Estudos sobre sistemas de análise e monitoramento de recursos hídricos com tecnologias de código aberto: caso do Projeto Mãe D’Água da Rede Infoamazonia

Abstract

The scientific and technological advances should aim to society better living conditions, and the development of research that combines the fields of technology, health and environment are fundamental to the achievement this goal. Emerging technologies in the area of the connected digital technologies are enabling the creation of research equipment at very low costs, resulting in the increased interest of various sectors of society in various fields of research. One of those interests is the research that aims to analyze and monitor parameters related to the quality characteristics of water resources. The assessment of water quality requires human and material resources to carry out collection and testing in laboratories with high cost reagents and equipment. The automation of the analysis process, without the need for human intervention to collect samples or evaluation of these can provide a reduction in costs, increase the frequency of these assessments, reduce the response time to risk situations and popularize this process. This study aims to evaluate the contributions of open source projects for science and society, focusing on the study, the case of a system of analysis and monitoring of water resources with open and cost-effective technology. The system consists of monitoring software and hardware platform built in electronic programmable microcontroller coupled to sensors that in contact with water, they are capable of measuring physicochemical parameters that can indicate the presence of contaminants. The descriptive and analytical research process primarily aimed at the identification, recording and analysis of the characteristics, factors or variables that relate to this study, through system experimental evaluation and review of the literature and documentary are seeking references in the context of Environmental Science and technology. The results showed that the evaluated system has all the elements that characterize it as an open source project, also demonstrating low cost of construction of a multiparametric water analysis meter. The system has been shown to be able to measure and monitor parameters related to water characteristics with good accuracy, equating their performance with equipment of consolidated technology. It was shown in this study, increasing interest in the use of open source projects related to the benefits coming from the characteristics of this type of project. The experimental study of the evaluated system found the possibility and feasibility of its use for both society as a tool with the ability to provide information, even if minimal, characteristics of the water used; and as data tool that can support public policy management of water resources and also to science itself, as a resource that can assist and make feasible to carry out research with lower costs