Tech aids research into Kaipara Moana ecological restoration

Contributions from Spark IoT and Phathom have bolstered efforts to protect and restore the mauri of the Kaipara Moana. These two companies are providing the necessary connectivity and technology, in collaboration with Kaipara Moana Remediation and the University of Auckland, to support the PhD research of Anne-Fleur van Leeuwen's PhD research. Her research focuses on the effects of river sediment and nutrient dispersal in the Kaipara Moana.

Anne-Fleur's project began in August at Port Albert Wharf, situated on the Hōteo river mouth at the edge of the Ōruawharo estuary arm. Phathom, which is involved in the project, specialises in designing and manufacturing sensors for real-time sediment monitoring, as confirmed by Phathom Sales Manager Emma Ford.

Ford elaborated, "We use four beams of light and a ratiometric algorithm to accurately and reliably measure sediment in our awa. Our technology stems from our specialised dairy instrumentation, Quadbeam. We developed Phathom as a passion project in response to huge sediment spills and a lack of accountability. The same technology, with easier communication, low power, and lower costs, is now being utilised for the water industry."

Ford added, "We love to stay true to our roots and get involved in community projects like Kaipara Moana Remediation, using our technology to assist their mahi. If we can help measure sediment in the beautiful Kaipara, we can take accountability for improving its health in the future."

Spark IoT has provided a Captis solar-powered data logger that employs Spark's Cat-M1 IoT network. This logger is connected to the Phathom sensor to ensure water quality readings are collected every 15 minutes and sent to the cloud daily for immediate, detailed, and cost-effective analysis.

Philippe Boulanger, Spark IoT Growth Lead, remarked, "IoT and other high-tech solutions are a natural enabler in helping communities to better understand and manage the health of our rivers, lakes, and water as an essential resource. All water has 'mauri' or life force. Measuring if the mauri of the water is improving or declining using IoT is critical to the Kaipara Moana Remediation project."

Anne-Fleur expressed her enthusiasm about the project, saying, "I am stoked to have the technology in place and monitoring underway." She believes estuaries have a filtering effect that cleanses river water of sediments and nutrients before it enters the open ocean, ensuring a thriving estuarine and marine ecosystem.

Kaipara Moana and its estuaries constitute a significant ecosystem where ocean and river water meet, deeply connected to the surrounding land and catchment. Anne-Fleur is utilising the connectivity and technology of Spark IoT and Phathom to collect water, sediment, and zooplankton samples. These will be combined with existing data and satellite images to understand the dispersal and concentration of riverine nutrients and sediments under various tidal and weather conditions, including storms like Cyclone Gabrielle.

The research aims to identify changes within the river plume and any links to zooplankton species and mangrove accretion. Anne-Fleur hopes her findings will offer new insights into areas affected by river sediments and how this could shift with climate change and on-land restoration efforts.

With the support of Kaipara Moana Remediation, Anne-Fleur plans to present her research findings to the Kaipara Moana community in the future.