Bringing real world applications for wireless sensor networks into the classroom: Telemetric monitoring of water quality in an artificial stream [2012]
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24
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the beginning of a river. A tributary is a smaller stream or river that joins a larger or main river. A floodplain is relatively flat land stretching from either side of a river. Built of materials deposited by a river, it often is rich in nutrients. A meander is a loop in a river channel. Upstream is in the direction of the source of the river. Downstream is in the direction of the mouth of the river. Adapted from: http://www.ccge.org/resources/learninq centre/classroom activities/river system.asp Watersheds A watershed is defined as an area of land that drains to a common stream. This water (runoff) carries with it sediment (soil) and other suspended and dissolved materials. The type and amount of these materials are dictated by land uses within each area of the watershed. Watersheds range from largest river basins to smaller stream. Energy and Food Webs Energy cycles into, through and out of an ecosystem via plants and animals living in it. In an unshaded river or stream, the sun's energy is added to the ecosystem when aquatic plants photosynthesize. In a shaded stream, the sun's energy enters the ecosystem when leaves from overhanging trees drop into the water. In both cases, plants capture the sun's energy and convert it to a form that aquatic animals can use. energy can leave the aquatic ecosystem as well. Aquatic Macro-invertebrates Some aquatics macro-invertebrates, such as clams, are adapted to the quiet pools and lentic (slow-moving) areas of the streams. Most stream macro-invertebrates are benthic (bottom dwelling) and are accustomed to crawling on or attaching to the river bottom. Most benthic macro-invertebrates (BMI) live on and under rocks, logs, roots and other suitable substrates. They are adapted to swiftly moving water. They are also an important food source for your fish. BMIs as Water Quality Indicators Stream ecologists can determine the quality of a stream by sampling BMIs from stream bottoms. Most species must have clean water to live. Ecologists can compare BMI samples from a given stream to those from a similar, clean reference stream. By knowing the water quality and habitat needs of macro-invertebrates, people can use BMIs to determine if a stream has recently been impacted by pollution or habitat disturbance. Bio-assessment can also be used to monitor a stream over time. This is an inexpensive way to assess water quality so that an informed decision can be made on where to spend the money. Sensors are good indicators but only measure what you test. If a problem has been identifies then they can run a more expensive and complete set of tests. Water quality is a snapshot of the river system and monitoring overtime gives us trends and a more complete picture.
This poster discusses research on bringing real world applications for wireless sensor networks into the classroom and covers the use of a wireless sensor network (WSN) using the ZigBee protocol to remotely monitor an artificial aquatic ecosystem.
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Bunn, Zac; Guerrero, Jose; Wolf, Lori; Fu, Shengli; Hoeinghaus, David; Driver, Luke et al.Bringing real world applications for wireless sensor networks into the classroom: Telemetric monitoring of water quality in an artificial stream [2012],
report,
2012;
(https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc155617/m1/24/:
accessed April 23, 2024),
University of North Texas Libraries, UNT Digital Library, https://digital.library.unt.edu;
crediting UNT College of Engineering.