In this work, we propose a novel methodology in order to automatically optimize the location of the sampling points for a water quality monitoring network in an estuary, in such a way that any unknown pollution source can be identified (both in intensity and location) from the data supplied by those sampling points. In the central part of the article, after a rigorous mathematical formulation of the environmental problem, the full details of its numerical implementation are given. Finally, we present and analyze the results when applying the above proposed technique to study a real case in Ría of Vigo (northwestern Spain).Agencia Estatal de Investigación | Ref. TED2021-129324B-I00Universidade de Vigo/CISU
