Automated Detection of Harmful (and/or toxic) Algae Blooms (HABs) in Galveston Bay

Summary

A&M University-Galveston (TAMUG) will use an Imaging FlowCytobot, to continuously monitor algal populations, and to act as an early warning system, alerting scientists, state and federal agency personal of Harmful Algal Blooms that may enter the bay. The Imaging FlowCytobot will allow TAMUG: to identify phytoplankton blooms – their timing, magnitude and duration; follow blooms and observe changes in species composition; analyze the distribution of species in real time; and allow the development of predictive abilities to forecast subsequent blooms. The unit is portable and can be moved in response to blooms.