EXPERIMENTAL ENVIRONMENTAL & INFRASTRUCTURE MONITORING IN FINLAND

At Kokkola University Consortium Chydenius, Finland, several projects are running that operate LoRaWAN-based sensor networks for environmental and infrastructure monitoring. Numerous Decentlab sensors are used in these networks. We have previously reported on the DiVes project, in which Decentlab's DL-PR26 sensors are deployed.

One of the latest installations in the TAKOMO project is the deployment of digital snow depth sensors at four locations: two measure the total snow accumulation over the winter using Decentlab ultrasonic DL-MBX-003 sensors, while two others are on plowed areas and provide data using laser based devices to indicate when winter maintenance should be carried out. The ultrasonic sensors are lighter, flexible, and battery-powered, whereas the laser devices are more expensive but highly precise. Recently Decentlab introduced as well a laser based device for snow level. The DL-LID | Laser Distance / Level Sensor for LoRaWAN®.

As part of the TAKOMO project, DL-PR26 sensors have been installed in coastal groundwater wells to continuously monitor water level and pressure. In some of the wells DL-CTD10 and DL-CTD10B devices also measure electrical conductivity. These wells also include additional pH sensors to detect potential seawater intrusion and changes in water quality. These measurements also allow researchers to observe whether seawater enters wells simultaneously, which are located at a distance from each other.

In the DustSense project, monitoring stations have been installed around of the Kokkola industrial area to track potential dust emissions. The stations use different types of particulate matter sensors, including Decentlab’s DL-PM. Wind data is also collected to determine the direction of dust dispersion. Now, the wireless dust monitoring network includes 15 measurement points in which 8 DL-PM devices are deployed to give comparison data to other sensors.

Thanks to the great work at Kokkola University Consortium Chydenius – we look forward to further tests and measurements.