High Resolution Mapping of Nitrate Loads of a Reservoir Using an Uncrewed Surface Vehicle: Potential Opportunities and Challenges

Abstract

AbstractReliable nutrient load estimation of a reservoir is challenging due to inconsistent spatial extent and temporal frequency of water quality and quantity measurements. This study aims to collect consistent spatial extent and temporal frequency of water depths and nitrate concentrations of a reservoir in South Korea using uncrewed surface vehicle (USV). In this study, reservoir nitrate loads were estimated using four methods to examine how spatial variation in water depth and nitrate concentrations affected load estimates. Based on dual measurements of water depth and nitrate concentration, reservoir nitrate loads across 30 sampling dates (0.7 million tons of fresh water on average) ranged from one to four tons. Results showed that a point measurement of water depths and nitrate concentrations can cause up to −17% of underestimation of nitrate loads, particularly after intense rainfall events. This study highlights potential opportunities and challenges of the USV‐based dual monitoring systems for water quality and quantity.