Floating DGT Platform for Accurate Sediment-Water Interface Sampling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for studying pollutant migration and transformation on the sediment-water interface fail to accurately capture in-situ data due to environmental disturbances, such as wind and water disturbances, leading to inaccurate simulation of pollutant release mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A device comprising a floating platform with take-up and pay-off components, DGT samplers, and sediment collectors that allow for in-situ sampling and monitoring, enabling direct measurement of substance migration and transformation on the sediment-water interface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If laboratory simulation experiments are used to study pollutant migration, then controlled measurement conditions can be achieved, but environmental disturbances such as wind and water disturbances cannot be simulated and accurate in-situ data cannot be obtained
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a floating platform as an intermediary carrier that bridges the laboratory DGT device and the natural water body. The platform supports the DGT sampler and allows it to be deployed in-situ on the water surface, enabling measurements that reflect actual environmental conditions while maintaining the controlled measurement capabilities of the DGT technique. This intermediary structure resolves the contradiction by providing a stable platform that adapts to field conditions.
2Quantity of substance
If cylindrical samples are collected and inserted in DGT flat plates in laboratory, then pollutant diffusion flux can be measured, but the method cannot reflect accurate in-situ data and fails to simulate field environment changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary deployment of the DGT sampler on the floating platform in the natural water body before actual measurement begins. The sampler is pre-positioned at the sediment-water interface in-situ, allowing it to capture pollutant diffusion under actual field conditions rather than requiring later laboratory insertion of collected samples. This preliminary in-situ deployment ensures the measurement reflects true environmental conditions.
3Adaptability or versatility
If surface sediment samples are collected for simulation experiments, then pollutant release can be studied under variable water quantity, but the method cannot simulate wind disturbance or water disturbance and cannot provide accurate in-situ data
Solution Approach 1:
The DGT sampler deployed on the floating platform performs self-service measurement by directly sampling pollutants from the sediment-water interface in-situ. The device automatically captures diffusion flux data under actual variable environmental conditions (wind, water movement, temperature changes) without requiring removal to laboratory for analysis. This self-service approach in the field ensures both adaptability to variable conditions and precision of in-situ data.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables accurate, in-situ data collection and analysis of pollutant migration and transformation, reflecting actual environmental conditions and facilitating a better understanding of pollutant mechanisms.
Implementation Method 1
DGT, as a technique for in-situ measurement of the ion diffusion flux or the ion concentration in a medium, obtains the concentration of ions by quantitatively measuring and calculating the ions penetrating through a diffusive film with a certain thickness within a specific time based on Fick's first law of diffusion.
Data Source
AI summary
A device for in-situ measurement of substance migration and transformation on a sediment-water interface includes a floating platform. Three take-up and pay-off components are fixedly connected to the edge of a top surface of the floating platform. Each take-up and pay-off component comprises an L-shaped base, a cable take-up and pay-off assembly, vertical rods, a guide sheave wheel, an adjustment assembly and a first cable. Two DGT samplers are fixedly connected to bottom ends of two three take-up and pay-off components. Water quality monitoring sensors are fixedly connected to the two first cables fixedly connected to the two DGT samplers, respectively. A sediment collector is fixedly connected to a bottom end of the other take-up and pay-off component. Sampling can be performed in-situ directly through DGT flat plates to avoid the impact of environmental changes.