Dennis H. F. Mui ¹, Andy Ho ¹ and K. C. Ho ², ¹Envirochem Enterprises Limited, Hong Kong, ²Environmental Studies Program, School of Science and Technology, The Open University of Hong Kong

Abstract

Satellite Data Collection System (SDCS), a system which comprises of satellites, receiving stations, data processing centres and user’s transmitter, has been widely applied for environmental monitoring and management for more than ten years. Typical applications of the SDCS include tracing the treks of wildlife, studying oceanographic meteorology, monitoring hazardous materials transportation and mapping of fishery grounds. Yet, its applications in monitoring and management of harmful algal blooms (HAB) have been explored.

Recent technology development has equipped the SDCS with capacities for collecting and transmitting data on sea surface temperature, salinity, wind speed/direction and sea color changes accurately. It is revealed that the SDCS transmitters can be installed at user’s place and send messages automatically to satellites in low-earth orbit. Once receiving the environmental data, the low-orbited satellites will relay the messages to ground stations and data processing centers for immediate analyses. The major advantages of the SDCS include its continuous monitoring, remote controlled characteristics and its global coverage independent of the locality and localised fixed telecommunication networks.

Taking into account of SDCS’s specialties, a comprehensive monitoring and early warning project is being proposed for HABs at the South China coast. If sensors for measuring chlorophyll-a, sea water temperature and dissolved oxygen can be installed at strategic locations, the SDCS is considered a suitable system to yield regular and continuous data for future control and management of HABs.