Libelium One monitors diverse environmental conditions of the largest fluvial Aquarium in Europe

Libelium One monitoring environmental conditions of five different ecosystems of the largest fluvial aquarium in Europe

Libelium has been collaborating with the Aquarium of Zaragoza for almost 10 years, using this space as a testbed where the solutions can be tested, improved and calibrated.

For this reason, the Aquarium was the chosen place to test One. The various ecosystems recreated in the Aquarium were the best testbed option.

They needed to measure and monitor the parameters of the tanks and Libelium needed to test One in the most varied conditions possible.

» The challenge we face with IoT technology

To monitor the diverse environmental conditions of the largest fluvial Aquarium in Europe, guaranteeing that all the species would feel at home.

» The end-to-end IoT solution

Easy to set up and flexible Libelium One, to measure environmental parameters, water quality, and ground conditions to maximize the quality of life of the different animals in the Aquarium.

Behind the change

The Aquarium of Zaragoza is Europe’s most important fluvial aquarium, integrating different river ecosystems worldwide. There are more than 5000 animals of more than 350 species from the 5 ecosystems represented:

• The Nile River in Africa is the longest river on our planet (6,695 km long) and more than 30% of its course is through arid lands. The basin of this large river is rich in biodiversity, including 137 species of amphibians, and 129 species of fish, 26 of which are found only in this river. This African river is very sensitive to climate change, with rising temperatures.
• The Mekong River, the largest river in Southeast Asia (4,600 km), is the tenth largest in the world by volume. It is the second most fish-diverse river (an estimated 1200-1700 species, 62 of which are endemic to this river) after the Amazon River. According to WWF the Mekong River is among the 10 most endangered rivers in the world.
• The Amazonas in America, with a length of 6,400 km, is the second longest and most abundant river in the world. The Amazon is the most biodiverse place on the planet, with millions of described insect species, 3,000 species of fish (10 times more than all European rivers combined), 2,000 species of mammals and birds, and more than 10,000 species of plants.
• Darling Murray in Australia: The Darling-Murray River is the most important river system in Australia, the Murray is 2,500 km long and the Darling is 2,739 km long. It is characterized by few tributaries, low rainfall, and high evaporation (the last 500 km of the river system are very arid). Its waters are used for agriculture and to supply the population. 72% of Australia’s irrigation is concentrated in this river system.
• Spanish river Ebro: The Ebro River Delta is a natural area of great biological wealth, with a surface area of more than 7,736 hectares, it is the most important aquatic habitat in the western Mediterranean, after the Camargue (French Regional Park), and the second most important in Spain, the Doñana National Park. In recent decades, the water quality of this river has deteriorated due to direct pollution from discharges, or diffuse pollution caused by the washing of salts, fertilizers, and agricultural pesticides.

In each one of these places the environmental conditions are very different from one another, hence the Aquarium labor was to replicate the different ecosystems in the different tanks where the distinct species inhabit. Thus, the device needed to measure the different parameters should be ready for the various weather/environmental conditions of each place.

Beyond the challenge

Among the exotic species that coexist in the Aquarium of Zaragoza are fish and amphibians, but also reptiles, such as the Nile crocodile or the Amazon anaconda, and mammals, such as the otters of the Ebro River or the Amazon marmosets.

With this variety of ecosystems, measuring environmental parameters becomes more complicated. The aquarium needs to measure aspects of water quality such as pH, conductivity or ORP, environmental parameters such as luminosity, temperature and humidity, and soil parameters to preserve the vegetation of each of the rivers in the Aquarium.

One allows any sensor to be easily integrated, regardless of the protocol used. “We needed a solution that was easy to configure and that would allow us to monitor different aspects such as the pH level of the water, the ambient temperature or the humidity of the soil,” says Javier González, director of the Aquarium.

Plus, is a plug-and-play device requiring no programming. This is of great value to the Aquarium as the employees are biologists, not technologists. One automatically detects the probe regardless of the socket in which it is placed and sends the data to Libelium Cloud via 4G. Then, you can visualize the gathered data, receive notifications, and alerts and manage all your devices remotely.

Libelium One, the new IoT device with a sustainable design

Furthermore, it could not be a device that fights climate change if the design itself was not sustainable. With One, Libelium has put eco-design at the core of everything, achieving a device that meets the 5 Rs:

• Reduce: consumption, carbon footprint, and size.
• Reuse: same sensors for multiple projects
• Repair (capable) and Refurbish (capable)
• Recycle: eco-efficient polycarbonate manufacture

If Libelium One can monitor the environmental conditions of five different ecosystems of the largest fluvial aquarium in Europe, imagine what we can do to overcome any environmental challenge.

In an increasingly connected world, our Internet of Things (IoT) technology is being used to create transformational change across cities. AWS’s scalable and secure infrastructure, combined with our cutting-edge IoT solutions, has empowered city administrators to improve infrastructure, enhance public services, and promote sustainable practices. Libelium’s partnership with Amazon Web Services (AWS) enables cities to unlock the transformative power of the Internet of Things (IoT) and redefine what’s possible in urban living.

Other Environmental IoT live projects:

• Environmental monitoring in the construction of a highway with Libelium
• Libelium participates in an ambitious air quality IoT project for the port of Genoa, Italy
• Libelium takes care of the rivers’ health with IoT water technology
• IoT technology to track, forecast and reduce pollution in European cities
• Preventing asthma attacks in children with a sensor network that monitors air quality conditions in play areas
• Libelium helps to reduce noise pollution in the city of Cuenca (Ecuador)