Autonomous and remote-controlled multi-parametric buoy for multi-depth water sampling, monitoring, data collection, transmission, and analysis

1. An apparatus for water sampling and analysis, said apparatus comprising:

(a) a device for water sampling at one or more of depths comprising a hosepipe and one or more internal independent pipes with one or more sampling inlets at one or more water depths, and

(b) a pumping system to pump a sample of water collected using said device for water sampling at one or more depths to an isolated module for analysis; and

(c) a system for remote maintenance comprising a plurality of antifouling coatings and a self-cleaning system.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said pumping system is a mechanic pumping system.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said pumping system is a hydrostatic pumping system.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said pumping system is a pneumatic pumping system.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said isolated module comprises a plurality of analysis sensors protected from environmental agents.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said system for remote maintenance comprising a plurality of antifouling coatings and a self-cleaning system, further comprises a control module.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 , wherein said system for remote maintenance further comprises a self-calibration system.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 , wherein said system for remote maintenance comprises a plurality of self-cleaning containers including a plurality of cleaning liquids, fresh water, additives, calibration liquids, and a control module.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein said control module in said system for remote maintenance performs self-cleaning and self-calibration based on:

(a) a pre-programmed temporal schedule for maintenance;

(b) an on-demand remote request; and

(c) a function of the number of calibration cycles as a function of 1) time, 2) number of readings, and 3) available cleaning liquids, power, and meteorological conditions.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 , further comprising a system for collecting, analyzing, storing, and transmitting monitoring data at pre-programmed time intervals or on-demand by means of two-way communications and remote control.

11. The apparatus of claim 10 , further comprising a plurality of renewable energy sources.

12. The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein said renewable energy sources comprise a photovoltaic module, a wind module, and a wave module.

13. A buoy for water sampling and analysis, said buoy comprising:

(a) a device for water sampling at a plurality of depths comprising a hosepipe and a plurality of internal independent pipes with a plurality of sampling inlets at a plurality of water depths;

(b) a pumping system to pump a sample of water collected using said device for water sampling at a plurality of depths to an isolated module for analysis;

(c) a system for remote maintenance comprising a 1) plurality of antifouling coatings, 2) a self-cleaning system, and 3) a self-calibration system;

(d) a system for collecting, analyzing, storing, and transmitting monitoring data at pre-programmed time intervals or on-demand by means of two-way communications and remote control; and

(e) a plurality of renewable energy sources.

14. The buoy of claim 13 , wherein said pumping system is chosen from the group consisting of mechanic pumping systems, hydrostatic pumping systems, and pneumatic pumping systems.

15. The buoy of claim 13 , wherein said system for remote maintenance comprises a plurality of self-cleaning containers including a plurality of cleaning liquids, fresh water, additives, calibration liquids, and a control module.

16. The buoy of claim 13 , wherein said control module in said system for remote maintenance performs self-cleaning and self-calibration based on:

(a) a pre-programmed temporal schedule for maintenance;

(b) an on-demand remote request; and

(c) a function of the number of calibration cycles as a function of 1) time, 2) number of readings, and 3) available cleaning liquids, power, and meteorological conditions.

17. The buoy of claim 13 , said renewable energy sources comprise a photovoltaic module, a wind module, and a wave module.