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ADCP fixed sensor at West Point,
deployed
June 2009
B1 sensor array off Denning's Point,
redesigned and redeployed April 2009
Deployment of REON Sensor Platform,
August 2008
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Observational data is streaming in real time from two sensor arrays in the Hudson River -- the B1 floating sensor array off of Denning's Point in Beacon. There are two fixed sensor arrays -- one near the USGS station at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and the newest at the site of Dutch Apple Cruises in Albany, plus a mobile monitoring system..
Meteorological sensors measure wind direction, flow and speed, as well as air temperature and barometric pressure.
Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler (ADCP) to measure water current and flow rate—fundamental information to set a baseline for other hydrologic parameters.
Computer controlled autonomous robotic profiler with multiple sensors to take a series of measurements of the river at several depths and/or locations:
- Conductivity (salinity), Temperature and Depth (CTD): These basic water quality parameters are important alone, but when coupled with others, provide scientists with important information about the quality of the ecosystem.
- Laser In-Situ Scattering and Transmissometery (LISST): A narrow red laser beam shone into the water can measure the amount of particles in the water and their size range.
- Optical Oxygen Sensor: This new kind of sensor uses optical fluorescence technology to detect the amount of oxygen in the water. Oxygen is another important indicator of ecological health.
- Three-Channel Fluorimeter (FL3): A unique instrument that provides biological, physical and chemical data.
- Chlorophyll A (biological) measures the presence of algae, which can be a food source at certain levels, but overabundance can be detrimental to ecosystem.
- Fluorescein (physical) is a harmless green dye that, when placed in the water, can be used to track water movement in the river. This can be useful for modeling and predicting where pollutants can flow.
- Color Dissolved Organic Matter (CDOM) (chemical) is of interest as a natural water mass tracer. Dissolved organic matter can affect how organic contaminants and metals distribute themselves in the environment.
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