Datastreams
Air Temperature
Air Temperature refers to the measure of the thermal state of the air at a specific location, indicating how hot or cold the air is.
Average Vapor Pressure
Average Vapor Pressure refers to the average pressure exerted by water vapor present in the air. It indicates the amount of moisture in the air. Vapor pressure is influenced by temperature, and higher temperatures generally result in higher vapor pressures, meaning the air can hold more moisture.
Barometric Pressure
Barometric Pressure, also known as atmospheric pressure, refers to the force exerted by the weight of the atmosphere above a given point
Battery Voltage
Battery Voltage refers to the electrical potential difference provided by a battery. In the context of a lake buoy sensor, battery voltage is used to monitor the power supply status of the buoy’s sensors and electronics.
Blue-Green Algae
A blue-green algae sensor measures the fluorescence emitted by algae in water to monitor the concentration of blue-green algae and indicate the potential for an algal bloom.
Chlorophyll
Chlorophyll is a green pigment found in plants, algae, and cyanobacteria that plays a crucial role in photosynthesis. It allows these organisms to absorb light, typically sunlight, and convert it into chemical energy. Chlorophyll specifically absorbs light in the blue and red wavelengths and reflects green, which gives plants their green color.
In the context of a lake buoy sensor, chlorophyll concentration is often measured as an indicator of the amount of algae or phytoplankton in the water. High levels of chlorophyll can indicate algal blooms, which may affect water quality and aquatic life.
Compass Heading
Compass Heading refers to the directional measurement of an object or sensor relative to magnetic north.
Depth
Depth refers to the vertical distance from the surface of a body of water, such as a lake or ocean, to a specific point below.
Dew Point
Dew Point is the temperature at which air becomes saturated with moisture and water vapor begins to condense into liquid water (dew). At the dew point, the air holds the maximum amount of water vapor it can at a given temperature, leading to condensation.
Dissolved Oxygen
Dissolved oxygen (DO) refers to the amount of oxygen gas that is present and freely mixed within a body of water, essentially meaning the oxygen molecules that have dissolved into the water from the atmosphere or through aquatic plant photosynthesis; it's a crucial factor for aquatic life and is measured in milligrams per liter (mg/L).
Dissolved Oxygen at Saturation
Dissolved Oxygen at Saturation refers to the maximum amount of oxygen that can be dissolved in water at a given temperature and pressure, essentially meaning the water is holding the highest possible concentration of oxygen it can under those conditions, expressed as a percentage and considered "100% saturated" with oxygen; this level decreases as water temperature increases.
Enclosure Relative Humidity
Enclosure Relative Humidity refers to the percentage of moisture in the air inside a protective enclosure, relative to the maximum amount of moisture the air can hold at a specific temperature. It is expressed as a percentage (%), with 100% relative humidity meaning the air is fully saturated with moisture.
Enclosure Temperature
Enclosure Temperature refers to the temperature inside a protective housing or enclosure that contains electronic components, such as sensors, in environmental monitoring systems.
Oxidation Reduction Potential
Oxidation-Reduction Potential (ORP) is a measure of a solution's ability to either gain or lose electrons during chemical reactions, indicating its oxidation or reduction capacity. ORP is expressed in millivolts (mV), and higher ORP values indicate a greater tendency to accept electrons (oxidizing conditions), while lower ORP values indicate a tendency to donate electrons (reducing conditions).
pH
pH is a measure of the acidity or alkalinity of a substance, expressed on a scale ranging from 0 to 14. A pH of 7 is considered neutral, values below 7 are acidic, and values above 7 are basic or alkaline. The pH scale is logarithmic, meaning each whole number change represents a tenfold increase or decrease in hydrogen ion concentration.
Photosynthetic Active Radiation
Photosynthetically Active Radiation (PAR) refers to the specific range of light wavelengths (between 400 and 700 nanometers) that plants can use for photosynthesis, essentially the visible light spectrum that plants utilize to convert sunlight into energy for growth; it's the portion of the light spectrum most efficiently absorbed by chlorophyll, the primary pigment involved in photosynthesis.
Pressure at Depth
Pressure at Depth refers to the pressure exerted by the weight of the water above a given point below the surface. As you go deeper into a body of water, the pressure increases due to the weight of the water and the atmosphere above it.
Relative Fluorescence
Relative Fluorescence refers to the measurement of the intensity of light emitted by fluorescent substances (such as chlorophyll or dissolved organic matter) in water when they are excited by a specific wavelength of light. In a lake buoy sensor, this measurement is used to estimate the concentration of these substances in the water. The term "relative" indicates that the fluorescence value is compared to a reference or baseline rather than representing an absolute concentration, allowing for trends and changes in water quality, such as algal blooms, to be monitored over time.
Relative Humidity
Relative Humidity (RH) refers to the amount of water vapor present in the air compared to the maximum amount the air can hold at a specific temperature, expressed as a percentage (%). A relative humidity of 100% means the air is fully saturated with water vapor, and any additional moisture would result in condensation (e.g., dew or rain).
Salinity
Salinity refers to the concentration of dissolved salts in water. It is an essential factor in determining the chemical composition of water and plays a crucial role in the health and survival of aquatic organisms.
Specific Conductance
Specific Conductance (also known as electrical conductivity) is a measure of a water body's ability to conduct an electrical current, which depends on the concentration of dissolved ions, such as salts, in the water.
Total Dissolved Solids
Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) refers to the combined amount of all inorganic and organic substances, such as minerals, salts, and metals, dissolved in water.
Turbidity
Turbidity refers to the cloudiness or haziness of water caused by the presence of suspended particles such as silt, clay, algae, organic matter, and other microscopic organisms. It is a key indicator of water quality and reflects the degree to which light is scattered by particles in the water.
Water Temperature
Water temperature refers to the measurement of how hot or cold water is, essentially indicating the average kinetic energy of its molecules, and is expressed in degrees Celsius (°C) or Fahrenheit (°F).
Wind Direction
Wind Direction refers to the direction from which the wind is blowing, typically measured in degrees from true north.
Wind Gust
Wind Gust refers to a brief, sudden increase in wind speed that typically lasts for a few seconds. Wind gusts are usually stronger than the average wind speed and are caused by atmospheric turbulence or changes in weather conditions, such as the passage of a cold front or a thunderstorm. They can have significant impacts on water surfaces, structures, and ecosystems, especially in marine or coastal environments.
Wind Speed
Wind Speed refers to the rate at which air is moving in the atmosphere at a specific location.
