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Digital Innovation in Citizen Science to Enhance Water Quality Monitoring in Developing Countries.
- Source :
- IWMI Working Papers; 2023, Issue 210, pi-29, 37p
- Publication Year :
- 2023
-
Abstract
- Freshwater systems are adversely affected disproportionately by the ongoing, global environmental crisis. The effective and efficient water resource conservation and management necessary to mitigate the crisis requires monitoring data especially on water quality. This is recognized by Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6, particularly indicator 6.3.2., which requires all United Nations (UN) member states to measure and report the 'proportion of water bodies with good ambient water quality'. However, gathering sufficient data on water quality is reliant on data collection at spatial and temporal scales that are generally outside the capacity of institutions using conventional methods. Digital technologies, such as wireless sensor networks and remote sensing, have come to the fore as promising avenues to increase the scope of data collection and reporting. Citizen science (which goes by many names, e.g., participatory science or community-based monitoring) has also been earmarked as a powerful mechanism to improve monitoring. However, both modern digital technologies and citizen science approaches have drawbacks and limitations. The synergy between the power of automated, verifiable data collection using modern technologies, and the power of citizen science to improve the spatial and temporal resolution of data collection while engaging and empowering communities, presents an opportunity to use the best features of each mechanism to mitigate the shortcomings of the other. Smartphones, sometimes in conjunction with other sensors, present such a nexus point, providing a method for citizen scientists to engage with and use sophisticated modern technology for water quality monitoring. Smartphones are widely accessible and equipped for objective, comprehensive and accurate data collection. The data can also be uploaded (via internet connections) to large cloud-based databases with cloud-based computing for data management and reporting. This paper presents a research synthesis of technological upgrades or innovations in citizen science water quality monitoring in developing countries, with a particular focus on exploring the current status of modern, smartphone-based, or smartphone-assisted citizen science tools, and how those tools can be validated or expanded for SDG reporting in developing countries. Essentially, the paper aims to briefly summarize the current standing, reiterate the urgent need for research and action in water resource monitoring and management, and urge further engagement with citizen science water quality monitoring using digital innovations; digital innovations for smartphones are being rapidly developed, but the scientific validation for their use in specific circumstances or regions, as well as their uptake and upscaling, are still widely lacking. Globally, there are many options and developments relevant to citizen science smartphone-based or smartphone-assisted water quality monitoring. However, not all modern developments are suitable for deployment or testing across all socio-ecological environments. Innovations in smartphone water quality monitoring in low and middle-income country contexts need to be low-cost (requiring minimal input costs beyond having a smartphone), easy-to-use, easily scalable, commercially available, suited to use by minimally skilled people in rural and developing areas. Moreover, monitoring all the parameters (physical, chemical and biological) that contribute to water quality is highly complex and outside the scope of what is achievable by most people, organizations, or even governments. As a result, it is sensible that water resource monitoring and management efforts are primarily directed toward addressing the SDG indicators to align with global goals. The SDG water quality indicators were chosen as a result of extensive consultation and research. They are designed to provide a snapshot of water quality suitable for most regions and socioeconomic situations worldwide. The SDG 6.3.2. indicator method employs a water quality index that integrates basic core water quality parameters; oxygen, salinity, nitrogen, phosphorus and acidification. Monitoring algae, temperature and clarity also presents useful options since they are highly relevant to ambient water quality and can be monitored cheaply and easily by citizen scientists. This paper summarizes a non-exhaustive list of examples of smartphone-based or smartphone-assisted applications (mobile apps) that are suggested or recommended for research and implementation in developing countries. Research and development regarding these options should aim to validate the accuracy of data collection, accessibility, ease of use, cost, and the feasibility of contributing to pathways from data collection to citizen mobilization and decision-making. Ultimately, once these options are validated, they can be used to design and implement monitoring networks around the globe. Welldesigned citizen science water quality monitoring apps on smartphones can increase community engagement regarding environmental issues and policy, build awareness and scientific literacy, and generate large amounts of data, all at a greatly reduced cost compared to conventional and modern technological methods. It is suggested that smartphone-based or smartphoneassisted citizen science water quality monitoring has the potential to address critical data and knowledge gaps that contribute towards reporting on at least SDG 6.3.2 while fulfilling SDG 6b 'procedures for participation of local communities in water and sanitation management' - a potential which is still often not realized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 20125763
- Issue :
- 210
- Database :
- Supplemental Index
- Journal :
- IWMI Working Papers
- Publication Type :
- Report
- Accession number :
- 175536930
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.5337/2024.201