What Makes Ostara Unique?

Ostara (click for more details) is designed to provide comprehensive, real-time insights into air quality and environmental conditions. This remote monitoring station stands out for its versatility and robust data collection capabilities.

Comprehensive Air Quality Monitoring

Ostara can monitor and record a staggering amount of data from its many sensor options. It tracks a wide range of air quality indicators, including:

• Various grades of fine dust (particulate matter)
• Key gases such as carbon monoxide, hydrogen sulfide, nitrogen dioxide, and ozone

All of this data is recorded and made available online via the Inoview web platform, allowing users to access and analyse air quality information from anywhere.

Advanced Environmental Sensing

Beyond air quality, Ostara is equipped to measure essential weather parameters, including:

• Wind speed and direction
• Temperature
• Atmospheric pressure
• Relative humidity

It also calculates important environmental indexes such as wind chill, dew point, and freezing point, providing a holistic view of site conditions.

Integrated Water Quality Monitoring

For sites that require both air and water quality monitoring, Ostara offers seamless integration with the WiMo multiparameter water quality probe. This means you can capture water quality data and present it alongside air quality metrics within the Inoview platform, streamlining environmental monitoring and reporting.

Flexible and Cost-Effective Sensor Options

Ostara offers a low cost of ownership and can be customised with only the sensors you require. The replacement cost for the sensors (which have a finite life span) is low compared to alternative products, making Ostara a budget-friendly choice for long-term monitoring. In addition the use of solar power and a built in rechargeable battery helps to keep running costs low and minimise site visits.

User-Friendly Web Interface

Ostara features a built-in web interface, allowing you to connect using any device with internet access. Simply connect to the unit’s built-in WiFi network from your PC or mobile phone, where you can easily change settings or logging regimes for maximum convenience.

Who Can Benefit from Ostara?

Ostara is ideal for a wide range of applications, including:

• Environmental agencies monitoring urban or industrial air quality
• Industrial sites needing to comply with environmental regulations
• Research institutions conducting environmental studies
• Local councils and urban planners seeking to improve community health

Who is using Ostara?

Why Choose Ostara?

• Comprehensive Data: Monitor both air and water quality with a single, robust platform.
• Remote Access: View real-time and historical data online via Inoview.
• Flexible Sensor Options: Customise the station to your site’s specific needs.
• Reliable Performance: Built for durability and accuracy in demanding environments.
• Low Cost of Ownership: Affordable sensor replacement and customisation options.
• Easy Connectivity: Manage your station from any internet-connected device.

Take Control of Your Environmental Monitoring

Ready to enhance your site’s environmental monitoring capabilities? Ostara, available exclusively through DOSA in the UK, offers a powerful, flexible solution for air and water quality management.

Contact DOSA today to learn more about how Ostara can help you achieve your environmental goals.

The post Introducing Ostara: The Next Generation Air Quality Monitoring Station appeared first on DOSA.

What actually causes antimicrobial resistance is complex – involving numerous factors over large scales and timeframes – but one of the most overlooked factors is that of water quality.

Let’s look at what exactly AMR is, why it’s a problem, the role of water in its growth, and what can be done to avoid it.

What is Antimicrobial Resistance?

Antimicrobial drugs are the cornerstone of modern medicine – drugs like antibiotics, antifungals, antivirals, and antiparasitics are, in many cases, the last line of defence against each respective pathogen. Now, pathogens are alive, which means that they gradually evolve resistances to substances that harm them.

In short, antimicrobial resistance is a real-time proof of “survival of the fittest” at the microbial scale.. 

The core problem with the rise of AMR is that the misuse and overuse of antimicrobial medications in humans, animals, and agriculture has accelerated the evolution of resistance. This has led to the emergence of what many are calling “superbugs” that are largely or entirely immune to medicinal methods of treatment. This makes them extremely dangerous because, without medicinal backup, the only defence is a body’s immune system – which tends to not be particularly effective against new and aggressive pathogens.

We should note here that we’re using the term “pathogens” instead of “bacteria”, “viruses”, and so on because pathogens are specifically harmful microbes – there are actually countless microbes that we not only benefit from but that, as humans, we entirely rely on.

The role of water in the spread of AMR

Almost all pathogens will die quite quickly without access to water. Even airborne pathogens can only live for a maximum of 5-6 hours while in the air – and even then only if the air is humid enough. Some pathogens can survive for longer (sometimes up to a few days) on certain surfaces, but usually only when protected by water droplets or some water-carrying substance (like mucus). Most pathogens die within minutes outside of a host or suitable medium.

Essentially, water is to microbes what air is to humans.

That’s why water quality is so crucial here. 

How water gets contaminated

Water sources get contaminated in various ways. In order to not open up a serious can of worms, we’ll only refer to freshwater sources here rather than saltwater because saltwater contamination has a different and more complex cycle involving considerably more than AMR growth; for example, there’s credible evidence that marine life is being seriously affected by untreated pharmaceuticals from sewage released into the sea.

Freshwater sources such as rivers, lakes, underground aquifers, and reservoirs can become contaminated primarily through the release of untreated sewage, from agricultural runoff, and from industrial pollutants.

In practice, industrial pollutants aren’t such a significant factor for freshwater contamination in the UK anymore because of two main reasons. Firstly, we don’t have a great deal of manufacturing industry left and, secondly, manufacturers that remain are under greater scrutiny from regulatory bodies after the industrial excesses of the 19th and 20th centuries.

Untreated sewage and agricultural runoff, however, are really serious forms of contamination.

What happens when water is contaminated by pathogens?

The most immediate threat from contaminated water is simply that people become sick. This is, for the most part, not an issue when we’re referring to tap water because tap water is so heavily treated in the UK (through lots of filtration as well as various disinfectant methods) – but contaminated freshwater sources like rivers and lakes create ample opportunity for pathogens to infect humans.

For example, a dog might jump into a contaminated river, a person may swim in the river unknowingly (usually downstream from the contamination source, where contamination is no longer obvious), or pathogens may become “airborne” when water is kicked up by heavy winds.

Humans can then spread these pathogens in the same way any virus or bacteria is spread: through contact or shedding (such as sneezing and coughing).

But, most crucially, contaminated water creates the perfect breeding ground for more resistant microbes. When large numbers of pathogens are in regular contact 

with each other in a body of water, gene transfer can occur – where pathogens “pass on” certain resistances to each other. This can even happen between different pathogenic species, so it can quickly cause mutations that we couldn’t have imagined.

Can’t people choose not to swim in contaminated water?

Yes, people can certainly “choose” not to swim in contaminated water. But the personal choice of the human doesn’t justify the release of waste because we aren’t the only creatures to live around and depend upon water sources. These pathogens and contaminants also pose a serious threat for all life around those sources.

For example, sewage and industrial runoff affect all downstream habitats from the source of pollution. They can get into downstream marsh habitats that are also frequently used for grazing and then create a serious risk of contaminating the grazing animals themselves but also all of the wild birds and mammals that live in that habitat.

Those birds then tend to migrate – or at least move around a reasonably large area searching for food – which then poses threats to other farm animals and other wildlife. While it’s unclear how much of an effect water quality has had on it, avian flu is a perfect case to illustrate how easily spreadable pathogens can become when infecting migratory species.

There’s a moral issue to protect habitats here, but there’s also a fundamental need to protect them because we rely on their complexity for our survival.

The best ways to address contamination

There’s no single “best way” to address water contamination because it happens in such complex ways. But what needs to happen is tighter regulation, stricter consequences for failing to meet those regulations, and effective water monitoring to gather data and support regulatory efforts.

If you’re looking to invest in quality water quality monitoring equipment, browse our products or get in touch with our helpful team to discuss your needs.

The post Antimicrobial Resistance & Its Connection to Water Quality appeared first on DOSA.

The essence of understanding soil erosion lies not just in recognising its impact on the landscape but also in appreciating its profound effects on water quality. Read on to explore more.

What is soil erosion?

Soil erosion, a natural process exacerbated by human activities, threatens our land’s vitality and water bodies’ purity. Soil erosion is a natural process where the top layer of soil is removed or worn away by water, wind, ice, or human activities. This process can be accelerated by factors such as deforestation, agricultural practices, overgrazing, construction, and other land-use changes that disrupt the soil’s natural integrity, and poses significant challenges to environmental health and agricultural productivity.

How does soil erosion impact water quality?

When soil erosion occurs, it can lead to the loss of nutrient-rich topsoil, reduced agricultural yields, and increased sedimentation in water bodies – having a significant impact on water quality. When topsoil is eroded, it doesn’t just disappear; it is often carried into nearby streams, rivers, and lakes. This process can have several negative effects on water bodies.

Sedimentation

Eroded soil particles that enter water bodies can lead to sedimentation, these parts then sit at the bottom of all natural water sources; rivers, lakes, and streams. Sedimentation can impact aquatic habitats, reduce the clarity of the water, and disrupt the natural flow of water bodies, affecting both aquatic life and water quality.

Nutrient pollution

Soil often contains nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus, which are essential for plant growth. However, when these nutrients are washed into water bodies in large amounts, as a result of  erosion, they can lead to nutrient pollution. This can cause excessive growth of algae which depletes the water’s oxygen supply, harming or even killing fish and other aquatic organisms.

Pesticides and contaminants

In agricultural areas, the topsoil contains not only nutrients but also pesticides and other contaminants. Erosion can carry these toxic substances into water bodies, posing risks to aquatic life and potentially contaminating drinking water sources.

Increased turbidity

The presence of fine soil particles suspended in water increases its turbidity or cloudiness. High turbidity can block sunlight from reaching aquatic plants, disrupting photosynthesis, and can also clog the gills of fish and other aquatic animals, impairing their ability to breathe.

Factors contributing to soil erosion

As we have discovered so far in this blog, soil erosion is a complex process influenced by various factors, which can be broadly classified into natural and human-induced. Natural factors include anything that is out of human control such as rainfall and runoff, wind, soil structure and vegetation, whilst human factors include deforestation, agricultural practices, construction and mining practices, urbanisation and climate change.

Water quality testing with DOSA

Understanding soil erosion’s profound impact on water quality is a practical necessity for safeguarding our environment, and most of all, water sources that provide us with our daily water. The degradation of soil through erosion carries away not only the earth’s precious topsoil but also pollutants into our water bodies, compromising the health of aquatic ecosystems and the purity of our water resources. 

Ensuring the integrity of water quality is imperative for sustaining life, agriculture, and industry. At DOSA, we highlight the critical role of advanced water monitoring solutions, and taking meaningful steps towards cleaner, safer water.

The post Soil Erosion: What it is & How it Impacts Water Quality appeared first on DOSA.

Have you ever stopped to consider where the water in your tap comes from?  The next time you pour yourself a glass of water, why not consider the journey behind it? Tap water embarks on a journey spanning hundreds of miles before reaching us — as well as undergoing rigorous treatment to ensure its safety for consumption. 

In this blog, we delve into the intricate process that delivers clean water to our taps whenever we need it, covering where this water actually comes from and whether it is as good for us as we think.

What are the common drinking water sources?

There are a range of different water sources that are used for drinking water across the world. Each water source has its advantages and challenges, and ensuring access to safe and clean drinking water is crucial for public health and well-being. In the UK, drinking water comes from natural sources that are either groundwater or surface water – these are then sourced, treated, and sent to the taps in your homes. Let’s explore these in turn below.

Surface water

Surface water refers to any water that comes from water found on the earth’s surface — rivers, lakes, reservoirs, and streams, for example. Surface water is often collected in reservoirs and then treated before being distributed to our homes. There is, however, the chance that pollution from various sources such as agricultural runoff, industrial discharge, and urban runoff can be discharged into surface water, and be missed in the treating process.

That being said, surface water is a lot more accessible than groundwater, and is therefore relied upon a lot more. Here at DOSA, we produce surface water monitoring applications which are focused on water quality and water level measurement. So, if you are unsure about the quality of your tap water, we can help.

Groundwater

Groundwater, on the other hand, refers to water that is stored beneath the earth’s surface in underground aquifers. Typically, groundwater is extracted by constructing wells or boreholes and is generally considered to be cleaner and less susceptible to pollution than surface water. However, groundwater can still become contaminated from sources such as leaking underground storage tanks, septic systems, and agricultural chemicals. 

DOSA also offers groundwater monitoring solutions which consist of taking water quality and water level measurements to be plotted and used to monitor changes in trends over time.

Removing large contaminants from water

As we have already established, large contaminants are effectively removed through centralised treatment processes. But water quality can still vary depending on factors such as:

• The condition of the distribution system
• Plumbing within buildings
• And potential sources of contamination

Large contaminants include particles, sediment, debris, and other visible impurities that can not only affect the aesthetics of water but also pose potential health risks to consumers.

Is tap water actually good for you?

So, we’ve established where your tap water comes from and the main sources. Now it’s time to see if tap water is actually good for you. It is clear that opting for tap water is the most environmentally friendly and cost-efficient form of drinking water. What’s more, according to Discover Water, British tap water has a quality rating of 99.96%, and it is very well-regulated in the UK.

Despite the tap water in the UK being generally considered safe for public consumption, many consumers opt for point-of-use filtration systems at home to further enhance water quality and safety. Some include:

• Mechanical filters
• Absorption filters
• Sequestration filters
• Ion Exchange filters
• Reverse Osmosis filters

With the majority of contaminants being removed before the water reaches your taps, depending on your location, you may find that your mains water causes limescale deposits that can block pipes and affect appliances. However, these problems can be easily solved by one of the water filtration devices outlined above.

So, in short, yes, tap water is safe. However, it is always recommended that you take an extra step and utilise an at-home water filtration system to ensure complete safety and taste.

Get monitoring with DOSA

If you would like any further information about our surface water or groundwater water monitoring solutions, or about water quality monitoring in general, get in touch with our team. 

If you’re looking for other water quality testing equipment, check out our range of products, or learn more on our blog.

The post Where Does Drinking Water Come From? appeared first on DOSA.

Chlorophyll and phytoplankton are excellent indicators when it comes to understanding environmental conditions and aquatic health. They are highly sensitive to changes in water quality, making them great measures of overall water quality and the health of aquatic areas. 

Let’s delve into the significance of chlorophyll and phytoplankton as indicators of water quality, exploring their role in assessing the health and ecological balance of aquatic ecosystems.

What are chlorophyll and phytoplankton?

Chlorophyll is the green pigment found in plants, and it’s vital for photosynthesis. Measuring the chlorophyll concentration in water is important when it comes to estimating the abundance of phytoplankton. Also known as microalgae, phytoplankton exist in a similar way to plants that grow in the earth, with the two major similarities being that they contain chlorophyll, and that they require sunlight in order to live and grow. You will often find phytoplankton nearer the surface of the water you’re testing, due to this being where sunlight is able to penetrate.

A chlorophyll sensor works by sending a light beam into the water to be tested, at a fixed wavelength. This wavelength of light excites the chlorophyll, which subsequently fluoresces at a known wavelength band. The level of excitation measured is proportional to the chlorophyll concentration in the water; high levels of chlorophyll indicate high levels of nutrients from fertilisers, septic systems, sewage treatment plants and urban runoff.

Why use chlorophyll as an indicator?

If a high level of chlorophyll is detected, it is an indication that a high level of phytoplankton is present in the water –  which can be affected by changes to the water’s phosphate, nitrate, and nutrient levels.

Whilst natural events such as rainfall and increased sunlight in the summer months can cause these changes, environmental pollution can also have a negative effect. Using a chlorophyll test kit to monitor the levels over an extended period of time helps you to record any natural variation, and potentially enables you to spot pollution events that may adversely affect the phytoplankton population.

The main benefit of measuring chlorophyll in water is that phytoplankton react quickly to pulsed nutrient inputs that might otherwise go undetected by regular nutrient sampling.

When to use chlorophyll sensors?

A chlorophyll meter is an ideal choice for those who are interested in detecting the presence or absence of chlorophyll. Measuring relative fluorescent changes that can be used as an indication of increasing or decreasing concentrations can have great significance, depending on the goals of your testing.

Using a chlorophyll meter allows you to identify temporal and vertical patterns of phytoplankton in the water. This method is an effective measure of trophic status, a potential indicator of maximum photosynthetic rate – and an overall measure of water quality.

Limitations in monitoring

Trying to accurately determine the number of cells present using fluorometric sensors is an indirect method of counting, and therefore is not as accurate as direct cell counts that can be performed in a laboratory setting. 

Various external factors can affect the readings, for example:

• Other microbiological species and compounds that fluoresce at similar wavelengths
• Differences in the fluorescent response between various species of phytoplankton, temperature, ambient light, and turbidity.

As per these reasons, chlorophyll measurement taken directly in the field is intended for qualitative data collection over time to monitor changes in trend, not quantitative analysis.

Chlorophyll testing with DOSA 

DOSA’s chlorophyll sensor is constructed from hard anodised aluminium. It features robust sapphire lenses for the highest optical performance and scratch resistance. It is a fixed response fluorometer, meaning it excites the chlorophyll in the water at a fixed wavelength and then measures the subsequent emitted fluorescence.

Benefits of using our chlorophyll testing equipment include: 

Simple installation 

Installing the Chlorophyll sensor into an Aquaprobe is a straightforward process. First, unscrew the blanking plug from an appropriate aux socket. Then apply some of the provided silicon grease to the sensor thread and screw in the sensor. After installation, full calibration is required.

Simple calibration

The chlorophyll sensor is calibrated at 2 points. Once your solution is made,  calibration involves placing the probe into the solution and selecting the correct calibration option from the menu.

Grab sample factor

There can sometimes be a difference between measured values with the sensor and laboratory data, when taking measurements at a particular site. These differences are caused by a number of factors.

It is possible to apply a multiplier to the data obtained from our sensor in order to make it better correlate with lab data for that particular site. To do this, we use a grab sample factor. We can calculate this factor by dividing the average grab sample value (measured in the lab) by the average value measured by our chlorophyll sensor.

Get monitoring with DOSA

If you would like any further information about our chlorophyll sensor, or about water quality monitoring in general, get in touch with our team. If you’re looking for other water quality testing equipment, check out our range of products. 

The post Chlorophyll & Phytoplankton as Measures of Water Quality appeared first on DOSA.

In this blog, we will touch on the different effects dredging has on water quality from sediment disruption to habitat disturbance, while assessing what this means on a broader scale.

What is dredging?

Dredging refers to the removal and transportation of sediments and debris from the bottom of water bodies (like rivers and lakes) to more coastal areas. It is a necessity in waterways around the world because sedimentation gradually fills channels and harbours, resulting in sand and gravel mixing into the water.

The process of dredging plays a crucial role in maintaining these waterways and creating a clear path for boats and ships, as well as in various construction and environmental remediation projects. However dredging poses a huge threat to the marine environment and therefore must be carried out extremely carefully, with the help of the right dredgers and dredges. Performed incorrectly, dredging can have even more of a detrimental effect on marine quality than it already does.

With the main focus of dredging being to remove deposits that lie on the sea bed, the environmental effects of dredging are largely related to this concentrated area — but can have far-reaching consequences. 

How does dredging affect water quality?

Dredging can have both direct and indirect effects on water quality, especially within the marine environment. The impact of the process can vary depending on the type of dredging, the overall environment, and the specific conditions of the water body too. 

Here are some ways in which dredging can affect water quality: 

Sediment disruption

The process of dredging often results in the disturbance of sediments that can release contaminants into the water. This has the potential to change the chemical properties of the sediment, and in turn, reduce water quality at both extraction and dumping sites for some time after dredging has ceased. 

Release of contaminants and increased turbidity 

Dredging may disturb contaminated sediments, releasing pollutants such as heavy metals, nutrients, or organic compounds into the water. These pollutants can have a negative impact on water quality, posing risks to both aquatic marine life and human health. 

The dredging process and the suspended sediments result in increased turbidity, reducing light penetration. This therefore affects photosynthesis in aquatic plants as well as interfering with the feeding mechanisms of some aquatic organisms too, causing harm at multiple levels in the food chain.

Changes in water flow and circulation

Dredging activities can also have a negative effect on the natural flow patterns of water bodies. These changes can influence the distribution of nutrients, oxygen levels, and temperature, impacting the overall health of aquatic ecosystems. 

Habitat disturbance

One of the largest consequences of dredging is habitat destruction. Dredging can alter or destroy habitats, resulting in a reduction of biodiversity for an ecosystem, and potentially leading to changes in water quality parameters. The latest research shows how in 45 cases there was “a total loss of 21,023 hectares (or general surface area) of seagrass due to dredging. Seagrass serves as an ecosystem, a food, and a home to many high-risk marine species”. 

Nutrient release

Lastly, dredging can cause the resuspension of sediments. This may increase the levels of nutrients available to marine organisms. Although this can be seen as a positive, this can also have a negative effect, leading to algae blooms and oxygen depletion, which negatively impacts overall water quality and aquatic life. 

Water quality monitoring equipment 

Concerned about dredging in your area? Worried about the impacts on water quality? Keep a close eye on the quality of your water with our water quality monitoring equipment today.

Here at DOSA, we pride ourselves on preserving and protecting our planet. In marine environments, water quality equipment needs to be strong, durable, and accurate. Why not take a look at our website and discover our water quality monitoring equipment —particularly our Marine range? Don’t hesitate to get in touch with us if you’d like to know more. 

The post What is Dredging? & How Does it Affect Water Quality? appeared first on DOSA.

DOSA has been acquired by nke Group, marking an exciting development for all involved. This feels like a natural progression for both nke Group and DOSA that serves to strengthen our ability to innovate and provide high-quality products.

“This is an exciting time for DOSA as we join forces with nke group. This transaction opens up new opportunities for our products and our people, and we are confident that it will strengthen our position in the market. We look forward to working closely with the team at nke group,” says Craig Harrison, CEO of DOSA.

 

Who is nke Group?

nke Group is a marine instrumentation and electronics company that, for the last 40 years, has been no stranger to innovation in the field. Leaders in the design, manufacture, and sale of measurement and monitoring equipment, they sell profiling floats, tools for oceanography study, multiparameter probes, instrumented buoys, and more.

They also offer a range of instrument systems for sailboat racing and cruising, including sensors, displays, autopilot, and chart plotters. It’s safe to say nke Group knows the world of water inside out.

nke Group’s team of professionals take their environmental responsibility seriously and care deeply about issues like fighting climate change — a cause dear to our hearts, too.

As multi-award-winning designers and manufacturers of water quality monitoring equipment ourselves, this partnership opens the door to many exciting opportunities. Mr. Alain Boschet, CEO of nke Group summed it up perfectly:

“We are delighted to complete this acquisition, which will unlock significant synergies, not only by strengthening our product portfolio but also by creating new business opportunities through complementary distribution networks and merged R&D expertise.”

About the acquisition

We feel strongly that this alignment with the highly reputable nke Group is the start of something special – a new dawn for DOSA. 

A key advantage of this collaboration lies in our enhanced ability to innovate and develop global solutions in the water monitoring sector. With our combined wealth of research and development expertise, this merger empowers us to offer a broad spectrum of highly advanced instrumentation – underscoring our commitment to staying at the forefront of our industry.

The combination of nke Group’s exceptional underwater monitoring equipment and our results in a powerful, comprehensive range of precision instruments that will benefit our customers, partners, and employees alike.

We’re still DOSA: everything you’ve come to expect from us and why we do it remains intact. In fact, this union provides an opportunity to do even more of the things we are so passionate about. The exceptional standards that have come to define us will be maintained, and we look forward to a future marked by innovation, collaboration, and excellence. 

Keep your eyes peeled for exciting things to come!

The post DOSA Acquired by nke Group: A New Era in Water Technology appeared first on DOSA.

Ahead of the International Conference on Pollution and Treatment Technology in November, this is all the more present for us. In this blog, then, we wanted to touch on the effects of water pollution on marine organisms and what this means on a broader scale.

Understanding water pollution

As we’ve touched on many times before in our blog, water pollution is a pressing global issue. There’s nowhere in the world that pollution hasn’t made its mark on. And let’s be clear here – pollution isn’t, itself, a malevolent perpetrator. If we’re talking pointing fingers, it’s unfortunately high time we hold ourselves, our wider societies, and large corporations to account…

Without ineffective industrial practices, for example, we wouldn’t have chemical solvents, radioactive material, and untreated waste entering nearby rivers and lakes. Similarly, the demand for quickly-produced high volumes of food paved the way for the use of harmful pesticides.

Whether it’s industrial pollutants, agricultural chemicals, urban runoff from ever-increasing floods, or plain old littering, there are countless ways that our waters become contaminated.

We don’t necessarily anticipate there being many cynics among our readers, but let’s play devil’s advocate for a minute. Why does it matter? Apart from a few more bits ‘n’ bobs in the ocean and a slight discolouration of the Earth’s big blue soup, is water pollution so bad? (Spoiler alert — yes, it is, it really is.) If you’re already on-board with the idea that water pollution = bad, you won’t be blamed for wondering just what makes it so damaging for marine life. So let’s take a look.

Why aquatic ecosystems are so vulnerable

Life on Earth started in water. 3.5 billion years ago, single-celled microbes lived around hydrothermal vents. 6.6 million years ago, sponges were some of the first more recognisable species to populate the sea.

That means that for 6.6 million years at least, the sea has played host to aquatic ecosystems. Only for the last 300,000 of those years have modern humans been around — and in the last century, us humans have managed (one way or another) to begin undoing the millions of years of evolution the ocean has undergone to get here.

Indeed, it’s not all roses under the sea. The ocean has always been a hostile environment — big fish eats innocent seal eats little fish eats littler fish, and so on. But it’s a mechanism that works without interference. An ecosystem is, by definition, a complex community of organisms that interact and depend on each other to survive (or not). 

The issue arises when you introduce a third party that changes the wild course of nature. One such third party is pollution.

To put it crudely, this delicate web of algae, jellyfish, sea cucumbers, fish, whales, seals, sting rays, and more are not evolved to deal with the contaminants we’ve so quickly developed. You introduce that third party and things quite quickly get thrown off balance — no longer can marine life do its thing. And that spells trouble, not just for the ecosystems there, but for us, too (more on that later).

The impacts of water pollution on aquatic ecosystems

That’s the top-level view of it, but what are the specifics? What does water pollution actually do to marine life? We’ll take a look at some of the direct and indirect effects here.

Physical harm to fish

Contaminants like heavy metals, oil spills, and pesticides can directly harm fish and other aquatic organisms. Fish can ingest these toxic substances, which can cause deformities like gill damage, fin and tail rot, reproductive problems, and even death. 

One such example of this in action is the 2021 oil spill off of Los Angeles. 126,000 gallons of crude oil spilled from a pipeline connected to an offshore rig, leading to the closure of 15 miles of beach and the death of an uncounted number of fish and birds.

Oxygen depletion

A more insidious impact of water pollution is the reduction in oxygen levels it can cause, one way or another. Certain pollutants – like nitrogen and phosphorus, often found in agricultural runoff – can promote excessive algae growth. 

When the algae dies and decomposes, it poses even more of a threat in that they consume huge amounts of oxygen. In this way, they create ‘dead zones’ where fish and other life can suffocate due to the lack of oxygen.

The destruction of habitats

Not only can pollution cause direct harm to marine life, it can also damage their environments and indirectly impact them in turn.

As we touched on above, certain contaminants can promote the growth of fungus, bacteria, and algae. These can overtake and impede on the growth of more naturally-occurring plants that marine life depends on to survive. 

Similarly, the existence of huge algae or moss mats alone is a problem in itself, as it stops sunlight and certain life-giving nutrients from reaching further down to plants and fish. 

Picture Nemo living amongst the coral reef and anemones. Should these habitats have been destroyed, Nemo wouldn’t have a place to live and – importantly – hide when faced with trouble. Bigger fish would have a field day! The delicate balance is thus disrupted, causing imbalances in the populations of certain species and reducing the overall resilience of the ecosystem.

The plastic problem

Plastic is perhaps the pollutant you hear about the most — and rightly so.

It’s made from raw materials like natural gas, plants, and oil. But that’s not all; harmful chemical additives that enhance durability and flexibility are present in almost every type of consumer plastic we have.

When out at sea, other contaminants are actually attracted to this plastic waste — meaning that when animals eat them, they get a dose of contaminants. Plastic often looks and smells like food to marine life. It also attracts things like algae and biological life that makes it look even more attractive to unsuspecting creatures! Needless to say, ingested plastic is bad news for marine animals.

With the breakdown of plastics into micro and nano particles, plastics have proliferated through the food web.

          How many fish die because of water pollution?

To illustrate the point further, it’s worth mentioning that this isn’t a small-scale problem. In fact, at least 100,000 marine animals die each year because of plastic pollution, the World Wildlife Fund finds.

A knock-on effect in the food chain

Of course, it’s not just fish that are impacted by water pollution. In turn, the birds, bears, big cats, and wolves that rely on fish either find that their food sources are dwindling or, when they do have a successful hunt, that they’re contaminated with chemicals and plastics.

While it might sound dramatic, no one animal is affected by pollution alone — instead, the damage ricochets up the food chain. Inevitably, it reaches us, too. Our consumption of contaminated fish is one reason why microplastics have been found in our bloodstreams, for example.

Mitigation & solutions

Crucially, it’s not all doom and gloom when it comes to water pollution. Yes, we’re seeing declines in certain species and much dirtier waters across the globe. BUT we’re also seeing enormous efforts to counteract the damage done.

For example, the Ocean Cleanup project is leading the largest ocean cleanup in the world, embracing modern technology to remove plastics from our waters. Schools around the world are teaching children about water pollution to raise a climate- and eco-aware generation. Scientists are trialling a new oil spill response technology that acts like a sponge to separate oil from water. Suffice to say, there’s plenty of good being done! With the International Conference on Pollution and Treatment Technology coming up in November (2023), we don’t doubt we’ll be hearing about many more green innovations on this front.

On an individual level, there are a few things we can do about water pollution to avoid damaging marine ecosystems:

• Follow recycling practices in your area
• Don’t litter – take rubbish home with you
• If you see pollution, report it
• Use eco-friendly products
• Put pressure on governments and organisations to regulate pollution

Last but not least, one crucial key to healthier waters lies in water quality monitoring. That’s where we come in! Here at DOSA, we care deeply about doing our bit to help preserve and protect our planet’s precious resources and environments. For us, that looks like manufacturing high quality water testing equipment. In marine environments, water quality equipment needs to be strong, durable, and accurate. Customers around the world trust our Aquaprobe to deliver on all fronts — discover our Marine range here and get in touch with us if you’d like to know more.

The post The Impact of Water Pollution on Aquatic Life appeared first on DOSA.

Either way, we know that being faced with a potential pollution incident can be quite daunting. We love our UK waterways — from the babbling streams that run through woodlands to the precious rivers at the heart of our towns. Seeing these green havens affected by potential polluting events is distressing to say the least.

Fortunately, there are avenues for reporting water pollution which we’ll get into later in this blog. First, let’s look at the signs so you know what to look out for.

How to spot water pollution

Water pollution takes many forms. Luckily, many of them are quite obvious — some, though, take a keener eye! 

As for the more obvious signs, if you notice toilet paper, wipes, tissues, sanitary products, or even faecal matter, it’ll be clear that a sewage incident has occurred. However, it’s not always that straightforward; in the sea, for example, sewage overflows can cause swimmers to become ill without anything having looked out of the ordinary. Water companies are required to report these leakages, though (and for the most part, they do…) — you can check your local bathing water on the Surfers Against Sewage app.

Another clear sign of pollution is the presence of dead or dying fish. In this case, the water might be polluted with chemicals, and you should absolutely avoid contact with it.

Some other signs include:

• A cloudy or milky appearance to the water 
• Lots of slimy fungus or algae
• Foam in predominantly still waters
• A foul smell – like chlorine, rotten eggs, chemical, or sewage smells

Common causes

If you think you’ve spotted water pollution and want to know the causes behind it, great! Knowing the possibilities might help you determine that what you’ve seen is, indeed, a pollution event.

Some of the most common causes of water pollution and questions to ask yourself are, then:

• Agricultural runoff (e.g. fertilisers, pesticides, manure)
  • Signs: excessive algae, dead fish, foul smells
    • Is there a farm nearby?

• Industrial waste (e.g. metals, chemicals, oils, fuel)
  • Signs: oily film, foaming, changes in water colour, chemical smells
    • Where’s the nearest factory or plant?
    • Is there a construction site nearby?

• Effluent release (e.g. toilet roll, sanitary products, urine, faecal matter)
  • Signs: sewage!
    • Where’s the nearest wastewater treatment plant? Is there a storm overflow near?

• Urban runoff (fuel spillages, street debris, rubbish)
  • Signs: oily film, changes in water colour, debris in the water
    • Are there busy roads nearby? Perhaps there are roadworks happening?

• Any of the above, caused by flood water carrying chemicals or materials into waterways
  • • Has there been significant rainfall recently?

What to do when you spot water pollution

If you do spot polluted waters, ensure that you avoid contact with them and, if you can, let anyone around you know. 

The best next step is to call the Environment Agency hotline (0800 80 70 60) to report it. Make sure that you have to hand:

• The name of the waterway
• The location you believe to be polluted (use What Three Words!)
• The potential source of the pollution, if it is obvious
• Any details about what you can see (and/or smell)
• Your contact number, in case they need to call you back.

Unfortunately, because the Environment Agency seems to receive less funding year on year, they are often unable to respond to every incident — particularly ones that aren’t serious. If you believe the pollution to be sewage-related, it is worth doing a Google search for ‘report water pollution [your town]’; there may well be a local service that can manage it. For example, many regional water companies take direct pollution reports in case their network is at fault.

If the polluted waterway belongs to the Canal River Trust (see if they manage any near you), you can get in direct contact with them. They deal with all minor incidents in their canals and rivers. If it’s a major event (e.g. causing wildlife distress or death), you will need to defer to the Environment Agency as above.

In Wales, call 0300 065 3000.

Report water pollution to Surfers Against Sewage

If you have spotted sewage or plastic pollution in the sea or on the beach, it’s worth checking whether it has already been reported by the local wastewater management company. In the case that it hasn’t, there is a high chance that the general public is unaware.

It’s well worth downloading the Surfers Against Sewage app and reporting an incident. You can do this with the following steps:

• Take a picture of the pollution
• Go to the ‘Locations’ tab
• Find the beach on the map and click on the drop icon (which may have a ‘tick’ on it)
• Scroll down to ‘Evidence of Pollution?’ and click ‘Report Now’
• Fill in the date and answer the questions about what the image shows
• Upload the image
• Submit your report.

Alternatively, you can send an email with the details to saferseasservice@sas.org.uk. Surfers Against Sewage also recommend emailing your local MP — you can do this via the app if there is a live pollution incident, by clicking on the location and scrolling down to ‘Contact your local MP’. It’ll give you a templated email that you can simply fire off.

Water pollution monitoring

Do you need to monitor a body of water for pollution? We know how much of a difference accurate monitoring can make — to the health of an environment and of aquatic organisms alike. 

If you need reliable, high-quality testing equipment – whether for educational or environmental reporting purposes – we’ve got you covered. Discover DOSA and our range of water quality monitoring products!

The post Water Pollution: The Signs & How to Report it appeared first on DOSA.

We’ve talked before about the significance of clean marine water, but what about ocean temperatures? Like every other natural habitat, a fine balance is needed to maintain a healthy ecosystem. And when the planet’s water is relied upon for so much, the effects are deeply felt when that balance is knocked out of whack.

Here, we wanted to tackle a key part of that balance in the form of sea water temperature. Are sea temperatures going up? What’s global warming got to do with it? And, crucially, what impact does this have on the planet and on us?

Read on to find out more or, if you prefer, use the index below to navigate through this guide:

• Are sea temperatures rising?
• How is global warming affecting water temperature?
  • Climate change as a natural phenomenon
  • The El Niño Southern Oscillation
  • What’s ENSO got to do with climate change?
• The impacts of sea surface temperature
  • Aquatic ecosystems
    • Cyanobacteria
    • Coral reefs
    • Ice melting
  • Weather patterns
  • Land temperatures & sea levels
• The significance of marine temperature monitoring

Are sea temperatures rising? 

The average daily surface sea temperature has been on the rise since records began around 1985. See the thick black line on this graph by NOAA for a view of 2023’s temperatures.

https://climatereanalyzer.org/clim/sst_daily/

Birkel, S.D. ‘About Climate Reanalyzer’, Climate Reanalyzer (https://ClimateReanalyzer.org), Climate Change Institute, University of Maine, USA. Accessed on 18/06/2023.

As Professor Matthew England, a climate scientist at the University of New South Wales said in an article from the Guardian, “The current trajectory looks like it’s headed off the charts, smashing previous records.” 

While an average temperature increase per decade of around 1 degree Farenheit might not seem like much, it becomes clearer how dramatic this is when you consider the ocean’s vastness. About 71 percent of the Earth’s surface is covered in water. That’s roughly 332,500,000 cubic miles of water. 

Now think about how long it takes to boil your kettle. A few long, dragging minutes, all to boil enough for a few cups of tea. That is, it takes so much energy to boil a litre of water that it takes minutes to do so.

Considering the enormity of the ocean, an average temperature increase of 1 degree per decade means the ocean has to be absorbing so much more energy than it usually would – and this is quite frightening. But why? And why is it happening in the first place?

How is global warming affecting water temperature?

The biggest contributors to ocean warming are our general acceleration of climate change and greenhouse gas emissions.

The beginning of the Industrial Revolution a few hundred years ago marked the start of our excessive use of fossil fuels. Along with industrialisation came deforestation and the annihilation of many natural carbon-capturing environments. 

All of this amounts to a huge increase in greenhouse gas (carbon dioxide, methane, etc) emissions and heat being pumped into the Earth’s atmosphere. In 2019, for example, CO2 levels in the atmosphere were higher than at any time in at least 2 million years. 

Greenhouse gases form something of a blanket around the planet, trapping extra heat nearer the Earth’s surface, causing temperatures to rise. This is known as the greenhouse effect.

Of course, not all of the heat we have ever produced stays within the atmosphere, but it does have a huge impact – and that heat has to go somewhere. In fact, much of this heat is absorbed into the planet’s oceans.

Though the ocean is a natural carbon sink, it can’t keep up with humanity’s rising emissions. As a result, it will continue to heat up exponentially unless something changes – and soon.

Climate change as a natural phenomenon

Climate change in and of itself is, indeed, a ‘natural phenomenon’ – but we want to make some definitions very clear here. In its natural form, climate change describes long-term shifts in temperatures and weather patterns. The Ice Age, which came on incredibly slowly, can be described as a period of climate change.

Research shows that for the last 2.6 million years, the earth has been alternating between long ice ages and shorter interglacial periods. These generally happen around every 100,000 years – so typically, that’s 90,000 years of ice age and then a 10,000-year interglacial (warmer) period. 

We’re currently in an interglacial period known as the Holocene and, for the last 2,000 years, the earth’s climate has been relatively mild and stable. Or at least it was, until humanity began speeding up climate change. 

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has stated that, “Since systematic scientific assessments began in the 1970s, the influence of human activity on the warming of the climate system has evolved from theory to established fact.”

The El Niño Southern Oscillation

We can’t talk about rising sea water temperatures without mentioning the El Niño Southern Oscillation – also known as ENSO – which occurs in the Pacific Ocean.

This vast expanse of water experiences consistent east-to-west trade winds, which drive warm surface waters towards the western side of the ocean (around Asia and Australasia). Meanwhile, colder waters ‘upwell’ along the coasts of South and Central America.

Warmer waters in the west release additional heat into the air, causing it to rise more vigorously, resulting in unsettled weather – with increased cloud cover and rainfall. Cooler, drier air descends on the eastern side. It is this circulation which reinforces the easterly winds. In this way, the region maintains a self-perpetuating equilibrium until the arrival of El Niño.

Tropical Pacific weather systems can trigger a sequence of events that weaken or reverse the prevailing wind direction. This leads to a reduction in the amount of warm water being pushed towards the western side and, therefore,  less upwelling of cold water on the eastern side. Typically colder ocean regions become warmer and the area of unsettled weather shifts.

These changes in large-scale wind patterns have far-reaching effects on global temperatures and rainfall, particularly in the tropical regions, with increased occurrences of floods and droughts in areas like Indonesia.

Subsequently, the region’s climate undergoes a reverse phase called La Niña, known as the cold phase of the ENSO. 

What’s ENSO got to do with climate change?

It’s the phenomenon that eats itself: El Niño contributes to the rise in global temperatures, which, in turn, perpetuates the warming of the ocean.

Climate models suggest that future El Niño events may become more frequent and intense due to the impact of rising global temperatures, potentially exacerbating the overall warming trend.

The latest La Niña (cold) phase, which occurred between 2020 and early 2023, saw surprisingly warm sea temperatures. As the phase concludes, it becomes increasingly evident that the rising sea temperatures we are witnessing serve as a significant indicator of global warming. 

Prior to 2023, the hottest global sea temperatures were recorded during El Niño (the hot phase) between 2014 and 2016. However, a recent milestone was reached on April 5, 2023 – outside of El Niño – as the average daily sea temperature soared to 21.1 degrees Celsius, breaking previous records. 

The impacts of sea surface temperature

So we know the causes of sea temperature warming. But what does it matter? A few degrees here and there would make for more comfortable swimming, right?

Unfortunately, like many phenomena caused by global warming, there’s more nuance to it than that. These degrees of warming can have devastating impacts on marine life, weather patterns, and land temperatures – all of which affect us humans, so let’s take a closer look.

Aquatic ecosystems

Animal species tend to be well-evolved for their particular environment. When that environment changes – even subtly – they often cannot adapt quickly enough. This is what’s happening underwater as temperatures change.

To put it simply, as water temperatures increase, the amount of oxygen it can contain decreases. Ultimately, this means that less oxygen is available for fish.

Because of their reduced aerobic capacity in these conditions, some fish species have been known to relocate to waters with cooler temperatures, leaving their ‘home turfs’. As you might imagine, this can be bad news for the original ecosystems, which are often predicated on a delicate balance of predators and prey.

Professor Shaun Killen, senior author of a University of Glasgow study on the topic said, “If the prey of these species don’t also move, or if these species become an invasive disturbance in their new location, there could be serious consequences down the road.”

To be clear, those serious consequences could ultimately include the extinction of certain species and, in turn, the loss of carbon-capturing plant-life. Evidently, rising sea temperatures have an impact on aquaculture as an industry and source of food in the global food web.

It’s also important to note that hotter oceans contain more carbon dioxide — increasing levels of which lead to something called ‘ocean acidification’. This acidification threatens corals, snails, clams, mussels, and other marine life (typically, by dissolving their shells).

Cyanobacteria

While many fish don’t cope under rising temperatures, something else does: cyanobacteria. This microscopic filamentous bacteria uses nitrogen and phosphate to develop ‘blooms’ of organic matter in the form of blue-green algae. And what does blue-green algae do? Its large surface ‘mats’ limit the light levels that can enter the water, eventually starving an area of oxygen. All in all, BGA is bad news.

Coral reefs

You’ll likely have heard of the coral reef crisis. You’ll have seen the side-by-side pictures of now-white coral reefs next to ones teeming with life in times gone by.

Not all coral reefs are dead – but many are dying, and ocean warming is playing a huge role in their destruction. In fact, only one degree celsius of warming can have a significant effect, causing them to “bleach”.

To add insult to injury, scientists estimate that if the temperature increase continues on its current trajectory, oceans will be too warm for coral reefs by 2050.

Ice melting

As sea water heats up, polar ice caps melt. This results in freshwater being added to the surrounding waters, reducing the saltiness of the sea — which impacts saltwater species that rely on sustained salt levels.

Weather patterns

There is evidence to show that rising sea temperatures have an impact on weather patterns around the globe.

For one, this general trend has been shown to result in an increase in the speed and intensity of storms. A study by Bhatia et al states: “Specifically, areas with the largest increase in sea surface temperatures (SSTs) and potential intensities appear to be collocated with the largest positive changes in intensification rates.”

The ocean, in its enormity, powers weather patterns by driving evaporation and precipitation cycles. As temperatures on the water’s surface increase, so too does the rate of evaporation, adding additional moisture to the atmosphere. As we learned in school, evaporation leads to precipitation i.e. rain! And lots of it.

Wetter areas will experience yet more precipitation, and already-dry regions become drier. As a result, these areas are set to experience more prolonged droughts and are at higher risk of wildfires.

Not only this, but the saltiness and temperature of the ocean drive ocean currents, which are then disrupted by melting ice and rising temperatures. This leads to yet more intense weather, like hurricanes, flooding (more on this in a moment), and tropical storms.

Land temperatures & sea levels

It’s strange to think about, but when water heats up, it expands. You might’ve heard that the cause of cracks in roads in winter is not the ice that settles there, but the thawing process that causes the ice to expand and put pressure on the tarmac. This process is known as thermal expansion.

Effectively the same thing is happening on the oceanic scale. In fact, about 40% of global sea level rise over the past few decades has been put down to thermal expansion – not simply melting polar ice caps.

As perhaps one of the most severe impacts of climate change, sea level rise (SLR) threatens to swallow up small-island nations and erode coastal regions. It’s already doing so, destroying not only communities but habitats for fish, birds, and plants. Not only does SLR strip areas away over time, but contributes to more powerful storm surges, floods, and hurricanes that do so overnight.

Furthermore, as sea water rises, salt contaminates agricultural soil and underground aquifers that we rely on for drinking water. 

The significance of marine temperature monitoring

What does all of this add up to? A frankly unsustainable trajectory. To see the damage climate change is causing, we need only look to the sea.

As Dr Kevin Trenberth, a co-author and scholar at the US National Center for Atmospheric Research, puts it, “The best indicator of the planet’s warming is the global ocean heat content.” 

It follows, then, that sea temperature monitoring is an absolutely necessary part of the solution. Excellent projects are being undertaken around the world to get a well-rounded picture of this, and we hope a sustained effort here continues.

What we do with this data – the actions we translate it into – will directly affect the future of life on earth. Not just at a vague point in the future, out of sight of our lifetimes, but now – in our lifetimes and those of our children.

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For accurate, simplistic, robust water quality monitoring, you can rely on DOSA. Our temperature sensor comes as standard on many of our probes – see what’s available here.

Don’t forget to keep up with the DOSA blog for more insights on all things water. If you liked this blog, you might be interested in ‘7 Ways We Can Stop Sea Pollution Together’!

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