Preprints
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-2261
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-2261
07 Aug 2024
 | 07 Aug 2024

Taking the pulse of nature – How robotics and sensors assist in lake and reservoir management

Sebastian Zug, Gero Licht, Erik Börner, Edjair de Souza Mota, Roberval Monteiro Bezerra de Lima, Eric Roeder, and Jörg Matschullat

Abstract. Ecosystems, like almost any environmental entity, are often highly sensitive to the presence of humans when measuring field characteristics. Robotic solutions deserve attention to avoid or greatly reduce related bias. Constant availability of robotic solutions, independent of the time of day and most weather conditions, is an additional advantage.

Here, we present an autonomous, Modular Aquatic Robotic Platform (MARP-FG) designed to collect relevant environmental information from surface waters. We define the demands, describe the encountered obstacles and how to overcome them. MARP-FG implements autonomous navigation and data collection capability across various floating-body configurations and sensor setups. Depending on the weight of the measurement system (payload), catamaran floaters with a length ranging from 1.2 meters to 2.5 meters are used. We realized and evaluated three different payloads based on the MARP-FG concept: i) Hydrographic profiling with a multi-parameter probe, ii) Sonar-based 3D mapping of complex basins, and iii) Dynamic closed chamber-based greenhouse gas exchange determination with on-board CO2 quantification (IR spectrometry) and gas sampling (Exetainers®) for subsequent gas-chromatographic analysis.

This work focuses on option iii) as a practical example to describe our design process and operational modes, thus minimizing faults and errors, especially in harsh environments. Full operation was possible to wave heights of ±40 cm and wind speeds to 7 m sec-1. Positioning accuracy during measurement cycles was on average better than ±2 m in xy directions. The platform has demonstrated its capabilities in field campaigns on lakes in the Amazon basin (Brazil) and on waterbodies in temperate climate regions of Europe. Largely improved and reproducible positioning on a waterbody, full functionality also under adverse weather conditions and during nighttime significantly enhanced high-quality data acquisition and opens new applications.

Publisher's note: Copernicus Publications remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims made in the text, published maps, institutional affiliations, or any other geographical representation in this preprint. The responsibility to include appropriate place names lies with the authors.
Sebastian Zug, Gero Licht, Erik Börner, Edjair de Souza Mota, Roberval Monteiro Bezerra de Lima, Eric Roeder, and Jörg Matschullat

Status: final response (author comments only)

Comment types: AC – author | RC – referee | CC – community | EC – editor | CEC – chief editor | : Report abuse
  • RC1: 'Comment on egusphere-2024-2261', Anonymous Referee #1, 29 Sep 2024
    • CC1: 'Reply on RC1', Sebastian Zug, 01 Oct 2024
  • RC2: 'Comment on egusphere-2024-2261', Anonymous Referee #2, 19 Nov 2024
  • AC1: 'Comment on egusphere-2024-2261', Jörg Matschullat, 21 Nov 2024
  • AC2: 'Comment on egusphere-2024-2261', Jörg Matschullat, 05 Dec 2024
Sebastian Zug, Gero Licht, Erik Börner, Edjair de Souza Mota, Roberval Monteiro Bezerra de Lima, Eric Roeder, and Jörg Matschullat
Sebastian Zug, Gero Licht, Erik Börner, Edjair de Souza Mota, Roberval Monteiro Bezerra de Lima, Eric Roeder, and Jörg Matschullat

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Short summary
Ecosystems are sensitive to human presence. Robotic solutions greatly reduce related bias. We present an autonomous, modular aquatic robotic platform to collect environmental information from surface waters with autonomous navigation, data collection capability and sensor setups. The platform demonstrated its capabilities on Amazon Basin and on European lakes. Reproducible positioning, functionality under adverse weather conditions and during nighttime enhanced high-quality data acquisition.