The AquaWatch pilot project (P3-17) aims to establish an effective water quality monitoring system in the Boston Bay region of Spencer Gulf, an area which encompasses one of the most diverse and productive aquaculture sectors in South Australia. The project design emphasizes the importance of integrating multiple data streams from in situ and satellite platforms to enhance the accuracy and reliability of water quality assessments.

The project successfully implemented a comprehensive sensor selection, buoy design, and installation plan. The site selection process involved collaboration with project partners at the South Australian Research and Development Institute (SARDI) to identify a suitable location that met essential requirements such as water depth, surface stability and proximity to aquaculture activities.

A monitoring station, consisting of a buoy platform integrated with a range of instruments and devices, was deployed to ensure precise measurements and calibration/validation of earth observation data. The selection of sensors included both above and below-water options such as the HydraSpectra sensor, Xylem YSI multiparameter sonde, and a harmful algal index (HAI) sensor for on-site measurements. The Xylem DB1750 buoy was specifically chosen for its stability in the sea conditions of the region. Power was provided through solar panels and a rechargeable battery, while data logging and telemetry modules facilitated wireless transmission of sensor data. The deployed system encompasses various components, including the HydraSpectra sensor for above-water surface reflectance measurements, an Xylem YSI multiparameter sonde and harmful algal index (HAI) sensor for in-water measurements, a weather station, GPS, and sea light. The live data streams from the HydraSpectra sensor are transmitted to the CSIRO Senaps IoT platform for processing, while data from other sensors are uploaded and visualized using the Eagle.io platform.

The AquaWatch Data Integration and Analysis System (ADIAS) platform serves as a cloud-based data warehouse and analysis platform for the AquaWatch project. It facilitates the ingestion, tracking, processing, and analysis of in situ and remote sensing data. The in-situ data pipeline consolidates data from various sensors in a purpose-built datalake, enabling easy access and analysis through a single SQL interface in the ADIAS platform.

Empirical algorithm development and evaluation were conducted to derive water quality information from the integrated in situ and remote sensing data. The algorithm development process involved calibrating and quality-assuring the in-water and radiometric data, convolving the radiometric data to match the spectral resolution of the intended remote sensing sensor, and establishing empirical relationships between spectral features and water quality parameters.

Overall, the AquaWatch project has successfully implemented a comprehensive water quality monitoring system that integrates in situ and satellite observations. The project’s design, sensor selection, buoy installation, and data integration efforts have resulted in a cohesive data delivery system that provides timely and reliable water quality data for informed decision-making and effective management of the coastal aquaculture ecosystem in the Boston Bay region of Spencer Gulf. Several recommendations on in situ sensing, remote sensing, and their integration in AquaWatch analytics platform were also presented.