About Some Aspects of Use of Optical Sensors for Monitoring the Aquatic Environment

Abstract

Multi-channel polarization optical technology is increasingly used for prompt monitoring of water systems. Optical devices during the assessment of water quality determine the intensity of light through the studied aquatic environment. Spectrophotometric devices measure the spectrum of weakening of light through the aquatic environment. Spectroellipsometric devices receive spectra in vertical and horizontal polarizations. The presented article develops an adaptive optical hardware and image system for monitoring water bodies. The system is combined. It consists of 2 parts: 1) automated spectrophotometer-refractometer, and 2) adaptive spectroellipsometer. The system is equipped with a corresponding algorithmic and software, including algorithms for identifying spectral curves, databases and knowledge of spectral curves algorithms for solving reverse problems. The presented system is original since it differs from modern foreign systems by a new method of spectrophotometric and spectroellipsometric measurements, an original elemental base of polarization optics and a comprehensive mathematical approach to assessing the quality of a water body. There are no rotating polarization elements in the system. Therefore, this makes it possible to increase the signal-to-noise ratio and, as a result, improve measurement stability and simplify multichannel spectrophotometers and spectroellipsometers. The proposed system can be used in various water systems where it is necessary to assess water quality or identify the presence of a certain set of chemical elements.