Environmental data management is the process of collecting data from sensors, surveys, observations, etc. and turning it into relevant information for monitoring and assessment of ecological conditions. Through data collection, interpretation and analysis, scientists and researchers can forecast future risks to our natural resources and help better understand our current conditions.
History
Technology has made environmental data management more accessible to organizations and easier to use for individuals. In the past, many companies and individuals had little concern for waste and pollution. This lead to the contamination of many streams, rivers, and lakes that are used for drinking water and recreation activities. To increase awareness and monitoring of pollution, the United States Congress passed the Clean Water Act of 1977 and Water Quality Act of 1987.
With growing populations and increased pollution, it has become a top concern of many environmental organizations to preserve and protect our natural resources. To monitor the environment, scientists and researchers take readings from environmental measurement instruments and record the results. Data is then entered into a database for further analysis. Historically, data entry has been a manual process. Now, with the emergence of digital instruments and direct computer interface, automatic data entry methods are beginning streamline environmental data management practices.
Manual Data Entry
Manual data entry has been the primary means for scientists to record their findings by handwriting or typing. This method of recording data has been around for hundreds of years. With the invention of the computer and other electronic devices, researchers can now convert handwritten data into a spreadsheet or database. Manually entering this data allows for a high risk of error from misspelling or mistyping. With various formats to record data in, it can become a complex and confusing process to share data with others.
Today, a virtually unlimited amount of data readings can be collected from sensors, making it an overwhelming task to enter that amount of information into a database by hand. Manual data entry is still used today, but is quickly becoming obsolete with the continuing development of automatic data entry.
Automatic Data Entry
Electronic sensors have allowed scientists to output their findings into a digital format, which can be automatically processed and stored by a computer program. This method of data collection has proven to greatly increase the accuracy of the measurements taken from the environment, as well as speed up the entire process of environmental monitoring. Though the collection and organization of environmental data has become simplified, sharing this information with colleagues and formatting it is still an emerging technology.
NexSens WQData PRO
WQData PRO is an enterprise class and business critical solution for environmental data management. It assists with collecting, storing, analyzing, editing, interpreting, sharing, and publishing environmental data. A wide variety of biological, physical, and chemical parameters along with many other environmental observations and project information are effectively managed with this powerful and robust data management system.
The modular and customizable layout offers a flexible and easy-to-use approach to environmental data management. Database feeds include: automatic & manual data import, remote data input, real-time instrument interface, and active data sourcing from USGS, NOAA, NWS, and other public data sources. Built with an open architecture and advanced database technology, this easy-to-use data management system is powerful, scalable, and highly customizable.
Conclusion
Since not all forms of environmental data collection can be automated, WQData PRO offers the flexibility of both manual and automatic data entry. The personalized database interface facilitates a smooth transition from legacy databases. It allows the user to quickly filter and sort a large database of information and easily share it with other colleagues in a common format or even publish it for the public to view. It can seamlessly interact with most existing data collection stations, field computers, and other devices. WQData PRO is the next technological step forward in environmental data management.