Severe Weather Calls for New Flood Warning System

Inundation from flood waters is an annual occurrence for many living in Far North Queensland. For a remote community located an hour west of the Atherton tablelands, a rain event during a monsoon will often make it impossible for half the town’s population to get to the local pub for over a week, a severe event could have a much larger impact as the local water supply is sourced at a dam located upstream from the creek that runs through the middle of town. Significant rainfall could cause a quiet creek to become a raging torrent in just a short time.

Until recently, the community has only had the sound of running water and predicted water heights to make critical evacuation decisions. Implementation of a siren network and current conditions, display controlled by local disaster response teams makes use of incoming real time data from the dam spillway upstream. Warning SMS messages are transmitted to disaster management coordinators in extreme weather events.

The reality of severe weather events such as floods in south east Queensland in 2011 and category 5 Cyclone Yasi in North Queensland just a month later has prompted the installation of a flood warning system to protect the population from sudden inundation during a severe weather event. Real time data is measured at the dam spillway and provided to the evacuation planning centre to assist evacuation action plan procedures. A siren network throughout the town can be activated at a moment’s notice and SMS warning messages are sent to regional disaster management coordinators.

Measurements are taken at the Dam spillway by existing Campbell Scientific equipment. A CR1000 data logger takes water condition and depth readings from bubblers in the catchment and downstream from the dam over a V-notch flume. An RF450 spread spectrum radio network relays real time data through repeaters to external databases using a cell phone modem in a strong signal area, data also transmits to a CR800 data logger at the emergency planning centre. This CR800 is capable of controlling the siren network throughout town by analysing data and is connected to a PC running Campbell Scientific LoggerNet software with an RTMC user interface capable of displaying water levels and controlling siren functions.

The system will react to a severe weather event when flood waters exceed a critical predetermined upstream water level, this is communicated to the evacuation centre data logger. The system is capable of initiating the evacuation sirens automatically or manually by the evacuation coordinators using the RTMC interface in the evacuation centre. The availability of real time flood condition data provides a critical tool for evacuation coordinators and the siren network gives a reliable method of initiating evacuation procedures.

Coastal Water Quality Monitoring Network - Yantia-China

Yantia, China, is the pilot location for an innovative Coastal Water Quality monitoring network being jointly developed by Greenspan, Haicheng, the Chinese Academy of Science and the National Marine Agency.

Located on the Bohol Sea, the Yellow River basin is home to almost 350 million people. This large population, heavy industry and being one of the busiest seaports in the world all combine to potentially stress the natural environment.  Coupled with extensive mariculture and oil & gas reserves being explored in the sea, the potential for water quality problems are high.

Recognising the risks, proactive steps are being taken to monitor the water quality and detect any issues before the problems spread undetected.  Greenspan has delivered a water quality monitoring station that integrates a variety of water quality instruments into a real-time online system.

The station includes in-situ monitoring for:

Physical Parameters (YSI Sonde): 

• Temperature, Salinity, pH, Dissolved Oxygen, Turbidity

Nutrients (EnviroTech Instruments AutoLAB): 

• Nitrate, Ammonia, Phosphate using a wet chemistry analyser as Ion Selective Electrodes are ineffective in the marine environment

Biological Activity (YSI Sonde):

• Chlorophyll, Blue Green Algae

Pollutants (Turner Designs):

• Oil (Crude and Refined)

Traditionally, instruments performing these measurements require frequent maintenance, however the system uses an innovative multi-depth flow through sampling system that keeps the instruments protected on shore, dry in between measurements and in light proof chambers.  This solves the problems of bio-fouling, maintaining instruments without divers and obtaining measurements at multiple depths through the profile while minimizing hardware costs.  With the same instrument being used to measure water quality conditions at various depths, instrument variability has been eliminated, providing meaningful depth inter-comparison beyond the accuracy of most instruments.

Above: Crude oil reaction to rainfall event

In terms of the measurement system, the Campbell Scientific CR1000 provides all the measurement and control for full remote operation, including various modes such as:

• Low Temperature Shutdown.  The site can experience freezing conditions in the coastal waters so to protect the instruments the system is configured with a low temperature shutdown which stops water sampling, to be resumed only when the conditions warm up sufficiently

•  Manual mode.  All instruments can be run at higher sampling frequencies or in continuous recording to sample the water conditions during suspicious events
  
• Onboard instrument calibration.  The Nutrient analyser is equipped with reagents and standards for automatic calibration.  As both the instrument performance and the quality of the reagents/standards may change over time, automatic routines are used to run the standards through the system and use these to automatically correct the measured data for decay and drift.  The data logger is programmed with the routines for determining calibration coefficients for each parameter, in real time.

Above: Greenspan and Chinese Academy of Science staff checking the system performance

The CR1000 also manages the provision of data to various sources in real time – with a base station running Greenspan’s EnviroSCADA (with native Chinese support) and ENVAULT (www.envault.com.au) both receiving data in real time.  Aquatic Informatics Aquarius is also used to process the data for gaps, drift and other corrections before reporting to national agencies.

Above:Site inside hut with floating arm visible-Yantai Harbour

From the initial performance of the system, the benefits of the flow through system have been clearly demonstrated.  As shown by the photos below, there has been significant growth in the high nutrient and high light warmer waters near the surface, while the instrument inside the flow through system has no visible growth or degradation of the instrument condition.

Above: The intake arm with growth after 6 weeks

Above: The YSI before cleaning after the same period of time

The inter-comparison data between two nearby depths (in this case for blue green algae) also demonstrates the ability to detect small but discernible differences in the measurements beyond the accuracy of the instrument, even when the absolute value of the measurement is very small.


 For more information on the project, visit Greenspan’s Gallery & Videos at http://www.greenspan.com.au.

The Effect Of Lipids On Methane Emission

 Centre of Advanced Animal Science (CAAS), University of Queensland, Gatton Campus 

Methane chambers were constructed in climate control rooms within CAAS. There are two chambers within each of the two climate control rooms. Within each chamber are two steers housed in individual pens.  Methane emissions for each chamber are calculated using methane concentrations and airflow measurement within the supply and exhaust air ducts. Each duct is fitted with Debimo air flow measuring blades (Kimo®) and pressure transmitters CP200 (Kimo®). The datalogger acquires the airflow measurements from each of the six ducts every 15 minutes.  

Above: Each Chamber houses 2 steers

Data Logger - CR1000

Sensors & Peripherals - Debimo air flow measuring blades (Kimo®) are fitted in each of the six ducts (two supply and 4 exhaust).  Pressure transmitters CP200 (Kimo®) at each duct read in L/sec.  In terms of programming the supply ducts are 10V out = 2000L  while the exhaust ducts are 10V = 1000L.  Methane concentration within each duct is measured using an infra red technique (Columbus Instruments, Ohio, USA).  All equipment is in the plant room above the climate control rooms.

Above: Methane analyser and CR100

What parameters are being measured?

The parameters of interest are methane concentration and airflow within each duct.

Communications & Networking -  Data is retrieved on a laptop.  Programming was performed by Daniel Roebuck, Campbell Scientific

Project Description - This project focuses on the measurement of methane in Bos indicus cattle fed tropical pastures and supplemented with various lipids.  Methane is a digestive by-product from cattle and is a major greenhouse gas. Lipids can reduce methane emissions and are also a source of energy. Beef production systems in northern Australia use Bos indicus cattle grazed on subtropical pastures. These pastures generate high methane emissions and are seasonally of poor quality. The purpose of this project is to investigate the impact of lipids on the suppression of methane emissions and improvements in growth rate of cattle fed a diet of subtropical pasture. The lipids include algal meal, sunflower oil and whole cottonseed.   No research has been published with regard to methane emissions in cattle fed subtropical pastures supplemented with lipids. 

The 32 steers are supplemented for at least 50 days, food intake recorded daily and liveweight measured weekly.   Steers enter the chambers for four days (one day equilibration and three day emission measurement).

Above: Plant room ducts (above chambers)

This is a joint project with University of Queensland and DEEDI.  It is funded by MLA (meat and livestock association).  This project is headed by Assoc. Professor Athol Klieve. Karen Harper manages and runs this steer trial.

Case study courtesy of  Karen Harper University of Queensland.

New Campbell Water Quality Samplers

We are pleased to announce that Campbell Scientific has acquired the Sirco line of water samplers from Southwell Corporation in Canada. Sirco samplers have a 30-year history of successful operation in storm-water, wastewater, and other water-quality applications. As stand-alone water samplers, these products already meet a variety of sampling needs. As we integrate them with our existing data-acquisition, telemetry, and sensor products, we will provide even more solutions for monitoring and control applications


Our search for a high-quality water sampler began a couple of years ago and it didn’t take long to find Sirco samplers. After distributing them for a while, we decided to make them a permanent addition to our product line as Campbell Scientific water samplers. The acquisition was finalized earlier this year, and we have successfully transferred the entire manufacturing operation to our headquarters in Logan, Utah.  We have been manufacturing samplers since late summer.

The future is bright for these samplers. They are already capable of being programmed on their keypad for time-based, pulse-induced, 4 to 20 mA-input, and flow-based samples. We plan to extend their usefulness even more by integrating them with rain gauges, turbidity probes, pressure transducers, and telemetry devices—on top of the power, logic, and communications protocols (e.g., Modbus, DNP3, TCP/IP) provided by our data loggers.

One of the biggest advantages of these samplers is that they use external vacuum pumps to draw water through intake tubing, instead of the traditional peristaltic pumps that induce flow by squeezing flexible tubing. Advantages of the vacuum-pump method include faster sampling rates, better vertical lifts, longer sampling distances, more-precise volume control between samples, and less maintenance. Because the vacuum method disturbs water samples less, they better represent the original water solution, especially if the solution has high concentrations of suspended solids. To prevent cross contamination, the samplers use air pressure (up to 28 psi) to purge the tubing of excess water.

 
The new product line includes many different options for both portable and stationary samplers. The PVS4150, PVS4120, and PVS4100 are portable, battery-operated water samplers. Designed for easy transport, the PVS4150 includes wheels, a telescoping handle, and a rugged case. The PVS4120 is the lightest sampler, weighing only 27 lb. The PVS4100 has a bigger pump that supports the fastest sampling rates, highest vertical lifts, and longest sampling distances. It also can use wider tubing (5/8-in. ID), which is better for handling large solids. All the portable models include space for ice to keep samples cool.

The CVS4200 and BVS4300 are stationary, ac-powered water samplers for wastewater applications. They use the same big pump as the PVS4100 and support all of its capabilities. The CVS4200 is an indoor sampler that has a corrosion-resistant steel enclosure. The BVS4300 is an outdoor sampler designed to handle extreme environments. It has a corrosion-resistant steel enclosure with a locking door and bolted-down instrument panel. All of the stationary samplers have a refrigerator option to keep the samples at the EPA-recommended temperature of 4ºC.  They can also be equipped with insulation, circulating fans, and heaters as needed.

Both composite and discrete options are available in both portable and stationary models. Composite samplers take samples, then deliver them into the same container each time. Discrete samplers collect samples and deliver them to different containers, from 500 ml to 1000 ml.
We are excited about the possibilities these samplers bring to water-quality applications.  Don’t hesitate to provide us with your input as we carry this great product line into the future.

For more information please contact Dr David Hammond on 07 4772 0444 or send him an email.

Runoff Monitoring On Sugar Cane Farms

In December 2009, the Herbert Demonstration farm site was established in the Trebonne area on Orazio and Anthony Marino’s farm.  The project is supported by DEEDI, Terrain NRM, BSES and JCU staff.  Combining environmental sustainability and profitable farming as the key drivers, this is a collaborative effort between growers, government, research and industry bodies and is part of the Queensland and Australian Government’s Reef Plan to improve water quality entering the Great Barrier Reef lagoon. There are Demonstration farm sites also located in the Burdekin and Tully areas.

The Herbert Demonstration farm site has been divided into 2 sections- one section planted on a 1.6m conventional farming system and one section planted on a 1.83m controlled traffic  mound planted farming system. To date there has been 6 additional cultivations in the conventional farming system block compared to the controlled traffic mound planted block, which has attributed to a higher cost of establishment in the conventional block.  All nutrient applications to date have been identical and are based on the BSES 6 Easy Steps guidelines and in accordance with government regulations.

In the fallow period  a legume was grown on both blocks, the  legume mulched. The  controlled traffic mound planted block  was zonal tilled and the conventional block was conventionally and prepared. It is important to understand the fate of legume nitrogen under different farming practices; consequently the movement of nitrogen in the soil profile from the legume crop is being investigated for both treatments over a 12 month period.

The block has been soil mapped using electro-magnetic soils mapping equipment and ground truthed. This equipment identified 5 distinctive soil types within the block and found areas of sodic soil not previously known. Within the 5 soil types, soil sampling to depths of 1m have occurred. It was found that 2 of the 5 soil types had low levels of phosphorus (P) present; below the government guidelines for P application. To date no P applications have occurred within the block because a routine soil test taken across the block indicated that no P fertiliser applications were required.

Water sampling for nitrogen, phosphorus and pesticides have occurred on the site since September, 2010. Water runoff from a number of rows in each treatment are diverted through a calibrated flume: as highlighted in the photo opposite.  Sensors and monitoring equipment collect a water sample automatically every time a certain volume of runoff passes  from the field and through the flume. The collected water samples are then sent to labs at James Cook University and Brisbane for analysis.

The cost effectiveness of the various “new” farming system practices will be assessed on the controlled traffic mound planted block and compared to the conventional block. Adopting a new farming system can bring significant capital expense. Through rigours monitoring, the Herbert demonstration farm project will assist industry gain a better understanding of the environmental, economic and social benefits of implementing new farming practices. 

The site will be continued to be monitored over the next 2 years. Trial results will be made available to industry as they become available.

For more information please contact:  Mark Whitten, DEEDI Project Officer

Tough Turf Times Require Innovative Technology to Survive

In the past few years, Melbourne councils have been required to reduce water allocations to less than 25% of previous water restrictions or to limit irrigating to one in four turf sporting grounds under strict Stage 3a restrictions. After substantial rainfall in the catchment areas, many restrictions have been eased to Stage 2 but monitoring and reporting of irrigation data for sustainable management is now considered best practise regardless. Water scarcity and waste minimisation are issues that are here to stay and councils must be seen to be decreasing water consumption in their facilities. Ground managers and curators need to adopt new initiatives to minimise irrigation waste and optimise precious resources.

The Victorian Government has recently provided $2 million worth of funding under the Sustainable Sporting Grounds Program to help sports clubs deal with the impact of increasingly stringent restrictions and future proof facilities against drought conditions.

The Minister for Sports and Recreation Hugh Delahunty says  "This program provides the cash boost needed for sports clubs to develop long term, sustainable, low water use community sporting facilities that are better equipped to deal with future climate challenges.”

Traditionally, councils have simply maintained sporting grounds to the basic standards required by sporting codes. When new restrictions were implemented, one in four playing fields were left to survive on rainfall unless the club or local council could justify having additional water provisions.

Many fields deteriorated under severe restrictions and became unplayable while demand continued to rise for these facilities. Restrictions also led to less competitive or socially disadvantaged users having less access to suitable playing fields. Increased population growth and demand for playing spaces in general have placed additional pressure on those turf based facilities that meet the criteria to benefit from an increase water allocation.

Introduced in April 2007 in metropolitan Melbourne, the policy aimed to achieve an 80% reduction in water use on sports grounds. To qualify for further water allocations, facilities need to develop a ‘Water Conservation Plan’, install water meters, centralise watering systems, audit irrigation systems and publish irrigation schedules. There was a fear that these seemingly harsh restrictions would ultimately lead to increased player injury, undermine community engagement, reduce the health and well-being in the population, and even lead to job losses in the turf industry. Councils were therefore faced with the challenge of utilising limited state and federal funding to optimise limited water allocations.

The impact of water restrictions on playing fields varies greatly depending on the local rainfall, soil types, ground conditions and intensity of activity. The need to know the soil moisture content in a variety of soils and conditions is paramount.

One way to reduce your water footprint is to stop over-watering.  Not only is it environmentally more sustainable, it will save money and produce better turf.

Many councils across Australia have invested in the Hydrosense soil moisture monitoring system made by Campbell Scientific to ascertain optimal water coverage and duration. With a release set for September this year, the Hydrosense II is the second generation of this innovative Australian technology.


The Hydrosense II is a handheld display and soil moisture sensor. Featuring a new display and a new easy insertion soil probe, this compact measurement system has a clear, large LCD display with a convenient layout of the buttons to allow for undemanding one-handed operation in the field.

Incorporating Bluetooth connectivity with an onboard GPS, the new and improved Hydrosense II allows for storable geo-tags recording location specific data. This data can be transmitted wirelessly from your handset to your laptop or PC and can then be exported to Google Earth, GPX and CSV (Excel).


Full spacial representation can be achieved allowing gardeners, curators and grounds keepers to selectively irrigate only where and when needed, reducing water costs, improving sustainability and the overall condition of the turf.

According to a report commissioned by the Victorian Government on ‘Ground Conditions and Injury Risk’, the Hydrosense is “easy to use, not subject to operator error”. The new Hydrosense II, which sells from around $1500, also offers the latest communication capabilities coupled with geo-tagging for more precise, three dimensional representation of your playing field and Campbell’s legendary technical and integration support.

 The Hydrosense II is recommended for any curator or grounds keeper wishing to comply with sustainability programs while getting maximum mileage from your allocated resource.


For more information about the Sustainable Sports Ground Program, visit www.grants.dpcd.vic.gov.au

Up to $100,000 is available for each project. Applications close Wednesday 10 August 2011.

For pre-sale orders please contact Gavin Hewitt

New Ticketing System to Improve Campbell Quality Service

Campbell Scientific Australia have implemented a new ticketing system to help track sales and support inquiries in order to further improve the quality of customer service we provide.  

The new system will automatically create new tickets from emails sent to our public email addresses.

Sales inquiries should be sent to info@campbellsci.com.au

Support inquiries should be sent to helpdesk@campbellsci.com.au

Customers will receive a confirmation email that their inquiry has been received and a username and password to use to log in to our Helpdesk website at http://helpdesk.campbellsci.com.au. Here customers can view all of their open tickets, look through technician replies, post responses and rate the quality of support they have received.

When a technician replies to a ticket, the customer will be notified by an email containing the reply and a link to the ticket on our website. The customer will then have the option of replying to the email as normal, or entering the website to see the ticket history and then send a response.

All quotes will be sent through the ticketing system, these will be received as an email by the customer. The customer can then reply to that email with further questions or a purchase order and the reply will be linked directly to the quote, enabling our sales and ordering staff to respond to inquiries more promptly.

More information on setting up and using a CSA helpdesk account can be found in this document: