A group of consultants is working to higher perceive the unfold of blue-green algae in Alberta lakes by combining satellite tv for pc expertise with near-simultaneous water sampling.
The undertaking, funded via Alberta Innovates, is a collaboration between a number of teams, together with Alberta Lake Administration Society (ALMS), the Alberta Biodiversity Monitoring Institute (ABMI), and researcher Rolf Vinebrooke from the College of Alberta.
Six Alberta lakes are being monitored for the undertaking — Pigeon Lake, Sylvan Lake, Wabamun Lake, Nakamun Lake, Ethel Lake and Lac la Biche — although there’s hope that the information may help create a mannequin or algorithm that may be utilized to different lakes.
When a satellite tv for pc passes over the lake, water samples are collected on the similar time to offer a clearer image of the algae content material.
In contrast to earlier strategies of water sampling, which aren’t all the time processed in a well timed method, satellite tv for pc imagery may help present a greater total image of what’s occurring in a lake.
“Blue-green algal blooms could be very, very dynamic,” stated Vinebrooke, a professor within the U of A’s division of organic sciences.
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“They are often there in the future and gone the following … satellite tv for pc imagery knowledge, as soon as we’ve received a floor reality and the algorithms constructed, can present close to real-time estimates of how dangerous the blooms are on quite a lot of totally different lakes.”
Blue-green algae, or cyanobacteria, can type on slow-moving or stagnant water. The blooms can produce toxins which might be dangerous to people, pets and wildlife. The expansion of the algae could be pushed by water wealthy in nitrogen and phosphorus.
There are at the moment dozens of cyanobacteria warnings issued by Alberta Well being Providers for lakes within the province.
The researchers consider the knowledge they collect might be necessary for lake administration associations to get a greater understanding of what’s happening, and use that perception for phosphorus administration applications to assist cut back the blooms.
Vinebrooke stated that after scientists have sufficient knowledge, they can return and evaluate the earlier satellite tv for pc photographs and have a extra full understanding of what the blooms within the lake and have the ability to monitor developments.
“There’s a long-standing query, I believe, within the minds of lots of people in Alberta and throughout North America, and that’s whether or not or not these dangerous algal blooms are rising in frequency,” he stated. “Or is it simply that they seem like, as a result of persons are way more environmentally conscious usually, as a public?
“This lets you reply that query quantitatively.”
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Clear image
Fiona Gregory from ABMI stated it’s been tough for researchers to trace developments attributable to an absence of steady knowledge.
Gregory is the lead of the earth commentary evaluation a part of the undertaking. She takes the outcomes from the lake sampling program and compares them with the satellite tv for pc imagery, understanding what the connection is after which making use of the mannequin to satellite tv for pc imagery.
“At greatest the sampling is just like a snapshot in time,” Gregory stated. “It may well solely be accomplished, perhaps a number of occasions a yr, however with the satellite tv for pc modelling, we hope to see what’s happening virtually on a regular basis all through the season.”
Sentinel-2 satellite tv for pc
Whereas the initiative could seem simple, there are some logistical challenges.
The satellite tv for pc used for the undertaking doesn’t cross over Alberta day-after-day, so researchers and volunteers have a comparatively slender window to seize the information.
“The satellite tv for pc that we’re utilizing is known as the Sentinel-2 satellite tv for pc, and this passes over about each 5 days,” stated Bradley Peter, government director of ALMS.
“And so we’re timing our sampling of the lake and that’s usually with volunteers, companions who’re driving the boat. We’re co-ordinating all of these schedules to be on the lake.”
Peter famous the sampling needs to be accomplished on a transparent day, with out too many clouds or smoke to muddle the pictures.
Ultimately, the information might be obtainable via a web based mapping software. The general public will have the ability to entry the knowledge for the six lakes, and probably different lakes in Alberta, and get correct details about the algae blooms.
The undertaking makes use of Google Earth Engine, which permits the researchers to entry and course of giant quantities of satellite tv for pc imagery at scale.
The initiative comes after the success of the same pilot undertaking that began in 2019 that monitored Pigeon Lake, which has its knowledge already obtainable on-line. The map reveals the focus of chlorophyll-a, which is present in algae.
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Warnings about algal blooms
AHS advises that folks and pets ought to keep away from all contact with water the place a blue-green algae advisory is in place. Cyanobacteria could make individuals sick, and could be deadly to pets.
Those that come in touch or ingest blue-green algae can expertise pores and skin irritation, sore throat, swollen lips, fever, nausea, vomiting or diarrhea.
As of Aug. 25, AHS has advisories in place for the next lakes:
- Pigeon Lake.
- Haunted Lake.
- Wizard Lake.
- Alix Lake.
- Buck Lake.
- Moonshine Lake.
- Bonnie Lake.
- Winagami Lake.
- Crow Lake.
- Wabamun Lake.
- Matchayaw (Satan’s) Lake.
- Fork Lake.
- Garner Lake.
- Floatingstone Lake.
- Wapasu Lake.
- Goose Lake.
- Hastings Lake.
- Kehewin Lake.
- Elinor Lake.
- Reesor Lake.
- Nakamun Lake.
- Sturgeon Lake.
- Hutch Lake.
- Vermilion Lake.
- Stoney Lake.
- Eagle Lake.
- Sq. Lake.
- Lac Ste. Anne.
- Thunder Lake.
- Astotin Lake.
- Little Fish Lake.
- Severn Dam Reservoir.
- Lac la Biche.
- Isle Lake.
- Enchant Municipal Park.
- Decrease Therien Lake.
- Gregoire Lake.
- Twin Valley Reservoir.
- Lessard Lake.
- Steele Lake.
- Skeleton Lake.
- Baptiste Lake.
- Pine Lake.
- Moose Lake.
- Muriel Lake.