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10 st / October 2015 www.sea-technology.com buoy and the application. A standard for most coastal sys- tems includes three cabinets: one which houses the telem- etry and power supplies, an- other that encloses the pump- ing apparatus and any sonde or optical sensing units, and an enclosure for nutrient sys- tems that must conduct wet chemistry and/or optional sample chambers for collec- tion. As fully confgurable platforms, available measure- ment parameters are limited only by market availability— if a sensor exists, chances are it can be incorporated into a system. Instruments available can measure everything from crude oil to chlorophyll with multiple mounting, communications and interface options to suit highly specifc applications. Data Buoy Types Three primary types of data buoys exist that lend them- selves to a few key environments that are commonly the subject of continuous monitoring. Although all coastal buoys can be fully customized to meet the specifc needs of a project, there are some standards. The frst and most fexible platform is the standard water quality buoy, which hinges its functionality on a multidepth sampling system that provides laboratory quality measurements in real time. The ability to perform fexible sampling and profling using multidepth intakes allow for varied applications and, since all instruments are mounted inside the buoy for protection and easy maintenance, the biofouling-resistant nature of the confguration is suitable for long-term freshwater or marine deployment. A second standard confguration is specifcally designed for hydrological and meteorological applications, such as with ports and harbors for assisted navigation or N ow, more than ever, environmental pollution is under the proverbial microscope of government agencies and the general public alike, with the common goal of learning about and protecting our precious natural resources. All ar- eas of the environment are under attack from urban sprawl, industry overgrowth and decades of waste pollution neglect. From our lakes and rivers to our oceans and estuaries there is a unifed global imperative to engage in actively protect- ing these environments. This starts with monitoring, for if we hope to protect something, we must frst understand its challenges and comprehend its current state. Earth's waterways are affected by a vast array of infu- ences, 80 percent of which originate from land-based activi- ties. Our oceans, bays, coastlines, estuaries and rivers are, although voluminous, fragile ecosystems that are constantly evolving to keep up with external pollution. Fertilizers, oil spills and toxic chemicals are just a few of the perils that necessitate keeping a close eye on marine and aquatic envi- ronmental conditions as a key component to any mitigation or remediation plan. Knowledge is power, and coastal monitoring platforms provide a safe and reliable way to acquire that knowledge. Historically, one of the more diffcult types of environments to monitor are coastal and estuarine waterways due not only to their sheer volume but their inherently harsh environ- mental and weather conditions. Most high-tech equipment tends not to fare well when left alone in these conditions, but with the advent of the coastal monitoring buoy, the level of autonomy possible is more effective and durable than ever. With relatively minimal maintenance, these foating monitoring platforms are virtually limitless in what they can measure, all while using the power of the sun and wireless communication protocols that defne a remote-monitoring solution. Data buoys provide a noninvasive, remote option for monitoring nearly any environmental parameter, and do so with relatively simple confgurations. The bulk of the equip- ment comprises the fotation buoy, which can range from a 2-ft.-tall lake foat to large coastal buoys that can mea- sure more than 13 ft. in height. The basic hardware setup for each type of monitoring buoy varies based on the size of the Comparison of Remote-Monitoring Buoys Flow-Through vs. In-Situ Systems By Cullen Danner • Chris Goding A coastal monitoring buoy installed for a water quality early-warning system, Project Neptune, in Singapore.