Case studies

Lagoon environmental monitoring with underwater stations for water level control

Within the context of environmental monitoring activities in lagoon environments, eight underwater monitoring stations have been installed for the control of water levels in an area particularly sensitive to high water events and tidal monitoring.

Station description

Each station is installed below water level and consists of a data acquisition system for hydrological monitoring, housed inside a watertight tube specifically designed for this application, effectively acting as a vessel. Inside the enclosure, silica has been inserted to maintain a dry internal environment and ensure vacuum conditions, preventing water ingress and preserving the data acquisition electronics over time.

The control units are connected to level sensors for water level monitoring, installed at different depths. Each station typically includes two or three sensors, positioned along the water column to accurately measure level variations and the vertical dynamics of tidal motion. The system enables continuous data collection and remote data transmission, allowing detailed analysis of tidal trends and water level variations in a complex and dynamic lagoon environment.

Importance of the installed system

The information collected by this network of stations improves the understanding of hydrodynamic processes and coastal hydrogeology, providing useful data for environmental studies, research activities, and support for management and mitigation strategies related to high water events.

Continuous monitoring is a key tool for observing long-term water level evolution and contributing to the protection of lagoon environments characterized by high variability and fragility, with applications in geotechnical monitoring and water resource management.