Satellite monitoring of cyanobacterial harmful algal bloom frequency in recreational waters and drinking water sources

What is it about?

The authors present methods to quantify the frequency and extent of cyanobacterial harmful algal bloom (cyanoHAB) occurrence using historical archives of the MEdium Resolution Imaging Spectrometer (MERIS) sensor on the European Space Agency’s (ESA) Envisat satellite from 2008-2011. Western Lake Erie, Grand Lake St. Marys, and Lake Okeechobee public water system intakes were ranked in the upper quartile of cyanoHAB frequency of occurrence. Florida cyanoHAB extent increased, California had a slight decrease in extent, and Ohio experienced small increases in extent from 2008-2011. These methods can be directly transferred to the ESA’s new Ocean and Land Colour Imager (OLCI) on the Sentinel-3 satellite launched in 2016 for future cyanoHAB annual reporting.

Featured Image

Why is it important?

CyanoHABs cause extensive problems in lakes worldwide, including human and ecological health risks, anoxia and fish kills, and taste and odor problems. They are a particular concern in both recreational waters and drinking source waters because of their dense biomass and the risk of exposure to toxins. Successful cyanoHAB assessment using satellites may provide a first line-of-defense indicator for human and ecological health protection. These methods will assist in prioritizing the degree of potential exposure risk to cyanobacteria. These studies are the first of its kind to use satellite remote sensing to quantify cyanoHAB extent trends and frequency of occurrence in inland across multiple water bodies for entire US states.