Application of LoRaWAN Solar Water Quality Calcium Ion Sensor

The LoRaWAN Solar-powered Calcium Ion Sensor is a specialized water quality monitoring device that integrates a calcium ion selective electrode sensing unit, a LoRaWAN low-power communication module, and a solar-powered self-sustaining system. Its core value lies in enabling real-time monitoring of calcium ion concentration in water bodies without mains electricity, over long distances, and in unattended scenarios, thereby providing data support for water quality safety, ecological protection, and industrial production. Its applications focus on the impact of calcium ion concentration on water bodies, covering multiple specialized fields, as detailed below:

1. Aquaculture Scenario: Ensuring Stable Aquaculture Water Bodies and Enhancing Breeding Efficiency

Calcium ions are critical parameters in aquaculture water systems, directly influencing the molting, growth, and survival of fish, shrimp, and crabs (e.g., shrimp molting requires sufficient calcium ions to support the formation of hard shells). They also affect the balance of pH and alkalinity in the water.

lApplication scenarios: seawater / freshwater fish ponds, shrimp ponds, shellfish and algae breeding bases, industrialized recirculating aquaculture systems.

lkey role

Real-time monitoring of calcium ion concentration in water bodies (the optimal range is typically 50–150 mg/L, varying by species). When the concentration is too low, the system automatically triggers an alert to guide aquaculture operators in timely calcium supplementation (e.g., calcium carbonate or calcium chloride). When the concentration is too high, the system prompts water replacement for dilution to prevent excessive hardness-induced stress in fish and shrimp.

By integrating pH, dissolved oxygen and other water quality sensors, a multi-parameter monitoring network is established. Data is transmitted to the cloud platform via LoRaWAN gateway, enabling farmers to remotely track trends and achieve precise feeding and water quality management.

l Technical advantages: Solar power supply resolves the lack of mains electricity in outdoor aquaculture ponds. With LoRaWAN's 3-10 km transmission range, it covers expansive contiguous aquaculture zones without cable installation, significantly reducing deployment costs.

2. Agricultural Irrigation and Farmland Water Conservancy: Preventing Soil Salinization and Protecting Crop Growth

Excessive calcium ion concentration in irrigation water can combine with carbonate and sulfate in the soil to form precipitates, leading to soil compaction and salinization, which adversely affects the water and nutrient uptake by crop roots. Conversely, insufficient concentration may result in calcium deficiency in the soil, impairing the quality of fruits and vegetables (e.g., tomato umbilical rot).

lApplication scenarios: farmland irrigation channels, reservoir water intake points, water source monitoring for drip irrigation systems, and saline-alkali land improvement pilot zones.

lkey role

Monitor the calcium ion concentration in irrigation water sources to provide a basis for irrigation planning: If the calcium content is excessively high, measures such as sedimentation filtration and dilution mixing can be adopted to prevent exacerbating soil salinization; if the calcium content is insufficient, appropriate amounts of calcium fertilizer can be added to the irrigation water to supplement soil calcium elements.

For the saline-alkali land improvement project, long-term monitoring of calcium ion changes during irrigation and drainage processes can be conducted to evaluate the improvement effects and optimize the improvement plan.

lKey features: Mounts are installed either underground or wall-mounted, with solar panels oriented toward sunlight to withstand harsh outdoor conditions. The IP68-rated protection provides rain and sand resistance.

3. Drinking Water Sources and Municipal Water Supply Monitoring: Ensuring Water Safety for Residents

Calcium ions are routine monitoring indicators in drinking water. An appropriate concentration of calcium ions (50–150 mg/L) in drinking water is beneficial to human health, but excessively high concentrations can lead to increased water hardness, resulting in scale formation after boiling and potentially elevating the risk of renal calculi. Additionally, fluctuations in calcium ion concentration can reflect potential contamination of water sources by industrial wastewater or groundwater leakage.

lApplication scenarios: drinking water sources such as reservoirs, lakes, and rivers, as well as the terminal points of municipal water supply networks and secondary water supply tanks.

lkey role

Implement grid-based monitoring of water sources to track calcium ion concentration distribution in real time. Upon detecting abnormal fluctuations (e.g., sudden spikes), promptly investigate potential issues such as industrial discharges or groundwater intrusion to prevent contaminated water from entering the supply system.

Monitor the calcium ion concentration at the terminal end of the water supply network to assess pipeline corrosion (abnormally low calcium concentration may indicate calcium dissolution due to internal wall corrosion), and guide pipeline maintenance and replacement.

lData value: Leveraging LoRaWAN's low-power, wide-coverage capabilities, multiple sensors can be deployed in remote water sources to establish a low-cost monitoring network. The data is directly uploaded to the water authority's regulatory platform, enabling automated early warning.

4. Industrial Wastewater and Circulating Water Monitoring: Supporting Industrial Water Conservation and Emission Reduction

In industrial production, calcium ion concentration is a key control parameter for circulating cooling water, boiler water, and electroplating wastewater. Excessive calcium concentration in circulating water can easily lead to scale formation, clogging pipelines and heat exchangers. Moreover, excessive calcium concentration in electroplating wastewater not only affects plating quality but also increases the difficulty of wastewater treatment.

lApplication scenarios: circulating water systems in steel mills, chemical plants, and power plants, as well as wastewater discharge outlets in electroplating plants and food processing facilities.

lkey role

lMonitor the calcium ion concentration in circulating water to guide the dosage of scale inhibitors and water softeners, thereby preventing scale formation, improving heat transfer efficiency, and reducing energy consumption. Simultaneously, this approach decreases the frequency of circulating water discharge, achieving water conservation and emission reduction.

Monitor calcium ion concentrations at industrial wastewater discharge outlets to ensure compliance with emission standards (which vary by industry) and prevent environmental penalties for exceeding limits.

lAdvantages of adaptation: The sensor is made of corrosion-resistant materials (such as 316 stainless steel and PTFE polytetrafluoroethylene), capable of withstanding the acidity, alkalinity, and chemical corrosion of industrial wastewater; solar power supply eliminates the need for industrial electricity connection, thereby avoiding electrical safety hazards.

5. Ecological Environment Monitoring: Assessment of Water Body Ecological Health

The concentration of calcium ions in natural water bodies (rivers, lakes, wetlands) is closely related to the aquatic ecosystem. For instance, low calcium concentrations can impair the growth and reproduction of plankton and shellfish, disrupting the food chain, while high concentrations may exacerbate eutrophication.

lApplication scenarios: Ecological monitoring of river basins, protection of lakes and wetlands, and water body monitoring in nature reserves.

lkey role

Long-term monitoring of calcium ion concentration in water bodies, combined with indicators such as algae and dissolved oxygen, is conducted to assess the ecological health status of water bodies, providing data support for ecological restoration projects (e.g., river dredging and ecological water replenishment).

The influence of rainfall and runoff on calcium ion concentration in water body was tracked, the soil erosion and water loss in the basin were analyzed, and the ecological protection measures were guided.

Core Application Advantages of the Sensor

No reliance on mains power: Powered by solar energy and storage batteries, it is ideal for remote outdoor water bodies without electricity supply, with minimal maintenance costs.

Long-range transmission: The LoRaWAN protocol supports transmission over several kilometers, enabling a single gateway to cover vast water areas without requiring relay devices.

Long-term stable operation: Featuring low-power design and corrosion-resistant packaging, it can operate continuously for 3-5 years in underwater or humid environments without frequent maintenance.