Practical Solutions in Coastal Water Quality Monitoring
Coastal zones are complex, high-value environments where freshwater meets the ocean — and where pressures from human activity, development, and climate change are intensifying. For water professionals, monitoring coastal water quality is essential for protecting ecosystems, ensuring regulatory compliance, and making informed management decisions.
At SME Monitoring, we provide a full suite of In-Situ Inc. water quality monitoring instruments designed to deliver reliable, accurate data in challenging coastal conditions. Whether you’re working on a restoration project, managing a recreational water body, or conducting long-term environmental monitoring, we support your goals with field-ready technology and expert service.
Why Monitor Coastal Water Quality?
Coastal water bodies are impacted by a wide range of physical, chemical, and biological processes, including:
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Stormwater runoff and nutrient loading
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Harmful algal blooms (HABs) and hypoxia
- Coastal Mining and Harbour Dredging
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Saltwater intrusion into freshwater systems
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Contaminants from industrial and maritime activity
Monitoring allows for timely detection of issues, compliance with regulations, and evaluation of management strategies. But it also demands instruments that can withstand saline conditions, biofouling, and shifting hydrodynamics — exactly what In-Situ’s solutions are built for.
Key Parameters in Coastal Monitoring
SME Monitoring helps clients measure critical water quality parameters using In-Situ multiparameter sondes and sensors, ideal for fixed-site or mobile deployment. These include:
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Physical
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Temperature
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Salinity / Conductivity
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Turbidity
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Total Suspended Solids (TSS)
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Chemical
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Dissolved Oxygen (DO) (including optical DO for stability in variable salinity)
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pH and ORP
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Nutrients (via grab sampling and lab analysis)
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Biological
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Chlorophyll-a and blue-green algae sensors for HAB detection
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Fecal Indicator Bacteria (Enterococci, E. coli – sampled for lab analysis)
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In-Situ Technology for Coastal Environments
SME Monitoring offers In-Situ’s full line of rugged, field-deployable equipment, including:
🔹 Aqua TROLL® Multiparameter Sondes
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Modular and customizable for up to 20 parameters
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Ideal for long-term deployment in marine and estuarine environments
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Antifouling options available (e.g., copper guards, wipers)
🔹 Level TROLL® Pressure Transducers
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Monitor tidal fluctuations and groundwater-surface water interactions
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Titanium models available for saltwater durability
🔹 VuLink® Telemetry Systems
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Real-time data transmission via cellular or satellite
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Integrates with HydroVu™ data services for remote access and alerts
🔹 Flow Monitoring
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Pair water quality monitoring with MACE ultrasonic flowmeters for open channels or tidal creeks to understand pollutant loads
SME Monitoring supports turnkey deployments, offering installation guidance, calibration services, and ongoing technical support.
Monitoring Strategies for Coastal Projects
Our clients work across diverse coastal projects:
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Shellfish and aquaculture site monitoring
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Recreational beach water quality programs
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Stormwater outfall impact assessments
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Estuarine restoration and nutrient tracking
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Climate resilience and sea level rise studies
Whether deploying permanent stations or conducting seasonal surveys, SME equips teams with reliable data to drive better decisions.
Integrated Monitoring for Better Management
The future of coastal water management lies in connected, scalable monitoring networks. With SME and In-Situ tools, you can:
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Detect and respond to HABs in real time
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Track the success of restoration efforts with continuous data
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Monitor compliance with local, state, or federal water quality standards
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Generate reports and visualizations easily via HydroVu or integrate with your own platform
Let’s Build a Smarter Coastline
Water quality monitoring in coastal systems is complex — but it doesn’t have to be complicated. SME Monitoring combines local expertise with In-Situ’s world-class instrumentation to deliver dependable data, from the estuary to the ocean.
Empower your team with the tools you need to protect coastal resources — and make every data point count.