A Smart System for Environmental Parameter Monitoring in Underwater Archaeological Sites

Abstract

In this paper, we present a prototype for the remote monitoring of underwater archaeological sites. The system aims to provide autonomous and real-time data collection from environmental probes and also includes biofouling detection based on image processing. The monitoring system is equipped with sensors to measure various parameters of interest, including temperature, pH, conductivity, dissolved oxygen, and oxidation-reduction potential. To detect biofouling, a camera is integrated into the system, and an analysis is performed on the captured images utilizing indices such as the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and the PYM method. The system consists of a subsea node placed near the monitoring site, connected to a surface buoy through an umbilical cable. The surface buoy contains an LTE router for data transmission to a remote web platform for data storage and visualization. The hardware of the underwater node includes an embedded computer, responsible for providing functionalities for image processing and interfacing with the web platform, and a micro-controller board to read the sensor measurements. The developed remote monitoring system has been tested in a marine environment and offers a comprehensive solution for long-term environmental parameter analysis, biofouling detection, and real-time data access. It holds great potential for applications in marine research, environmental monitoring, and ecosystem studies.