Patent ID: 8462343

Claim:
A wireless sensor system for monitoring at least one environmental parameter of a body of water, comprising: a base station; and at least one buoyant sensor node in wireless communication with the base station, wherein the at least one buoyant sensor node comprises, at least one optical sensor for monitoring the at least one environmental parameter of the body of water, wherein the at least one optical sensor comprises at least one optical environmental parameter sensor and at least one light source for generating light that interacts with the at least one optical environmental parameter sensor, and a watertight and buoyant enclosure, adapted to float on the body of water, for housing the at least one light source and other electronics associated with the at least one optical sensor, wherein the at least one optical environmental parameter sensor is positioned on an outside surface of the watertight and buoyant enclosure such that it is submerged when the watertight and buoyant enclosure is floating on the body of water.