Multi-criteria assessment of wireless communication options for subaquatic pollution detection

Effective underwater pollution monitoring depends on reliable wireless communication technologies capable of transmitting data in challenging aquatic environments. This study evaluates three communication technologies, acoustic, optical, and radio frequency (RF), using input from 35 experts across five criteria: data rate, power efficiency, range, cost, and environmental impact. Results show that acoustic communication is the top choice, excelling in range and energy efficiency. RF ranks second for its balanced performance and cost-effectiveness, while optical communication scores lowest due to limited range and adaptability. The study highlights the usefulness of multi-criteria decision-making for selecting technologies for marine environmental monitoring, while noting limitations, such as subjective inputs and context-specific findings.