Algal Bloom Response: Detection, Treatment, and Decision Support Systems

Webcast

Harmful algal blooms (HABs) are a growing concern for communities across the globe as they damage aquatic ecosystems, threaten water supplies via cyanotoxins, impose economic costs, and  increase in frequency and intensity due to climate change. This webcast will look at different technological solutions to combat HABs. Presenters will touch on technologies found in WRF TechLink as well as one under investigation in an ongoing WRF project.



WRF Project

Development of the Autonomous Real-Time Microbial Scope (ARTiMiS) (5154) 

Ameet Pinto, Carlton S. Wilder Associate Professor, Georgia Institute of Technology

The project seeks to develop the Autonomous Real-Time Microbial Scope (ARTiMiS) device for in situ and low-cost monitoring of HABs through (1) the development of a training dataset for algal species of relevance; (2) optimization of machine learning approaches to identify and quantify algal species; and (3) field testing of ARTiMiS at the pilot plant. The system will be deployed for monitoring HABs in the Detroit River.



WRF TechLink

MPC-Buoy  – LG Sonic 

Kole Peterson, US West Sales Manager, LG Sonic: MPC-Buoy

The MPC-Buoy system controls algae in large water surfaces by using real-time water quality monitoring and remote sensing to analyze current algae and to predict algal blooms. The technology is based on ultrasound, which can effectively control algae by using specific frequencies and amplitudes, and is environmentally friendly and safe for fish, plants, and zooplankton.

CyanoLakes – CyanoLakes

Mark Matthews, Founder & CEO, CyanoLakes: CyanoLakes

The CyanoLakes online application helps water authorities and utilities enhance their cyanobacteria and cyanotoxin management and emergency response plans with satellite remote sensing.

2nd Generation ATP – LuminUltra Technologies Ltd.

Jeremy Duguay, Application Scientist, LuminUltra Technologies

Quantifying adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the primary energy carrier for all forms of life, provides a direct measure of a sample’s biological content. LuminUltra’s 2nd Generation ATP testing platform is easy to use and can provide an active biomass concentration in mg/L to achieve superior bioreactor control. It has been tested for indirect monitoring of HABs.

Moderators: 

David Morroni, Innovation Program Coordinator

Sydney Samples, Innovation Program Manager

The Water Research Foundation