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New water and air pollution sensors added to the Sonic Kayak citizen science system for low cost environmental mapping

View ORCID ProfileAmber GF Griffiths, Joanne K Garrett, James P Duffy, Kaffe Matthews, Federico G Visi, Claire Eatock, Mike Robinson, David J Griffiths
doi: https://doi.org/10.1101/2020.11.03.366229
Amber GF Griffiths
1FoAM Kernow, Studio F, Jubilee Warehouse, Commercial Road, Penryn, TR10 8AE, UK
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  • ORCID record for Amber GF Griffiths
  • For correspondence: amber@fo.am
Joanne K Garrett
1FoAM Kernow, Studio F, Jubilee Warehouse, Commercial Road, Penryn, TR10 8AE, UK
2European Centre for Environment and Human Health, University of Exeter Medical School, Knowledge Spa, Royal Cornwall Hospital, Truro, Cornwall, TR1 3HD, UK
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James P Duffy
1FoAM Kernow, Studio F, Jubilee Warehouse, Commercial Road, Penryn, TR10 8AE, UK
3Environment and Sustainability Institute, University of Exeter, Penryn, Cornwall, TR10 9FE, UK
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Kaffe Matthews
4Bicrophonic Research Institute, Studio#13, ExRotaprint, Gottschedstr. 4, 13357 Berlin
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Federico G Visi
4Bicrophonic Research Institute, Studio#13, ExRotaprint, Gottschedstr. 4, 13357 Berlin
5GEMM))) Gesture Embodiment and Machines in Music, Luleå University of Technology, School of Music in Piteå, Snickargatan 20, 941 63 Piteå, Sweden
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Claire Eatock
6Access Lizard Adventure, 6 Bodriggy Villas, Hayle, TR27 4PG, UK
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Mike Robinson
7Volunteer citizen scientist
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David J Griffiths
1FoAM Kernow, Studio F, Jubilee Warehouse, Commercial Road, Penryn, TR10 8AE, UK
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Abstract

Sonic Kayaks are low-cost open-source systems for gathering fine-scale environmental data. The system is designed to be simple to fit on to standard kayaks or canoes, and full instructions have been made available for anyone wishing to build their own. The first version included temperature sensors and a hydrophone for recording underwater sound. Here we outline the design and integration of two new sensors, for underwater turbidity and above water air particulate pollution. All sensors record continually, and the GPS location, time and date are also stored for every data point, allowing fine-scale environmental data mapping. The data being collected by the sensors is sonified (turned into sound) in real-time, allowing the paddler to hear the data as they are collecting it, making it possible to locate and follow interesting occurrences. We present proof-of principle data for the first time for all the sensors, demonstrating how the system can be used for environmental mapping, and discuss potential future applications and adaptations. We believe the Sonic Kayak system offers particular promise for citizen science and environmental activism, as well as allowing professional researchers to gather data that was previously difficult or impossible to obtain.

Competing Interest Statement

The authors have declared no competing interest.

Footnotes

  • https://zenodo.org/record/3923743#.X0j2OHWYVH4

  • https://zenodo.org/record/4041588

  • https://zenodo.org/record/4032599

  • https://github.com/fo-am/sonic-kayaks/wiki

  • https://github.com/fo-am/sonic-kayaks

  • https://github.com/fo-am/sonic-kayaks/tree/master/mapping

Copyright 
The copyright holder for this preprint is the author/funder, who has granted bioRxiv a license to display the preprint in perpetuity. It is made available under a CC-BY 4.0 International license.
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Posted November 05, 2020.
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New water and air pollution sensors added to the Sonic Kayak citizen science system for low cost environmental mapping
Amber GF Griffiths, Joanne K Garrett, James P Duffy, Kaffe Matthews, Federico G Visi, Claire Eatock, Mike Robinson, David J Griffiths
bioRxiv 2020.11.03.366229; doi: https://doi.org/10.1101/2020.11.03.366229
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New water and air pollution sensors added to the Sonic Kayak citizen science system for low cost environmental mapping
Amber GF Griffiths, Joanne K Garrett, James P Duffy, Kaffe Matthews, Federico G Visi, Claire Eatock, Mike Robinson, David J Griffiths
bioRxiv 2020.11.03.366229; doi: https://doi.org/10.1101/2020.11.03.366229

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