Water Quality Monitoring Project in Hong Kong

July, 2002 – The University of Kong Kong’s Civil Engineering Department has been monitoring water quality and velocity since January, 2000 in subtropical coastal waters using a SonTek Argonaut-XR (Extended Range) and a YSI Multi-Parameter Sonde.

The monitoring project focuses on algal blooms and red tides that occur in the region. Because of the inadequacy of routine water quality sampling for this analysis, a fixed continuous monitoring program is essential. Two continuous telemetric monitoring stations have been established along the coastal regions in the New Territories and the islands to the south of Hong Kong. Measurements from these stations have been supplemented by additional bi-weekly water-quality sampling (e.g., direct Chlorophyll-a measurements) to provide accurate research data for analysis and modeling.

The monitoring system is made up using an Argonaut-XR for tidal level and water currents, a Multi-Probe Sonde with PAR sensors for the water quality profile, and a number of additional sensors. These sensors are all connected to a single micrologger and use a modem and telephone line to transmit data to the lab.

This data collection platform has successfully detected algal blooms in the area, and using the collected data, a water quality model is currently under development.

• Argonaut-XR