Automatic area estimation of algal blooms in water bodies from UAV images using texture analysis

Algal blooms,the spread of algae on the surface of water bodies,have adverse effects not only on aquatic ecosystems but also on human life.The adverse effects of harmful algal blooms(HABs)necessitate a convenient solution for detection and monitoring.Unmanned aerial vehicles(UAVs)have recently emerged as a tool for algal bloom detection,efficiently providing on-demand images at high spatiotemporal resolutions.This study developed an image processing method for algal bloom area estimation from the aerial images(obtained from the internet)captured using UAVs.As a remote sensing method of HAB detection,analysis,and monitoring,a combination of histogram and texture analyses was used to efficiently estimate the area of HABs.Statistical features like entropy(using the Kullback-Leibler method)were emphasized with the aid of a gray-level co-occurrence matrix.The results showed that the orthogonal images demonstrated fewer errors,and the morphological filter best detected algal blooms in real time,with a precision of 80%.This study provided efficient image processing approaches using on-board UAVs for HAB monitoring.

Effect of Marine Planktonic Algal Particles on the Communication Performance of Underwater Quantum Link

As one of the main application directions of quantum technology,underwater quantum communication is of great research significance.In order to study the influence of marine planktonic algal particles on the communication performance of underwater quantum links,based on the extinction characteristics of marine planktonic algal particles,the influence of changes in the chlorophyll concentration and particle number density of planktonic algal particles on the attenuation of underwater links is explored respectively,the influence of marine planktonic algal particles on the fidelity of underwater quantum links,the generation rate of the security key,and the utilization rate of the channel is analyzed,and simulation experiments are carried out.The results show that with the increase in chlorophyll concentration and particle density of aquatic planktonic algal particles,quantum communication channel link attenuation shows a gradually increasing trend.In addition,the security key generation rate,channel fidelity and utilization rate are gradually decreasing.Therefore,the performance of underwater quantum communication channel will be interfered by marine planktonic algal particles,and it is necessary to adjust the relevant parameter values in the quantum communication system according to different marine planktonic algal particle number density and chlorophyll concentration to improve the performance of quantum communication.

Impacts of algal blooms on sinking carbon flux and hypoxia off the Changjiang River estuary

Based on 10 multidisciplinary investigations conducted from February 2015 to January 2016,the phytoplankton community and its association with ambient seawater physicochemical parameters in the Changjiang(Yangtze)River estuary(CE)and its adjacent waters were comprehensively examined.In total,265 taxa were identified,belonging to 5 phyla and 94 genera.Diatoms(63.78%)and dinoflagellates(33.21%)were the dominant groups.The variation of diatom abundance showed a positive relationship with the nutrient concentrations while the dinoflagellate abundance showed a negative relationship.Two algal bloom events occurred during the investigation period.The Changjiang Diluted Water(CDW)induced environmental gradients in the upper layer,favoring the diatom bloom in July.The invasion of the nearshore Kuroshio branch current could affect the formation of a bloom of Prorocentrum donghaiense.With the blooming and senescence of phytoplankton,low dissolved oxygen(DO)and hypoxia occurred in the bottom waters.The bottom DO concentration displayed a significantly negative correlation with phytoplankton carbon flux.The present study provides straightforward evidence for the source of organic matter for oxygen consumption in the CE and its adjacent waters.

Factors inducing morphological transition in harmful algal bloom-forming species Phaeocystis globosa with emphasis on predator chemical cue

The microalga Phaeocystis globosa is recognized as a harmful alga and also one of the few keystone phytoplankton genera that shape the structure and function of marine ecosystems.P.globosa possess a complex polymorphic life cycle,exhibiting phase alternation between free-living cells of approximately 3-6μm in diameter and gelatinous colonies(palmelloid stage)reaching several millimeters.The knowledge on the factors that induced the morphological transition of P.globosa in the last two decades was reviewed.Emphasis is given to infochemicals,an additional biological factor induced by predator,with the attempt to reveal a relevant mechanism of induced morphological defense.

Taxonomic Analysis and Ecological Features of the Algal Flora of the Water Bodies of the West Zarafshan Range

There are a number of reservoirs in the West Zarafshan Range, which have their own water-saturated, hydrographic, soil and ecological features. In this regard, their algoflora is also formed in its own way. As a result of research in this area, 217 species of algae were identified, belonging to 5 divisions, 11 classes, 37 orders, 57 families and 97 genera. The development and distribution of organisms in water is influenced by a number of external factors, such as: temperature, light, mineral and organic substances, active-reactive water environment, gas regime (oxygen, carbon dioxide, hydrogen sulfide), flow rate, change in water volume, degree transparency and wave formation.

Different in-vitro and Clinical Studies to Evaluate the Improvement of the Eyes Cream Containing the Natural Algal Complex

A natural algal complex is prepared from the brown alga Undaria pinnatifida rich in fucoidan and the red calcareous algal Corallina officinalis. The effect of the algal complex was demonstrated by transcriptomic analysis on normal human fibroblasts through the DNA chip technology from AFFYMETRIX, combined with the following in vitro Elisa test and clinical studies. Clinical studies have been performed with a basic cream containing complex versus placebo on 2 groups of 30 Caucasian women for a period of 28 days. In the present study, the natural algal complex works on the crow’s feet, eye bags, and dark cycle through multiple ways of action, including enhancing natural immune responses, regulating the inflammatory and immunity process, and promoting the extracellular matrix synthesis. As the natural algal complex has excellent improvement on the eye circumference, we have applied it to mageline firming anti-wrinkle eye cream for further research.

Changes of Water Temperature and Harmful Algal Bloom in the Daya Bay in the Northern South China Sea

Economic development around the Daya Bay, China has profoundly affected the marine environment in the bay area in recent years, particularly since the operation of Daya Bay Nuclear Power Station （DNPS） in 1994. This study analyzed the changes of water temperature and harmful algal blooms （HABs） for two periods： 1983-1993 and 1994-2004, using in situ and satellite data. Results showed that yearly mean surface water temperature （SWT） and Chl-a concentration （Chl-a） increased by 1.1 ℃ and 1.9 mg/m^3, respectively, after 1994. The monthly occurrence of HAB was found to have increased also. HABs appeared only in spring and autumn before 1994, but occurred all the year round after 1994. SWT, Chl-a and HABs all increased significantly in May. Those changes were associated with environmental changes in this area, such as thermal discharge from the DNPS and enhancement of eutrophication from human activities around the Daya Bay.

Sustainable Utilization of Agricultural Straw for Harmful Algal Blooms Control:A Review

The use of agricultural straw for algal bloom control has been studied for more than 30 years.In this article,we have reviewed the promising potentials of using agricultural straw as source of anti-algal agents,including the effectiveness of each major straw type so far used in this regard,and the investigated algal species.Various pre-treatment methods have also been widely reviewed.Significant progress has been made in natural product chemistry and molecular biology with regards to agricultural straw,especially in relation to the extraction of antialgal allelochemicals,degradation processes of agricultural straws and the mechanisms through which these inhibitions occur.The development of biotechnologies using agricultural straw to successfully inhibit growth of bloom forming algae has been generally accepted as environmentally friendly.The current research status and that of the future should include isolation and discovery of antialgal allelochemicals,development of models that would illustrate the sequence of physiologic events that match the species-specific inhibitor phenomenon,and products fit in the field applications.

Nanohybrid membrane in algal-membrane photoreactor: Microalgae cultivation and wastewater polishing

Microalgae cultivation has gained tremendous attention in recent years due to its great potential in green biofuel production and wastewater treatment application. Membrane technology is a great solution in separating the microalgae biomass while producing high quality of permeate for recycling. The main objective of this study was to investigate the filtration performance of Ag/GO-PVDF(silver/graphene oxide-polyvinylidene fluoride) membrane in an algalmembrane photoreactor(A-MPR) by benchmarking with a commercial PVDF(com-PVDF) membrane. In this study, Chlorella vulgaris microalgae was cultivated in synthetic wastewater in an A-MPR for ammoniacal-nitrogen and phosphorus recovery and the wastewater was further filtered using Ag/GO-PVDF and com-PVDF membranes to obtain high quality water. Spectrophotometer was used to analyze the chemical oxidation demand(COD), ammoniacal nitrogen(NH3-N) and phosphate(PO43-). The concentration of proteins and carbohydrates was measured using Bradford method and phenol-sulfuric acid method, respectively. The COD of the synthetic wastewater was reduced from(180.5 ± 5.6) ppm to(82 ± 2.6) ppm due to nutrient uptake by microalgae. Then, the Ag/GO-PVDF membrane was used to further purify the microalgae cultivated wastewater, resulting in a low COD permeate of(31 ± 4.6) ppm. The high removal rate of proteins(100%) and carbohydrates(86.6%) as the major foulant in microalgae filtration, with low membrane fouling propensity of Ag/GO-PVDF membrane is advantageous for the sustainable development of the microalgae production. Hence, the integrated A-MPR system is highly recommended as a promising approach for microalgae cultivation and wastewater polishing treatment.

Increased diversity and environmental threat of harmful algal blooms in the Southern Yellow Sea,China

Harmful algal blooms(HABs)in the Southern Yellow Sea(SYS)have shown a trend of increasing diversity and detrimental ef fects.While the Bohai Sea,East China Sea,and South China Sea have experienced a high incidence of HABs since the 1980s,the Yellow Sea provides a relatively healthy ecological environment in which fewer HABs have been documented before the 21s t century.Yet largescale blooms of the green macroalga Ulva prolifera(so-called“green tides”)have occurred annually since 2007 in the Yellow Sea.Six people were poisoned and one person died in Lianyungang in 2008 due to ingestion of algal toxins.Moreover,the Yellow Sea experienced co-occurrence of harmful red tides,green tides,and golden tides in 2017.This combination of events,rare worldwide,indicates the potential for further deterioration of the marine environment in the Yellow Sea,which may be related to climate change,aquaculture,and other human activities.Using the SYS as an example,we collected data of the frequency and scale of HABs over the years,as well as that of marine algal toxins,and analyzed the trend in the diversity of HABs in the SYS,to explore the causes and impacts of HABs,as well as the interrelationships among dif ferent types of HABs,including harmful red tides,green tides,and golden tides.We also attempted to improve our understanding of HAB evolution under the influence of global climate change and intensified human activities.

Algal community composition and abundance near the confluence of the Jialing and Yangtze Rivers and in Shuanglong Lake in Chongqing,P.R.China

To understand the potential impact of the Three Gorges Reservoir on the aquatic ecosystem after the damming of the Yangtze River,we studied the community composition and temporal abundance distribution of algae in two types of water bodies:a segment of the Jialing River near its confluence with the Yangtze River as an example of the river-lake type,and Shuanglong Lake in Chongqing as an example of the lake type.In total,107 species belonging to 58 genera of 7 phyla were identified in the study area of the Jialing River,dominated by three groups with 49.5% diatoms,29.0% chlorophytes,and 11.4% cyanobacteria in the community composition.There were 122 species belonging to 66 genera of 8 phyla in Shuanglong Lake,dominated by the same three groups with 19.7% diatoms,48.4% chlorophytes,and 22.2% cyanobacteria.The densities of total algae and individual dominant groups were all much higher in the lake.More species of diatoms were found in the river-lake segment;whereas more chlorophyte species and cyanobacteriaum species were in the lake.There were 17 dominant species including 8 diatoms,4 chlorophytes,3 cyanobacteria and 2 cryptophytes in the river-lake segment,and 21 species in the lake,including 2 diatoms,9 chlorophytes,6 cyanobacteria,3 cryptophytes and a dinoflagellate.In eutrophic conditions,chlorophytes and cyanobacteria may proliferate in a lake-type area and diatoms may cause algal bloom in a relatively faster-flow lake-river type area.

^(15)N isotope fractionation in an aquatic food chain:Bellamya aeruginosa(Reeve) as an algal control agent

^ 15N isotope tracer techniques and ecological modeling were adopted to investigate the fractionation of nitrogen, its uptake and transformation in algae and snail （Bellamya aeruginosa Reeve）. Different algal species were found to differ in their uptake of nitrogen isotopes. Microcystis aeruginisa Ktitz. demonstrated the greatest ^15N accumulation capacity, with the natural variation in isotopic ratio （δ^15N） and the isotope fractionation factor （ε,‰） being the highest among the species investigated. The transformation and utilization of ^15N by snails differed depending on the specific algae consumed （highest for Chlorella pyrenoidosa Chick., lowest for M. aeruginisa）. When snails was seeded in the experimental pond, the algae population structure changed significantly, and total algal biomass as well as the concentration of all nitrogen species decreased, causing an increase in water transparency. A model, incorporating several chemical and biological parameters, was developed to predict algal biomass in an aquatic system when snails was present. The data collected during this investigation indicated that the gastropods such as snails could significantly impact biological community and water quality of small water bodies, suggesting a role for biological control of noxious algal blooms associated with eutrophication.

Effects of temperature, salinity, and irradiance on the growth of harmful algal bloom species Phaeocystis globosa Scherffel(Prymnesiophyceae) isolated from the South China Sea

Blooms of Phaeocystis globosa have been frequently reported in Chinese coastal waters, causing serious damage to marine ecosystems. To better understand the ecological characteristics of P. globosa in Chinese coastal waters that facilitate its rapid expansion, the effects of temperature, salinity and irradiance on the growth of P. globosa from the South China Sea were examined in the laboratory. The saturating irradiance for the growth ofP. globosa （Is） was 60 μmol/（m^2·s）, which was lower than those of other harmful algal species （70-114μmol/（m^2·s））. A moderate growth rate of 0.22/d was observed at 2 μmol/（m^2·s） （the minimum irradiance in the experiment）, and photo-inhibition did not occur at 230 μmol/（m^2·s） （the maximum irradiance in the experiment）. Exposed to 42 different combinations of temperatures （10- 31 ℃） and salinities （10-40） under saturating irradiance, P. globosa exhibited its maximum specific growth rate of 0.80/d at the combinations of 24℃ and 35, and 27℃ and 40. The optimum growth rates （〉0.80/d） were observed at temperatures ranging from 24 to 27℃ and salinities from 35 to 40. While P. globosa was able to grow well at temperatures from 20℃ to 31℃ and salinities from 20 to 40, it could not grow at temperatures lower than 15℃ or salinities lower than 15. Factorial analysis revealed that temperature and salinity has similar influences on the growth of this species. This strain ofP. globosa not only prefers higher temperatures and higher salinity, but also possesses a flexible nutrient competing strategy, adapted to lower irradiance. Therefore, the P. globosa population from South China Sea should belong to a new ecotype. There is also a potentially high risk of blooms developing in this area throughout the year.

Environmental and Health Effects Associated With Harmful Algal Bloom and Marine Algal Toxins in China

The frequency and scale of Harmful Algal Bloom (HAB) and marine algal toxin incidents have been increasing and spreading in the past two decades, causing damages to the marine environment and threatening human life through contaminated seafood. To better understand the effect of HAB and marine algal toxins on marine environment and human health in China, this paper overviews HAB occurrence and marine algal toxin incidents, as well as their environmental and health effects in this country. HAB has been increasing rapidly along the Chinese coast since the 1970s, and at least 512 documented HAB events have occurred from 1952 to 2002 in the Chinese mainland. It has been found that PSP and DSP toxins are distributed widely along both the northern and southern Chinese coasts. The HAB and marine algal toxin events during the 1990s in China were summarized, showing that the HAB and algal toxins resulted in great damages to local fisheries, marine culture, quality of marine environment, and human health. Therefore, to protect the coastal environment and human health, attention to HAB and marine algal toxins is urgently needed from the environmental and epidemiologicalview.

Physical Hydrography and Algal Bloom Transport in Hong Kong Waters

In sub-tropical coastal waters around Hong Kong, algal blooms and red tides are usually first sighted in the Mirs Bay, in the eastern waters of Hong Kong. A calibrated three-dimensional hydrodynamic model for the Pearl River Estuary （Delft3D） has been applied to the study of the physical hydrography of Hong Kong waters and its relationship with algal bloom transport patterns in the dry and wet seasons. The general 3D hydrodynamic circulation and salinity structure in the partially-mixed estuary are presented. Extensive numerical surface drogue tracking experiments are performed for algal blooms that are initiated in the Mirs Bay under different seasonal, wind and tidal conditions. The probability of bloom impact on the Victoria Harbour and nearby urban coastal waters is estimated. The computations show that： i） In the wet season （May - August）, algal blooms initiated in the Mirs Bay will move in a clockwise direction out of the bay, and be transported away from Hong Kong due to SW monsoon winds which drive the SW to NE coastal current; ii） In the dry season （November- April）, algal blooms initiated in the northeast Mirs Bay will move in an anti-clockwise direction and be carried away into southern waters due to the NE to SW coastal current driven by the NE monsoon winds; the bloom typically flows past the east edge of the Victoria Harbeur and nearby waters. Finally, the role of hydrodynamic transport in an important episodic event -- the spring 1998 massive red tide -- is quantitatively examined. It is shown that the strong NE to E wind during late March to early April, coupled with the diurnal tide at the beginning of April, significantly increased the probability of bloom transport into the Port Shelter and East Lamma Channel, resulting in the massive fish kill. The results provide a basis for risk assessment of harmful algal bloom （HAB） impact on urban coastal waters around the Victoria Habour.

On the horizontal distribution of algal-bloom in Chaohu Lake and its formation process

Based on the remote sensing images of algae, the present work analyzes the horizontal distribution characteristics of algal blooms in Chaohu Lake, China, which also reveals the frequency of algal blooms under different wind directions. Further, an unstructured-grid, three-dimensional finite-volume coastal ocean model （FVCOM） is applied to investigate the wind-induced currents and the transport pro- cess to explain the reason why algal blooms occur at the detected places. We first deduce the primary distribution of biomass from overlaid satellite images, and explain the formation mechanism by analyzing the pollution sources, and simulating the flow field and transportation process under prevailing wind over Chaohu Lake. And then, we consider the adjustment action of the wind on the corresponding day and develop a two-time scale approach to describe the whole formation process of algae horizontal distribution in Chaohu Lake. That is, on the longer time scale, i.e., during bloom season, prevailing wind determines the primary distribution of biomass by inducing the characteristic flow field; on the shorter time scale, i.e., on the day when bloom occurs, the wind force adjusts the primary distribution of biomass to form the final distribution of algal bloom.

Spatio-temporal variations of harmful algal blooms along the coast of Guangdong,Southern China during 1980–2016

Harmful algal blooms (HABs) have become a recurring problem, posing severe impacts on marine ecosystems, fisheries, mariculture industry, and even public health. In this study, the geographic information system (GIS) was utilized to determine spatial and temporal characteristics of HAB events in the coastal waters of Guangdong from 1980–2016. We analyzed distribution patterns and characteristics of HABs by dividing the coast of Guangdong into well-known bays, estuary and coastal waters. Results showed that there were a total of 337 HABs recorded in Guangdong coastal waters. Spatial and temporal distributions varied among diff erent regions. Most HABs occurred in the Mirs Bay, followed by the west coast of Daya Bay, while a few occurred in the west and east coasts of Guangdong but with an increasing trend in the past two decades. HABs occurred mostly in warmer months of March to May in the western coast of Guangdong, March and April in Mirs Bay, April in Zhujiang (Pearl) River estuary, November in eastern coast of Guangdong. For Daya Bay, most HABs were reported between March and September. The most frequently occurring HABs species were Noctiluca scintillans , Phaeocystis globosa , Skeletonema costatum and Scrippsiella trochoidea , occurring mostly in Mirs Bay, western Guangdong coast area, eastern Guangdong coast area and Zhujiang River estuary and Daya Bay, respectively. Ichthyotoxic blooms were more common than toxic blooms, and Heterosigma akashiwo , Chattonella marina , Karenia mikimotoi and P haeocystis globosa were the most common ichthyotoxic species. Our results provide baseline information useful for policy making and management of HABs in the region.

The Distribution of Green Algal Micro-Propagules and Macroalgae at the Early Stage of Green Tide in the Coastal Area of South Jiangsu Province in 2014

An integrated investigation was carried out during late April to late May of 2014 in the coastal area of South Jiangsu Province to understand the early development of green tide in the Yellow Sea and discover the temporal and spatial distribution of green algal micro-propagules and macroalgae at the early stage of green tide. The results showed that green algal micro-propagules distributed in all stations from late April to late May, and micro-propagules of high density(> 300 ind. L^(-1)) concentrated in the adjacent Porphyra aquaculture area. Floating macroalgae were initially observed in the northern survey areas, and increased gradually. The dominant species was U. prolifera in the floating macroalgae, ranging between 90% and 100%. The seawater surface temperature and salinity in the above mentioned time period were suitable for the growth of macroalgae. This work can help government to strengthen management to reduce the blooms of macroalgae in the coastal area of South Jiangsu Province and also facilitate the decision-making for managers at the early stage of green tide.

Monitoring cyanobacteria-dominant algal blooms in eutrophicated Taihu Lake in China with synthetic aperture radar images

Monitoring algal blooms by optical remote sensing is limited by cloud cover.In this study,synthetic aperture radar(SAR) was deployed with the aim of monitoring cyanobacteria-dominant algal blooms in Taihu Lake in cloudy weather.The study shows that dark regions in the SAR images caused by cyanobacterial blooms damped the microwave backscatter of the lake surface and were consistent with the regions of algal blooms in quasi-synchronous optical images,confirming the applicability of SAR for detection of surface blooms.Low backscatter may also be associated with other factors such as low wind speeds,resulting in interference when monitoring algal blooms using SAR data alone.After feature extraction and selection,the dark regions were classified by the support vector machine method with an overall accuracy of 67.74%.SAR can provide a reference point for monitoring cyanobacterial blooms in the lake,particularly when weather is not suitable for optical remote sensing.Multi-polarization and multi-band SAR can be considered for use in the future to obtain more accurate information regarding algal blooms from SAR data.

Present Situation and Control of Outbreaks of Algal Blooms in the Three Gorges Reservoir

After water storage in the Three Gorges Reservoir Region,there are no outbreaks of algal blooms in the main stream of the reservoir region,but the density of algae increases obviously. Outbreaks of algal blooms mainly appeared in the tributaries of the reservoir region such as the Xiangxi River,Daning River,Shennong River and Xiaojiang River,but they did not occur every year. The reasons for outbreaks of algal blooms in the tributaries are shown as follows: the existence of sources of algae(blue-green algae) in the Three Gorges Reservoir is the root cause,and the sources include sources existing and being produced in the reservoir and sources from upstream main stream and its tributaries and other related lakes and reservoirs,of which the sources are mainly from the Dianchi Lake; slight or moderate eutrophication of water is the basic condition;hydrologic and hydrodynamic conditions and suitable temperature are conducive to proliferation and aggregation of algae(blue-green algae) after the operation of the Three Gorges Reservoir until outbreaks of algal blooms appear. Outbreaks of algal blooms in the tributaries of the Three Gorges Reservoir Region mainly appear in backwater reaches; they mainly occur in the tributaries in the north of the reservoir region and near to the dam;they mainly appear from March to July; the dominant species of algae( blue-green algae) in the Three Gorges Reservoir are Pyrrophyta,Bacillariophyta and Chlorophyta,but they tend to change into blue-green algae and other algae. To control outbreaks of algal blooms in the tributaries of the Three Gorges Reservoir Region,it is needed to prevent water containing blue-green algae collected from the Dianchi Lake and other lakes and reservoirs from being input into the lower reaches,reduce pollution load flowing into the Three Gorges Reservoir,use enclosures to change hydrodynamic conditions of backwater reaches of the tributaries appropriately,and adopt biological measures such as culturing fish and planting plants to improve ecosystem of the tributaries and other measures to inhibit and eliminate algae and decrease eutrophication level.