You're trying to monitor water quality. How can you use drones to do it?

There're several sensors that can be used with a UAV to measure water quality like multispectral sensor or using photogrammetry camera. But if you want a real analysis the best is to use Unmanned Surface Vessels (USV) with a water quality sensor that gets samples in each location. UAVs can be helpful in oil spillage for example or locating any chemical that can be seen from the air but working in coordination with USV that can monitor the water quality can make a huge difference

When it comes to monitoring water quality, there are two primary drone types: fixed-wing and multi-rotor. Fixed-wing drones have a wing-shaped design, enabling them to fly at higher speeds and for longer durations compared to multi-rotor drones, which feature multiple propellers and excel at hovering and maneuvering. Your choice between these drone types should align with your specific goals, financial considerations, and the characteristics of the terrain you are monitoring. If rapid coverage of a large area is your priority, a fixed-wing drone might be the better option.

For effective water quality monitoring, deploy specialized drones equipped with remote sensing capabilities. Utilize drones like Okulo Aerospace's long-endurance models to cover extensive water bodies in one flight. Attach multispectral or hyperspectral sensors to capture detailed imagery, enabling analysis of water conditions. Incorporate thermal cameras to identify temperature variations. Employ advanced analytics to detect pollutants, algae blooms, or changes in water composition. With drones, particularly those with extended flight capabilities, you can conduct frequent and precise water quality assessments, facilitating timely environmental management decisions.

Airborne water samplers help collect water samples for in-situ analysis. A water sampler can collect up to 5 liters of water samples from any reservoir point and bring them back in just several minutes. As all operations are automated, it significantly saves time and effort.

The equipment you choose for your drone, such as sensors and cameras, plays a crucial role in the water quality parameters you can assess. Thermal cameras are handy for measuring water surface temperature, indicating potential issues like pollutants or algae. Spectral cameras capture water reflectance across different wavelengths, providing insights into chlorophyll levels, dissolved organic matter, turbidity, and sediments.

After choosing your drone and sensors, the next steps involve careful planning for data collection and analysis. This process includes outlining your study area and goals, creating a flight plan, calibrating sensors, flying the drone to gather data, and processing and interpreting that data. Deciding on the water body to monitor and the parameters to measure is crucial for addressing specific questions. When crafting a flight plan, considerations such as optimal altitude, speed, path, duration, and adherence to safety regulations must be taken into account.

One important thing is: consider researching and maybe even reaching out to other companies that have done it. They don't have to be seen as competition (and you should research them even more then), and they will know the benefits and challenges better than anyone. Off the top of my head, I could name ST Engineering as a place to start.

Aerial Imaging: Use high-resolution cameras or multispectral sensors to detect changes in water color and turbidity. Thermal Imaging: Identify temperature variations in water bodies, indicating potential pollution. Water Sampling: Equip drones with sampling mechanisms to collect water samples for pollutant analysis. Spectroscopy: Integrate spectrometers to analyze the spectral signature of water for chemical composition. Floating Sensors: Attach sensors to drones to measure pH, dissolved oxygen, and conductivity. Real-Time Data: Transmit real-time data to a ground station for immediate assessment. GIS Mapping: Create detailed maps of water bodies with GIS mapping, overlaying water quality data.