The U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC) solves the nation's toughest engineering and environmental challenges. ERDC develops innovative solutions in civil and military engineering, geospatial sciences, water resources, and environmental sciences for the Army, the Department of Defense, civilian agencies, and our nation's public good. Find out more at www.erdc.usace.army.mil. To search for other technical reports published by ERDC, visit the ERDC online library at http://acwc.sdp.sirsi.net/client/default.
To assist US Army Corps of Engineers resource managers in monitoring for cyanobacteria bloom events, a laboratory method using hyperspectral imaging has been developed. This method enables the rapid detection of cyanobacteria in large volumes and has the potential to be transitioned to aerial platforms for field deployment. Prior to field data collection, validation of the technology in the laboratory using monocultures was needed. This report describes the development of the detection method using hyperspectral imaging and the stability/reliability of these signatures for identification purposes. Hyperspectral signatures of different cyanobacteria were compared to evaluate spectral deviations between genera to assess the feasibility of using this imaging method in the field. Algorithms were then developed to spectrally deconvolute mixtures of cyanobacteria to determine relative abundances of each species. Last, laboratory cultures of Microcystis aeruginosa and Anabaena sp. were subjected to varying macro (nitrate and phosphate) and micro-nutrient (iron and magnesium) stressors to establish the stability of signatures within each species. Based on the findings, hyperspectral imaging can be a valuable tool for the detection and monitoring of cyanobacteria. However, it should be used with caution and only during stages of active growth for accurate identification and limited interference owing to stress.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.