Astronomers at the University of Leiden (the Netherlands) are developing a companion device for the smartphone with which users will be able to determine the level of water pollution.
This was preceded by research by the same team of astronomers and toxicologists in 2013, which was created by “smart” device for smartphones iSPEX (Spectropolarimeter for Planetary Exploration), which measures the level of air pollution. Thousands of residents of the Netherlands, Greece, UK and other European countries participated in the air monitoring, which resulted in a detailed map of the dust particles over Europe.
The technology underlying the definition of water quality, borrowed from astronomers. They use it to determine the presence of oxygen on other planets. When using it eliminates the need to send samples of water, air or products to the lab for costly research.
Studies of water have their own characteristics. So the color of the water is influenced by several factors. For example, a strong wind picks up the dregs from the bottom, and the clouds covering the sun, making the water darker. Research participants are invited to photograph the sky over the water for more accurate results.
The technology will be tested for at least two years. Scientists hope that they will be able to combine the advanced astronomical technology with environmental science. The result may be the creation of a simple device to measure the level of water pollution.
Source — University of Leiden