SMART ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING SYSTEMS FOR AIR AND WATER QUALITY MANAGEMENT

Abstract

Environmental pollution, particularly air and water contamination, has become a critical global challenge, necessitating the adoption of advanced monitoring and management strategies. Traditional environmental monitoring approaches often rely on periodic sampling and laboratory analysis, which are time-consuming, resource-intensive, and lack real-time insights. In response, Smart Environmental Monitoring Systems (SEMS) have emerged as an innovative solution by integrating Internet of Things (IoT) sensors, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), and Blockchain technology to enhance pollution detection, predictive modeling, and regulatory compliance. These technologies enable continuous, real-time tracking of environmental parameters, improving decision-making in pollution control and environmental sustainability efforts. This study employs a case study approach, examining three real-world implementations of SEMS: urban air quality monitoring in Beijing, China; industrial pollution monitoring in Rotterdam, Netherlands; and water quality management in the Ganges River, India. By analyzing these diverse cases, the study highlights the impact of SEMS in improving pollution forecasting, facilitating regulatory enforcement, enhancing public engagement, and mitigating environmental health risks. The findings demonstrate that SEMS significantly improve environmental governance by providing reliable, transparent, and high-resolution pollution data, leading to more informed policy interventions and sustainable urban planning. Additionally, the study identifies key challenges such as sensor interoperability, data security, cost constraints, and regulatory standardization, which need to be addressed for the broader adoption of SEMS. Overall, this study contributes to the growing body of research on technology-driven environmental management, offering insights into how smart monitoring systems can enhance global pollution control efforts and support long-term ecological sustainability.