2022 Scientific Report
Intelligent aquaculture is realized through sensor networks integrated into underwater functional systems and devices. The sensors monitor water quality by measuring specific physical parameters of interest such as temperature, pH, salinity, conductivity, dissolved oxygen, or gaseous/solid contaminants, and the data are transmitted via wireless networks to specialized centres where they are recorded, following - their evolution over time.
The detection of nitrates and nitrites in the underwater environment is a current research topic because, currently, there is no commercial sensor that can provide real-time information about their quantities in seas and oceans. Nitrates and nitrites are monitored for the purpose of environmental protection, being also of interest for aquaculture farms; excessive water pollution with these compounds affects the health and life of fish. For example, nitrate concentrations that exceed the value of 1.5 g/L in 24 h lead to the death of fish.
As part of the activities carried out in 2022, an architecture of optical sensors dedicated to the controlled and precise measurement of nitrate concentrations in aqueous solutions was created. Nitrate concentrations were determined by two spectral methods. Through classical UV-VIS spectroscopy, the characteristics of the absorption/transmission bands of the different solutions used were determined. Establishing the intensities and spectral positions of the transmission bands of the solutions according to their concentrations allowed both the identification of the spectral regions of interest for the optical sensors and their calibration. The subsequent processing of the optical signals acquired by the optical sensors led to the determination of the number of photons absorbed in the analyzed solutions and the calculation of nitrate concentrations.
Dissemination:
International Conference:
1. A. Groza, M.Serbanescu, B. Bita, G. Suciu, C. Alexandru, M.Silion, “Testing of optical sensors for aquaculture applications”, ICLPR-ST Conference, 7-10 June, Bucharest, Romania
2. Mihai Serbanescu, Andreea Groza, Bogdan Bita, “Detection of contaminant molecules in seawater environment by novel UV diode based optoelectronic module”, 3d-ICOMAS Conference, Verona, 26-28 October 2022.