Understanding Wetland Effects on Water QualityProject Overview
The Beaver Creek Wetlands are located on 700 acres containing rare fens, marshes and forested areas. Over 470 species of plants can be found within these wetlands, some of which are endangered or threatened. Beaver Creek's Wetlands are also defined by their groundwater-dominated hydrology with high conductivity and nutrient levels. Public access to the Wetlands is available via 3/4 mile wheelchair-accessible boardwalk that leads visitors through some of the richest and most diverse areas of the 12 mile long corridor.
Wetlands help filter contaminated surface water and clean aquifers and streams. In addition, wetlands offer flood control for local areas and provide unique habitats for plants and animals.
Wright State University's Dr. Jim Amon, a microbial ecologist specializing in conservation ecology and restoration of wetlands, heads many research projects within the Beaver Creek Wetlands. NexSens Technology was recently involved in one such project to aid in designing, providing equipment for, and helping setup real-time weather and water monitoring systems at select locations within the Wetlands.
The project is part of a collaborative effort with 5 Ohio institutions: Ohio State University, Wright State University, Shawnee State University, Central State University, and Kenyon College.
System Description
The Wright State Wetland monitoring project consists of two water quality hydrology stations and one weather station strategically located throughout the Wetlands. A NexSens 4100-iSIC Radio Data Logger and Vaisala WXT510 multi-parameter weather transmitter were setup to measure wind speed and direction, liquid precipitation, barometric pressure, air temperature, and relative humidity.
At the inlet to the Wetlands, a NexSens 4100-iSIC Radio Data Logger and YSI 6920 V-2 multi-parameter sonde were installed. The sonde is securely housed within a 4" PVC deployment pipe and simultaneously measures temperature, conductivity, pH, dissolved oxygen, and turbidity. Additionally, an OTT PS1 water level sensor was deployed within a 1" PVC deployment pipe, providing high accuracy water level measurements. The OTT hydrology sensors have been tested to meet the stringent standards required for USGS stream gauging. At the Wetlands outlet, a YSI 600XLM multi-parameter sonde measures temperature, conductivity, and water level. These YSI sondes feature the latest in sensor technology and are designed for weeks of deployment without maintenance or calibration.
Information gathered from real-time wind speed and direction data will be used to conduct concentrated burns within the Wetlands. Additionally, precipitation data will be used to correlate water level, quality, and flow during flood pulses. WSU researchers also hope to use the environmental data for studies in temperature differences, nitrogen and phosphors losses, and sediment removal.
With NexSens real-time data telemetry, software, and web hosting, Dr. Amon and other WSU researchers have access to real-time water and weather data at campus. This data is shared with other universities and interested parties via the NexSens web datacenter, WQdata.com. Each respective institution will have real-time environmental data available for internal research projects. In addition, all data will be made available at The Ohio State University's Olentangy River Wetlands Research Park (ORWRP) in Columbus, OH. | NexSens 1001 | iChart software | NexSens WQData-6 | Annual data hosting package for up to 6 field sites, additional site expansion available | 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 4100-iSIC | iSIC data logger with spread spectrum radio telemetry | NexSens MAST | 2" threaded aluminum pole for mounting sensor(s), data logger, solar panel, and/or antenna, 24" length. Ships with equipment pre-mounted. | NexSens A55 | Pole/wall mounting kit | NexSens A38 | Ground kit | NexSens A22 | Solar power kit, 20-watt | NexSens A46 | Yagi antenna, radio frequency, 866-960 MHz | NexSens A36 | RF cable, micro-loss, 6' | Vaisala WXT510AAA0AA00B0 | Multi-parameter weather sensor, SDI-12 | NexSens WXT510-M | Mounting kit for Vaisala WXT & WMT sensors, fits 2" male pipe thread | YSI 6920V2-01 | YSI 6920 V2-2 Sonde with temperature/conductivity sensor | YSI 6561 | pH sensor | YSI 6150 | ROX optical dissolved oxygen sensor with self-cleaning wiper | YSI 6136 | Turbidity sensor with self-cleaning wiper | YSI 6091 | Field cable, 25 ft. | YSI 603-003 | YSI 600XLM Sonde with temperature/conductivity & shallow vented level sensor | YSI 6191 | Vented field cable, 25 ft. |
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