Soda Bottle Science—Citizen Science Monsoon Precipitation Monitoring in Nepal

摘要: Citizen science, as a compliment to ground-based and remotely-sensed precipitation measurements, is promising approach for improving observations. During the 2018 monsoon (May September), SmartPhones4Water (S4W) Nepal - young researcher-led water monitoring network partnered with 154 citizen scientists generate 6,656 measurements in low-cost (< 1 USD) S4W gauges constructed from repurposed soda bottles, concrete, rulers. Measurements were recorded Android-based smartphones using Open Data Kit Collect included GPS-generated coordinates, observation date time, photographs, observer-reported readings. A year-long gauge intercomparison revealed -2.9 % error compared standard 203 mm (8-inch) used by Department of Hydrology Meteorology (DHM), Nepal. We analyzed three sources errors: evaporation, concrete soaking, condensation, which 0.5 day-1 (n = 33), 0.8 99), 0.3 49), respectively. recruited leveraging personal relationships, outreach programs at schools/colleges, social media, random site visits. motivated ongoing participation follow-ups via SMS, phone, visit; bulk SMS; educational workshops; opportunities use data; lucky draws; certificates involvement; certain cases, payment. The average scientist took 42 (min 1, max 148, stdev 39). Paid 37) significantly more per week (i.e. 54) than volunteers 39; alpha level 0.01). By comparing actual values (determined photographs) science observations, we identified categories observational errors 592; 9 total measurements): unit 50; 8 errors; readings centimeters instead millimeters); meniscus 346; 58 capillary rise), unknown 196; 33 errors). cost analysis that could be performed little 0.07 0.30 USD paid scientists, Our results confirm can help fill data gaps other scarce regions.