NASA Helping to Monitor Freshwater Against Algal Blooms

While South Africa’s problem with blue-green algae in its freshwater has just been highlighted via a recent research study that has highlighted the extent of the problem, it is not the only country in the world to have this problem.

Harmful freshwater algal blooms are a global environmental problem because they kill fish, cause problems in both humans and animals and degrade the taste and odour in drinking water.

NASA Helping to Monitor Freshwater Against Algal Blooms

NASA has joined forces with the U.S. Geological Survey, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to provide information that will aid in protecting the American public from harmful freshwater algal blooms.

In 2014, Lake Erie was contaminated by an algal bloom and this prompted officials in Toledo, Ohio, to ban the use of drinking water supplied to more than 400,000 residents. It is estimated that freshwater degraded by harmful algal bloom costs the US government around $64 million annually.

The new multi-agency campaign will utilise ocean colour satellite data to develop an early warning indicator for nuisance and toxic algal blooms in freshwater systems. This information will then be distributed to aid expedient public health advisories.

NASA Administrator Charles Bolden stated, “The vantage point of space not only contributes to a better understanding of our home planet, it helps improve lives around the world. We’re excited to be putting NASA’s expertise in space and scientific exploration to work protecting public health and safety.”