Algal blooms are a worldwide environmental problem causing human and animal health risks, killing fish and affecting taste and odor in drinking water. In the United States, the cost of freshwater ruined by algal blooms is $64 million every year. In August 2014, officials in Toledo, Ohio, banned the use of drinking water by 400,000 residents after the water was contaminated by an algal bloom in Lake Erie.
The new $3.6 million effort will use ocean color satellite data for early warnings of toxic and nuisance algal blooms in freshwater and an information distribution system for speedy public health advisories.
"The vantage point of space not only contributes to a better understanding of our home planet, it helps improve lives around the world," said NASA Administrator Charles Bolden, according to a press release from NASA. "We're excited to be putting NASA's expertise in space and scientific exploration to work protecting public health and safety."
"Observations from space-based instruments are an ideal way to tackle this type of public health hazard because of their global coverage and ability to provide detailed information on material in the water, including algal blooms," said Paula Bontempi of the Earth Science Division at NASA Headquarters in Washington, D.C., according to the press release.
"Observing harmful algae is critical to understanding, managing, and forecasting these blooms," said Holly Bamford, acting NOAA assistant secretary for conservation and management and deputy administrator in Washington, D.C., according to the press release. "This collaboration will assure that NOAA's efforts will assist the coastal and inland public health officials and managers across the country to distribute this information to the community in an easily understandable fashion, making them more resilient to environmental events."
Some species of algae called cyanobacteria produce toxins that can kill wildlife and cause illness in humans through contaminated drinking water, fish or shellfish. Cyanobacteria blooms are a particular concern because of their dense biomass, toxins, taste and odor.
"EPA researchers are developing important scientific tools to help local communities respond quickly and efficiently to real-time water quality issues and protect drinking water for their residents," said EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy, according to the press release. "Working with other federal agencies, we are leveraging our scientific expertise, technology and data to create a mobile app to help water quality managers make important decisions to reduce negative impacts related to harmful algal blooms, which have been increasingly affecting our water bodies due to climate change."
Researchers will compare the new freshwater algal blooms data with satellite records of land cover changes over time to identify specific land-use activities that may have caused environmental changes linked to the frequency and intensity of blooms. The results will help to develop better forecasts of bloom events.
