Open-source spectrometer for citizen science monitoring of nutrient loading

Session: 59. - Innovative Monitoring across the Great Lakes

Hunter King, University of Akron, hking@uakron.edu
Kelly Siman, University of Akron, kes126@zips.uakron.edu
Banafsheh Khakipoor, University of Akron, bk98@zips.uakron.edu
Jiansheng Feng, University of Akron, jfeng@uakron.edu
Adam Smith, University of Akron, asmith5@uakron.edu

Abstract

We present a cellphone camera-based spectrometer for measure of phosphorus and nitrogen concentration.  The combined hardware/software is designed to meet the following goals:  require only 3D printed parts and cheap, readily available materials, such that it can be affordable/fabricable in many makerspace/fablabs; be transparent and user friendly, such as to function as teaching tool in K-12 water-related lesson plans and in parks; produce accurate results vs. comparable Hach colorimeters; and allow simple aggregation of resulting data, which is shared with the users. 
The intent is to provide a much needed supplementary data set for nutrient loading from local sources along the watershed, by local inhabitants, while promoting a tangible appreciation of water-related issues in young people.

1. Keyword
citizen science

2. Keyword
algae

3. Keyword
nutrients

4. Additional Keyword
sensor

5. Additional Keyword
education