE | Spread spectrum radio base station | NexSens A41 | Omni antenna, radio frequency, 890-970 MHz | NexSens A31 | RF cable, low-loss, 10' | NexSens MB-300 | Monitoring buoy, 30" dia. polymer-coated foam hull, 300 lb. buoyancy | Carmanah 501-A15 | LED Beacon with solar power, 15 flashes per minute (064), amber | NexSens 4100-iSIC | iSIC data logger with spread spectrum radio telemetry | NexSens A20 | Solar power kit, 5-watt. Includes solar panel, regulator, 8.5 A-Hr battery & watertight enclosure | NexSens A44 | High gain antenna, radio frequency, 3 dB | NexSens A36 | RF cable, micro-loss, 6' | Campbell OBS-3+-SB-2.5-T2 | OBS-3+ Turbidity sensor with stainless steel housing (500m depth), 0-2.5V output, 0-500 NTU (low range), 0-2000 NTU (high range) |
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