Systems and methods for the measurement of contaminants in water

An autonomous watercraft for analyzing a body of water used for hydraulic fracturing comprising:

• a hull configured to support the autonomous watercraft in water such that the autonomous watercraft floats on the surface of the body of water;
• a propulsion system coupled to the hull, wherein the propulsion system is configured to propel and direct the autonomous watercraft in the body of water;
• a water sensor system comprising one or more water sensors submersible in the body of water, wherein one or more of the water sensors are capable of determining the presence of hydrocarbons and/or sulfides in the body of water;
• a deployment system capable of deploying the water sensor system into the body of water, wherein the deployment system is configured to vary the depth of the water sensor system in the body of water;
• an air sensor system comprising one or more air sensors for detecting volatile organic compounds and/or toxic inorganic gases in the air surrounding the autonomous watercraft;
• a wireless communication system;
• and
• a processor operably coupled to the deployment system, the propulsion system, and the wireless communication system, wherein the processor is configured to execute non-transitory program instructions, wherein the program instructions are operable to:
• automatically deploy the water sensor system into the water at a predetermined depth and a predetermined location;
• automatically operate the air sensor system;
• automatically propel the autonomous watercraft along a predetermined route within the body of water, wherein the processor is operable to alter the predetermined route based on learning of anomalous reading, and/or instructions received via the wireless communication system;
• and
• automatically collect data from the water sensor system and/or the air sensor system and transmit the collected data to a location remote from the autonomous watercraft.