APPLICATIONS
ONE TOOL for all
Geolux has launched its new HydroTemp digital temperature sensor for water and soil, which aims to set new standards in environmental monitoring technology.
Tracking the impact of climate change on aquatic ecosystems, improving water management in agriculture, optimizing operations in aquaculture facilities and understanding hydrological temperature dynamics all require instruments that provide accurate, high-resolution water temperature data. Geolux has recently introduced a device designed to meet these demands. The Geolux HydroTemp is a scientific-grade digital temperature sensor capable of measuring temperatures in water, liquids and soil.The HydroTemp is engineered to address many of the challenges in modern environmental monitoring, where conditions can range from extreme cold to high pressures found deep underwater. The sensor is designed for operation across a wide range of environments, including freshwater lakes, coastal estuaries, underground streams and glaciers. A key feature is its ability to integrate multiple temperature probes on a single line, like a thermistor string. There are many water and soil temperature monitoring applications well suited to the use of the HydroTemp.
​​Groundwater and aquifer monitoring
Understanding groundwater systems is vital for ensuring sustainable water management, particularly in regions prone to drought or over-extraction. Groundwater plays a key role in maintaining freshwater ecosystems and supporting agriculture, but its dynamics are often hidden beneath the surface, making it difficult to monitor. With the HydroTemp, environmental scientists can map temperature variations in aquifers, which can reveal critical information about water movement, recharge rates and the interaction between surface water and groundwater. The HydroTemp’s ability to measure temperatures at multiple depths (up to 16 sensors on a single line) and its scientific-grade absolute accuracy of 0.1°C enable researchers to create detailed temperature profiles of aquifers. These can be used to track changes over time, such as how much groundwater is being replenished by rainfall or how extraction is affecting the water table. The sensor’s robust construction, including a Kevlar-reinforced, neutral-buoyancy cable, ensures it can withstand the harsh conditions typically encountered during long-term groundwater monitoring.
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Marine and coastal ecosystem monitoring
Marine ecosystems are under increasing pressure from human activities and climate change. Coastal waters are sensitive to changes in temperature, which can affect everything from the distribution of marine species to the chemistry of the water itself. Monitoring temperature changes in these environments is crucial for assessing ecosystem health, tracking seasonal shifts and understanding how marine organisms respond to environmental stressors. Monitoring thermal stratification and thermoclines is possible with the HydroTemp in fresh water, brackish water and seawater. The device’s ability to operate at depths of up to 150m, combined with high-precision temperature readings, provides researchers with accurate data even in the most challenging environments. In estuaries, where fresh water from rivers meets salt water from the sea, temperature gradients can provide key insights into water quality and ecosystem functioning. The HydroTemp enables researchers to monitor these gradients in real time, providing valuable information for understanding nutrient cycling, fish migration patterns and the impacts of pollution. Additionally, the SDI-12 and Modbus over RS-485 interfaces ensure seamless integration with dataloggers, making it easy to incorporate the HydroTemp into existing monitoring networks.
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Agricultural water management
​In agriculture, efficient water management is vital to ensure crop health and maximize yields, particularly in areas facing water scarcity. Temperature data is one of the components of this process, as it can influence soil moisture levels and evapotranspiration rates. The Geolux HydroTemp can be used to monitor soil and water temperatures in agricultural settings. When deployed in irrigation canals, reservoirs or soil profiles, the sensor provides real-time data on how temperature affects water distribution and retention in the soil. This information can then be used to optimize irrigation schedules, ensuring that crops receive the right amount of water at the right time, which ultimately improves the efficiency of water use and increases crop yields. In addition, the HydroTemp’s durability and ability to withstand extreme conditions, such as freezing environments, make it an ideal tool for monitoring irrigation systems in regions that experience seasonal temperature fluctuations.​
​Climate-change research​
One of the most pressing challenges of our time is understanding and mitigating the effects of climate change on the natural environment. Rising global temperatures are affecting ecosystems across the planet, from the poles to the tropics. Precise temperature monitoring is crucial for tracking these changes and predicting their long-term impacts. The HydroTemp is well suited to use in long-term climate-change research projects, particularly those focused on tracking how temperature changes affect water bodies, glaciers and soil. Its high-resolution capabilities enable researchers to detect subtle temperature shifts that may indicate broader environmental changes, such as alterations in seasonal patterns or the onset of extreme weather events. For example, in alpine or polar regions, the HydroTemp can be used to monitor permafrost temperatures and the rate of thawing. In coastal environments, it can track the warming of sea surface temperatures, which can lead to coral bleaching and shifts in marine biodiversity. The sensor’s ability to function in freezing conditions makes it particularly valuable in extreme environments where other sensors might fail.
​Precision, durability and flexibility
What makes the Geolux HydroTemp a truly innovative solution is its combination of precision, durability and flexibility. Its accuracy ensures that even the smallest temperature variations are captured, while its robust design enables it to function in harsh environments, from the depths of the ocean to freezing mountain streams. With customizable sensor spacing and a total string length of up to 150m, the HydroTemp can be tailored to fit the needs of any project. HydroTemp’s compatibility with SDI-12 and RS-485 Modbus interfaces means it can be easily integrated into any monitoring network, whether for short-term studies or long-term environmental research. This flexibility, combined with its high performance, makes the HydroTemp an indispensable tool for environmental monitoring across a wide range of applications. With understanding of our planet’s complex systems becoming increasingly important, the Geolux HydroTemp is helping researchers and professionals gather the data they need to make informed, impactful decisions. Whether it’s tracking the health of freshwater ecosystems, managing agricultural water use or monitoring the effects of climate change, the HydroTemp is setting a new standard for environmental monitoring technology.
