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Integrating UAV with sensors to monitor harmful algal blooms in surface waters

Gottsacker, Catherine
http://orcid.org/0000-0001-7646-5048
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1712912425666119

Abstract Details

2024, MS, University of Cincinnati, Engineering and Applied Science: Environmental Engineering.
Harmful algae blooms in surface waters are a global environmental concern and threaten both human and environmental health. By outcompeting aquatic diversity, causing dissolved oxygen levels in surface waters to fall, and secreting toxins, algae blooms stress water treatment infrastructure and result in large economic losses. To control and manage the impact of harmful algae blooms, timely detection and monitoring is critical. However, current monitoring methods, such as permanent monitoring stations or water sampling, can be very costly or time-intensive, and require direct water access. The methods become dangerous or impractical in areas surrounded by cliffs or wetlands. In this study, a flexible, efficient, and cost-effective approach for monitoring surface water quality was developed by integrating water quality sensors and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV). The integration platform was designed, constructed, and deployed through the summer of 2023 to monitor chlorophyll, phycocyanin, and turbidity in William H. Harsha Lake of Clermont County, Ohio. The water quality parameters, used as an indicator of algae blooms, were then correlated to reflectance from Landsat 8 and 9 and Sentinel 2 satellites through single and multiple linear regressions. Multiple linear regressions using reflectance from Sentinel 2 satellites yielded the highest correlations between reflectance and water quality, with R2 values of 0.70, 0.86, and 0.97 for chlorophyll, phycocyanin and turbidity, respectively. From the regressions, visible, near infrared, and red-edge bands were identified as useful for algae detection, and commercially available multispectral cameras capable of integration with UAVs were identified for future improvement of the UAV monitoring platform.
Dongmei Feng, Ph.D. (Committee Chair)
Richard Beck, Ph.D. (Committee Member)
Drew McAvoy, Ph.D. (Committee Member)
38 p.
Environmental Engineering
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles; Algae; Chlorophyll; Sentinel; Landsat; Phycocyanin

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Gottsacker, C. (2024). Integrating UAV with sensors to monitor harmful algal blooms in surface waters [Master's thesis, University of Cincinnati]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1712912425666119

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Gottsacker, Catherine. Integrating UAV with sensors to monitor harmful algal blooms in surface waters. 2024. University of Cincinnati, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1712912425666119.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Gottsacker, Catherine. "Integrating UAV with sensors to monitor harmful algal blooms in surface waters." Master's thesis, University of Cincinnati, 2024. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1712912425666119

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

ucin1712912425666119
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© 2024, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by University of Cincinnati and OhioLINK.