smart sensors and the environment
Glossary
acidification. The lowering of the pH of oceans due to increasing levels of carbon dioxide. Ocean acidification affects certain types of microscopic algae (phytoplankton), corals and other marine organisms with calcium carbonate skeletal structures.
coral bleaching. Loss of colour of corals due to an environmental stress such as increased water temperature, pollution or sedimentation. Environmental stress can cause corals to expel microscopic algae from their tissues. These symbiotic algae provide up to 90 per cent of the coral’s energy needs. Loss of these algae results in the bleached appearance of corals as they provide most of the coral’s colour. Bleached corals often starve then die if the stress persists.
coral disease. Coral diseases can have a range of causes including bacteria, fungi and algae. Coral disease has had a significant effect on reefs in the Caribbean and the incidence in some areas of the Great Barrier Reef has increased in recent years. The coral disease White Syndrome has been linked to increasing sea temperatures on the Great Barrier Reef.
intelligent sensor. A sensor that has an inbuilt ability to sense information (eg, light, temperature, salinity), process the information and send selected information to an external receiver (including to other sensors). Also called a smart sensor, mote or smart dust. Intelligent sensors are able to detect particular conditions such as abnormal temperature and react according to programmed instructions (eg, by increasing the sampling rate).
microserver. A self-contained computer system that can be integrated into a remote network with limited support. A micro-server can receive, process and forward information (eg, from sensor nodes).
nano-engineered. Constructed at the atomic or molecular level, generally at 100 nanometres or smaller. One nanometre is equal to one-billionth of a metre.
node. In computing a node is a network junction or connection point. In intelligent sensor networks each sensor can therefore be considered as a node in the network.
smart sensor. A sensor that has an inbuilt ability to sense information (eg, light, temperature, salinity), process the information and send selected information to an external receiver (including to other sensors). Also called an intelligent sensor, mote or smart dust. Smart sensors are able to detect particular conditions such as abnormal temperature and react according to programmed instructions (eg, by increasing the sampling rate).
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Posted December 2008.