OSIL, UK, is introducing an Oil in Water monitoring buoy, a rapid-deployment option for localised spill events and preventative monitoring. The compact and rugged buoy system is designed for short-term monitoring (up to 24 months) and emergency deployment in sheltered coastal and inshore areas where deployment from a small vessel, or by a single person, may be required.

Weighing just 25kg and being only 60cm in diameter and 2.0m in overall length, the lightweight and low-cost buoy is easily handled by one person in the field.

Detection of hydrocarbons in the water column is performed by a submersible sensor. Sensors are available for both crude oil and refined fuels, and are protected from collision damage within the robust central structure. This has been designed to accommodate a multiparameter sonde or similar instrument, meaning the system can also be equipped with a range of sensors to measure and report other water quality parameters.

The system itself is powered by two 5W solar panels, and is equipped with battery backup, navigation and warning lights, and any other markings as necessary. A range of telemetry options are available (UHF/VHF, GSM, GPRS, Satellite), selected to suit both the location and application requirements. OSIL provides a complete data telemetry solution, including either desk top or web-based software packages to access the data, ensuring constant and immediate data collection.

Alert messages advising of unexpected rises in hydrocarbon levels, or other parameters, can be transmitted to mobile devices, vessels, or other remote users

The detection of crude oil is a parameter that managers, researchers and consultants continue to add to their required suite of measurements taken during environmental monitoring projects. Monitoring of aquatic environments for refined oils (fuels) is another way to provide awareness of increasing contaminations so that protocols may be implemented to avoid hazardous situations.

(spill-international.com, Edited by Topco)