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Lake Superior State University will take on the task of monitoring oil pollution in the Upper Great Lakes.
The university has begun a pilot program by placing three sensors in the Saint Mary’s River, and an additional monitor off Sugar Island.
The sensors measure refined oil in the water, and transmit the readings to a cloud server so that data are available in real-time.
LSSU President Rodney S. Hanley hopes the sensors can facilitate quick responses to limit the effect of oil spills. If the pilot program is successful, it could be expanded to other Upper Great lakes shorelines.
The potential for dangerous spills was evident June 9th, when 5,300 gallons of oil leaked into the Saint Mary’s River from the Algoma Steel Mill in Canada. The Soo Locks were closed for several hours, and the Coast Guard allowed the sheen to dissipate naturally.
