Patent ID: 7141815

Claim:
A system for monitoring and alerting to change in media situated in an unenclosed natural environment adjacent a part of said system, comprising: at least one array of parallel optical fibers, each said fiber of a different length one from the other and each said fiber incorporating an approximately right angle bend at its terminus in said media, said array affixed to an external surface of a support immersed in water and sediment in said unenclosed natural environment, said support having a length, width and depth, wherein said array communicates a pre-specified level of detail as data regarding said change, said level of detail permitting determination of at least the relative level of said water and said sediment about said support; at least one source of optical signals in operable communication with each said optical fiber at least during a portion of operation of said system; at least one optical coupler in operable communication with each of said optical fibers; and at least one sub-system in operable communication with each said optical fiber at least during a portion of operation of said system, wherein said data are processed by said sub-system to provide measurement of and alerting to said change, and wherein said change may be recorded and displayed via said sub-system.