INSTRUMENTATION
INSTRUMENTATION
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The choice of instrumentation for a meteorological station dedicated to monitoring the underground climate is of fundamental importance.
The choice of instrumentation for a meteorological station dedicated to monitoring the underground climate is of fundamental importance.
Today the market offers a wide range of sensors equipped with digital dataloggers, with costs ranging from a few tens to a few hundred euros. In the speleological field, low-cost dataloggers have recently become widespread, mainly used to monitor air temperature near cave entrances characterised by strong air circulation. These dataloggers are not suitable for the primary objectives of this project, but they can be useful for monitoring external meteorological conditions or as additional sensors.
Today the market offers a wide range of sensors equipped with digital dataloggers, with costs ranging from a few tens to a few hundred euros. In the speleological field, low-cost dataloggers have recently become widespread, mainly used to monitor air temperature near cave entrances characterised by strong air circulation. These dataloggers are not suitable for the primary objectives of this project, but they can be useful for monitoring external meteorological conditions or as additional sensors.
They typically include an internal temperature sensor with a resolution of 0.1 °C and an accuracy of ±0.5 °C. These specifications are generally adequate for monitoring external temperature variations, which often span several tens of degrees. It may also be useful to monitor atmospheric pressure outside the cave. Sensors with these characteristics can help integrate the internal monitoring network, for example by measuring temperature in the entrance zone, especially if they also record relative humidity. This second parameter can, in some cases, help determine whether airflow is directed from inside to outside or vice versa.
They typically include an internal temperature sensor with a resolution of 0.1 °C and an accuracy of ±0.5 °C. These specifications are generally adequate for monitoring external temperature variations, which often span several tens of degrees. It may also be useful to monitor atmospheric pressure outside the cave. Sensors with these characteristics can help integrate the internal monitoring network, for example by measuring temperature in the entrance zone, especially if they also record relative humidity. This second parameter can, in some cases, help determine whether airflow is directed from inside to outside or vice versa.
For stations specifically dedicated to the UCC project, instruments with cable-mounted sensors and higher precision are required. Since temperature variations often fall within a few tenths of a degree, sensors with a resolution of 0.01 °C (or slightly higher) and an accuracy within 0.1–0.2 °C are needed.
For stations specifically dedicated to the UCC project, instruments with cable-mounted sensors and higher precision are required. Since temperature variations often fall within a few tenths of a degree, sensors with a resolution of 0.01 °C (or slightly higher) and an accuracy within 0.1–0.2 °C are needed.
HOBO temperature acquisition device
Dataloggers meeting these specifications are available at a cost of a few hundred euros. They are often equipped with two independent external probes, allowing simultaneous measurement of two media. A two-channel datalogger can therefore be used, for example, to measure water and rock temperature, while a single-channel unit can be dedicated to air. Alternatively, with a slightly greater investment, two-channel dataloggers can be installed, using the fourth sensor for an additional measurement of either rock or air.
Dataloggers meeting these specifications are available at a cost of a few hundred euros. They are often equipped with two independent external probes, allowing simultaneous measurement of two media. A two-channel datalogger can therefore be used, for example, to measure water and rock temperature, while a single-channel unit can be dedicated to air. Alternatively, with a slightly greater investment, two-channel dataloggers can be installed, using the fourth sensor for an additional measurement of either rock or air.
In the speleological field, the most commonly used dataloggers are currently the Tinytag TGP-4520 and the Hobo MX2205. The former is equipped with two cable-mounted probes, available in 3- or 5-metre lengths. The latter has a single external probe with a 2-metre cable, as well as an internal sensor that is not fully suitable for the purposes of this project. The Hobo’s advantages include water resistance and Bluetooth connectivity, which eliminates the need for connection cables and allows operation via smartphone.
In the speleological field, the most commonly used dataloggers are currently the Tinytag TGP-4520 and the Hobo MX2205. The former is equipped with two cable-mounted probes, available in 3- or 5-metre lengths. The latter has a single external probe with a 2-metre cable, as well as an internal sensor that is not fully suitable for the purposes of this project. The Hobo’s advantages include water resistance and Bluetooth connectivity, which eliminates the need for connection cables and allows operation via smartphone.
Tinytag temperature acquisition device
The Tinytag, which has slightly lower accuracy than the Hobo MX2205, requires a cable connection to a laptop or tablet with the interface software installed. Although it provides two probes, it is overall more expensive to operate than the Hobo.
The Tinytag, which has slightly lower accuracy than the Hobo MX2205, requires a cable connection to a laptop or tablet with the interface software installed. Although it provides two probes, it is overall more expensive to operate than the Hobo.
All sensors, whether low-cost or high-precision, come with dedicated software for configuration and data download. For the purposes of this study, which does not aim to investigate rapidly changing phenomena, a recording interval of 30 minutes is more than sufficient, provided that logging always begins at a fixed time (for example 00:00 or 12:00) so that all measurements remain synchronised. Data can generally be saved not only in proprietary format but also in CSV (comma-separated values) or TXT format, allowing subsequent analysis with standard data-processing software.
All sensors, whether low-cost or high-precision, come with dedicated software for configuration and data download. For the purposes of this study, which does not aim to investigate rapidly changing phenomena, a recording interval of 30 minutes is more than sufficient, provided that logging always begins at a fixed time (for example 00:00 or 12:00) so that all measurements remain synchronised. Data can generally be saved not only in proprietary format but also in CSV (comma-separated values) or TXT format, allowing subsequent analysis with standard data-processing software.
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