United States Naval Research Laboratory

Bio-Optical/Physical Processes and Remote Sensing Section

Commercial Space-borne Hyperspectral Harmful Algal Bloom (HAB) Products

Objective: Over past several decades, the frequency and severity of Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) has increased throughout the world. These blooms often lead to severe economical and ecological impacts particularly in the coastal areas and threaten human and marine health. Space-borne sensors are ideal tools for HAB detection due to their spatial coverage and low cost. However, existing research has not addressed the detection, quantification and classification of the HABs in adequate details particularly from space-borne hyperspectral measurements to mitigate health risk and economic damages. The goals of this project are:

  1. To develop more reliable HAB detection algorithms for hyperspectral space borne-sensor such as the HICO.
  2. To develop algorithms to classify (identify) HAB species using contiguous spectral information collected by HICO.
  3. To quantify the blooms in terms of chlorophyll and develop users friendly potential threat levels so that the customers can interpret it easily.
  4. Implement the algorithms into NRL’s Automated Processing System (APS) for near real time products generation and deliver the products to the potential customers.