Distributed chemical sensor networks for environmental sensing

Society is increasingly accustomed to instant access to real-time information, due to the ubiquitous use of the internet and web-based access tools. Intelligent search engines enable huge data repositories to be searched, and highly relevant information returned in real time. These repositories increasingly include environmental information related to the environment, such as distributed air and water quality. However, while this information at present is typically historical, for example, through agency reports, there is increasing demand for real-time environmental data. In this paper, the issues involved in obtaining data from autonomous chemical sensors are discussed, and examples of current deployments presented. Strategies for achieving large-scale deployments are discussed

Landfill gas monitoring network - development of wireless sensor network platforms

A wireless sensor network has been developed for the application of landfill gas monitoring, specifically sensing methane, carbon dioxide and extraction pressure. This collaborative work with the Irish Environmental Protection Agency has been motivated by the need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions as well as aiming to improve landfill gas management and utilisation. This paper describes the preliminary findings of an ongoing trial deployment of multiple sensing platforms on an active landfill facility; data has been acquired for nine months to date. The platforms have operated successfully despite adverse on-site conditions, with validity demonstrated by reasonably strong correlation with independent on-site measurements. The increased temporal and spatial resolution provided by distributed sensor platforms is discussed with regard to improving landfill gas management practice

Open-source digital technologies for low-cost monitoring of historical constructions

This paper shows new possibilities of using novel, open-source, low-cost platforms for the structural health monitoring of heritage structures. The objective of the study is to present an assessment of increasingly available open-source digital modeling and fabrication technologies in order to identify the suitable counterparts of the typical components of a continuous static monitoring system for a historical construction. The results of the research include a simple case-study, which is presented with low-cost, open-source, calibrated components, as well as an assessment of different alternatives for deploying basic structural health monitoring arrangements. The results of the research show the great potential of these existing technologies that may help to promote a widespread and cost-efficient monitoring of the built cultural heritage. Such scenario may contribute to the onset of commonplace digital records of historical constructions in an open-source, versatile and reliable fashion.Peer ReviewedPostprint (author's final draft

Federated Agentless Detection of Endpoints Using Behavioral and Characteristic Modeling

During the past two decades computer networks and security have evolved that, even though we use the same TCP/IP stack, network traffic behaviors and security needs have significantly changed. To secure modern computer networks, complete and accurate data must be gathered in a structured manner pertaining to the network and endpoint behavior. Security operations teams struggle to keep up with the ever-increasing number of devices and network attacks daily. Often the security aspect of networks gets managed reactively instead of providing proactive protection. Data collected at the backbone are becoming inadequate during security incidents. Incident response teams require data that is reliably attributed to each individual endpoint over time. With the current state of dissociated data collected from networks using different tools it is challenging to correlate the necessary data to find origin and propagation of attacks within the network. Critical indicators of compromise may go undetected due to the drawbacks of current data collection systems leaving endpoints vulnerable to attacks. Proliferation of distributed organizations demand distributed federated security solutions. Without robust data collection systems that are capable of transcending architectural and computational challenges, it is becoming increasingly difficult to provide endpoint protection at scale. This research focuses on reliable agentless endpoint detection and traffic attribution in federated networks using behavioral and characteristic modeling for incident response

The impact of agricultural activities on water quality: a case for collaborative catchment-scale management using integrated wireless sensor networks

The challenge of improving water quality is a growing global concern, typified by the European Commission Water Framework Directive and the United States Clean Water Act. The main drivers of poor water quality are economics, poor water management, agricultural practices and urban development. This paper reviews the extensive role of non-point sources, in particular the outdated agricultural practices, with respect to nutrient and contaminant contributions. Water quality monitoring (WQM) is currently undertaken through a number of data acquisition methods from grab sampling to satellite based remote sensing of water bodies. Based on the surveyed sampling methods and their numerous limitations, it is proposed that wireless sensor networks (WSNs), despite their own limitations, are still very attractive and effective for real-time spatio-temporal data collection for WQM applications. WSNs have been employed for WQM of surface and ground water and catchments, and have been fundamental in advancing the knowledge of contaminants trends through their high resolution observations. However, these applications have yet to explore the implementation and impact of this technology for management and control decisions, to minimize and prevent individual stakeholder’s contributions, in an autonomous and dynamic manner. Here, the potential of WSN-controlled agricultural activities and different environmental compartments for integrated water quality management is presented and limitations of WSN in agriculture and WQM are identified. Finally, a case for collaborative networks at catchment scale is proposed for enabling cooperation among individually networked activities/stakeholders (farming activities, water bodies) for integrated water quality monitoring, control and management

Resilient networking in wireless sensor networks

This report deals with security in wireless sensor networks (WSNs), especially in network layer. Multiple secure routing protocols have been proposed in the literature. However, they often use the cryptography to secure routing functionalities. The cryptography alone is not enough to defend against multiple attacks due to the node compromise. Therefore, we need more algorithmic solutions. In this report, we focus on the behavior of routing protocols to determine which properties make them more resilient to attacks. Our aim is to find some answers to the following questions. Are there any existing protocols, not designed initially for security, but which already contain some inherently resilient properties against attacks under which some portion of the network nodes is compromised? If yes, which specific behaviors are making these protocols more resilient? We propose in this report an overview of security strategies for WSNs in general, including existing attacks and defensive measures. In this report we focus at the network layer in particular, and an analysis of the behavior of four particular routing protocols is provided to determine their inherent resiliency to insider attacks. The protocols considered are: Dynamic Source Routing (DSR), Gradient-Based Routing (GBR), Greedy Forwarding (GF) and Random Walk Routing (RWR)

Web-based monitoring of gas emissions from landfill sites using autonomous sensing platforms

Executive Summary Numerous initiatives that are policy driven by national, European and global agencies target the preservation of our environment, human society’s health and our ecology. Ireland’s EPA 2020 Vision outlines a mandate to prepare for the unavoidable impact of climate change, the reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, the control of air-emissions standards, the sustainable use of resources and the holding to account of those who flout environmental laws. These strategies are echoed in the Europe 2020: Resource-efficient Europe Flagship Initiative, which also advocates the creation of new opportunities for economic growth and greater innovation. The promotion of research and technical development is central to each of these strategies – specifically the achievement of accurate environmental monitoring technologies that will inform policy-makers and effect change. This is described in the EPA Strategic Plan 2013–2015 as the provision of ‘high quality, targeted and timely environmental data, information and assessment to inform decision making at all levels’. Specific to landfills, the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Focus on Landfilling in Ireland stipulates the management of landfill gas to eliminate environmental harm and public nuisance, to promote energy generation where possible and to avoid liabilities in site closure and aftercare. It was in this context that the EPA STRIVE programme granted funding for this research project on developing autonomous sensor platforms for the real-time monitoring of gases generated in landfill facilities. Managing landfill gas is one of the crucial operations in a landfill facility, where gases (primarily methane [CH4] and carbon dioxide [CO2] generated from the decomposition of biodegradable waste) are extracted and combusted in a flare or preferably an engine (as biogas fuel). These gases, classified as greenhouse gases (GHGs), also pose localised hazards due to fire risk and asphyxiation, and are indicative of odorous nuisance compounds. Gas-monitoring on site is conducted to (i) ensure against gas migration into the local environment and to (ii) maintain the thorough gas extraction and optimum composition for combustion. This is becoming more relevant because of the numerous landfill closures brought by Europe-wide changes in waste-management policy. Even for landfills no longer actively receiving waste, substantial gas generation remains ongoing for years and even decades. Despite diminished financial resources and reduced manpower, management of this gas must be maintained. Traditionally, monitoring involves taking manual measurements using expensive handheld equipment and requiring laborious travel over difficult and expansive terrain. Consequently, it is conducted relatively infrequently – typically once a month. These issues can be addressed by adopting distributed continuous monitoring systems. These low-cost remotely deployable sensor platforms offer a valuable complementary service to operators and the EPA. They enable easier adherence to their licence criteria, the prevention of expensive remediation measures and the potential boost in revenue from increasing energy production through the use of biogas. Challenges arise in terms of achieving a long-term monitoring performance in a harsh environment while maintaining accuracy, reliability and cost-effectiveness. To meet these challenges, this project developed cost- effective autonomous sensor platforms to allow long- term continuous monitoring of gas composition (methane and carbon dioxide) and extraction pressure. The project’s work represents one of the only developments of autonomous sensor technology in this space; the few other market alternatives tend to be expensive or difficult to implement for remotely deployable continuous monitoring. Beyond the development of a platform technology, the challenge was to apply this technology to the adverse environmental conditions. The project delivered a total of 14 autonomous sensor platforms in deployments involving Irish landfill sites, a Scottish landfill site and a Brazilian wastewater treatment plant. The analysis and interpretation of acquired data, coupled with local meteorological data and on-site operational data, provided the translation from raw environmental data to meaningful conclusions that could inform decision-making. This report presents a number of case studies to illustrate this. Characteristics of site gas dynamics could be identified; for example, it was possible to show if excessive gas concentrations in a perimeter well could be resolved by increasing the flare extraction rate for a particular well. Furthermore, the potential for quantifying methane generation potential at distributed locations within the landfill was identified in addition to diagnosing the effectiveness of the extraction network – hence aiding in field-balancing and landfill gas utilisation. The extensive wealth of data enabled by this platform technology will help better-informed decision-making and improve operational practices in managing gas emissions. In landfills, this signifies alleviating gas migration with perimeter monitoring and enhancing flare/ engine operation by evaluating gas quality at distributed locations within the gas field. While landfilling is becoming outmoded as a waste-management process, the need for continuous monitoring will be relevant for many years to come. Indeed, a number of existing facilities are considering retrofitting engines because of the significant potential for additional landfill gas utilisation being identified by Sustainable Energy Authority Ireland in 2010. Furthermore, the technology’s low-cost and autonomous nature would benefit the hundreds of historical and legacy landfills if any were deemed to be problematic in terms of their environmental impact. Beyond landfills, this work pertains to other applications within the waste sector, as demonstrated by measuring emissions from wastewater treatment plant lagoons. With some further development, this technology could apply to efforts in dealing with climate change (e.g. in evaluating GHG inventories), where applications include managed peatlands (one case study is presented in this report and future efforts could also be targeted at carbon sinks/storage) and agriculture (Ireland’s greatest contributor to GHGs). Further scope could also be pursued in air-quality monitoring, particularly relevant at present with 2013 being dubbed the ‘Year of Air’ by European leaders. Throughout this project, the commercial prospect of this technology was affirmed with positive feedback from landfill operators, environmental regulators and private consultancies. Continual technical developments and refinements in mechanical/electronic design delivered a platform with expanded functionality and reduced price-point, thus becoming more viable for scaled-up deployments and commercial feasibility. Ultimately, this innovative development shows good promise as a high-potential commercial venture, with this work continuing under Enterprise Ireland’s Commercialisation Fund