Li, B.; Chen, W.; Liu, J.; Li, J.; Wang, S., and Xing, H., 2020. Construction and application of nearshore hydrodynamic monitoring system for uninhabited islands. In: Zheng, C.W.; Wang, Q.; Zhan, C., and Yang, S.B. (eds.), Air-Sea Interaction and Coastal Environments of the Maritime and Polar Silk Roads. Journal of Coastal Research, Special Issue No. 99, pp. 131–136. Coconut Creek (Florida), ISSN 0749-0208.

Real-time nearshore hydrodynamic information is important for the coastal engineering, resource development and environmental monitoring of remote undeveloped islands. This paper presents a nearshore hydrodynamic monitoring system applicable for uninhabited islands facing harsh natural conditions and unpredictable risks. The system integrates different functional units, such as an underwater observation unit, an island-based relay unit and a data receiving unit. The system is powered by solar energy. It measures and sends back hydrodynamic data in real-time. The system was deployed at the northeast shore of Dongluo Island in the northwestern South China Sea and has been in operation for more than nine months. The system has run stably with a high data receiving rate of 98%. Moreover, the obtained data are consistent with the basic hydrological characteristics of the region, which confirms the ability of the system to acquire hydrological data. The results show that the system has good potential in applications of future constructions and developments in remote islands.