DEVELOPMENT OF A DIGITAL OPTICAL SENSOR SYSTEM FOR MEASURING SUSPENDED SEDIMENT CONCENTRATION

Authors

  • K. N. Ogbu Department of Agricultural and Bioresources Engineering, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria. Author
  • C. C. Mbajiorgu Eco-Hydrological Systems Research Unit, Department of Agricultural and Bioresources Engineering, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria. Author

Keywords:

Optical backscatter sensor, microcontroller, suspended sediment

Abstract

Streams draining agricultural watersheds are always characterized by high transport of suspended
sediment especially during the raining season, and result to water quality and downstream degradation. It
has become imperative to continuously monitor sediment discharge so as to develop effective methods of
soil and water conservation. This study aimed at developing at developing an optical sensor system for insitu
measurement of suspended sediment concentration in streams. Water samples were collected from
Ebonyi River at Obollo-Etiti, Enugu State, Nigeria and used in testing the optical sensor instrument.
Suspended sediment concentration readings were obtained using the developed instrument and compared
with values obtained using oven-drying method in other to confirm the validity of the instrument. Linear
regression equation was obtained with a coefficient of determination of R2 = 0.8, which shows good
comparison between the two methods. The developed optical sensor system can be used in-situ for
measuring suspended sediment concentration.

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Published

2025-05-12

Issue

Vol. 22 No. 4 (2014): JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY (JAET)

Section

Articles