The pHyter and Other Oceanographic Tools for Citizen Science and STEM

The pHyter is a handheld device that accurately measures pH using colorimetry, communicating with a cellphone via Bluetooth Low Energy. The app records location, time, temperature, pH and meta-data. In Phase I, we redesigned the instrument using an ‘internet of things’ development platform, modified the app to operate on both Android and iOS phones, and showed, through a network of partners, that it is an excellent tool for coastal pH measurements, education, and citizen science. With this technology, we have the basis to develop inexpensive instrumentation for citizen scientists and students to measure other important water quality parameters, such as total alkalinity (TA), fluorescent dissolved organic matter (FDOM), the partial pressure of CO2 (pCO2), and the differential pressure of CO2 in air/water (DCO2). With Phase II funding we will develop inexpensive TA, FDOM, pCO2, and DCO2 measurement systems, and a ‘pHyterPro’ (higher accuracy pHyter), while working closely with educators to facilitate curriculum development. Additionally, we will develop a web portal for access, storage, and visualization of the data from the devices. Following NOAA objectives, we will strive to make these data sets “…accessible, usable, understandable, and relatable to students, citizen scientists, and the public,” by responding to user feedback.