Cyanobacteria assessment network
Inventors
Schaeffer, Blake Allen • Conmy, Robyn Nicole • Keith, Darryl Joel • Lunetta, Ross S. • Murphy, Mark S. • Hultgren, Torrin
Assignees
Us Government Us Environmental Protection Agency, Administrator of • US Environmental Protection Agency
Publication Number
US-10290089-B2
Publication Date
2019-05-14
Expiration Date
2035-05-22
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Abstract
Systems and methods are used to determine the location and severity of harmful algal blooms or other water quality parameters. GPS location information is transmitted from a mobile device and recent Satellite image data and water quality parameters are provided to the mobile device. Data regarding other locations, historical water quality parameters and algorithm based predictive results are provided for the end user. This provides for near-real time information allowing users to make decisions regarding fishing, beach closures, municipal water intake, etc. so as to avoid toxic effects of a harmful algal bloom.
Core Innovation
The invention provides systems and methods to determine the location and severity of harmful algal blooms and other water quality parameters by integrating GPS location information from a mobile device with recent satellite image data and water quality parameters. It enables near-real time information delivery to end users, allowing informed decisions about fishing, beach closures, and municipal water intake to avoid toxic effects of harmful algal blooms.
The invention addresses problems in existing harmful algal bloom monitoring systems, which rely on slow and scattered human reports, water sampling that only detects blooms after they reach the shore, and satellite observation software that is complex, requires scientific expertise, and is not designed for day-to-day decision makers. The invention provides an intuitive, rapid, location-specific method for viewing and analyzing water quality parameters using mobile devices connected to a continuously updated database of satellite and aerial imagery.
This system downloads and stores historical and current satellite or aerial imaging data which are extracted based on location coordinates sent from a mobile device. Water quality parameters such as turbidity, surface temperature, light attenuation, chlorophyll concentration, and cyanobacteria cell counts are processed and displayed on the mobile device in an easy to understand manner. The invention also supports projection and prediction of future bloom location and density, enabling proactive decision making.
Claims Coverage
The patent includes two independent claims covering a method for displaying water quality parameters using mobile devices linked to a satellite image database, and a mobile device configured with software for this purpose. The main inventive features include data communication, location-based data extraction, display methods, threshold setting, multiple location handling, historical data access, and predictive analysis.
Method for location-based water quality parameter display
A method in which a mobile device sends location coordinates to a server with a continuously updated satellite image database, receives corresponding aerial or satellite image data on water quality parameters, determines the parameters from the image data, and displays the water quality parameters on the mobile device.
Wireless data transmission and reception
The data transmission of location coordinates and reception of corresponding image data between the mobile device and server is performed wirelessly.
Setting and displaying water quality thresholds
Allowing users to set acceptable thresholds for water quality parameters and displaying whether these parameters fall within these thresholds.
Handling multiple locations and regions
Transmitting multiple location coordinates or defining multiple desired regions, receiving image data for each, and displaying water quality parameters accordingly for each location or region.
Access to near real-time and historical image data
Receiving and displaying near real-time image data, as well as historical image data for the desired regions to allow temporal analysis.
Predictive analysis of water quality parameters
Analyzing the image data to predict future water quality parameters for the specified location or regions, with results displayed on the mobile device.
Mobile device with integrated software and hardware components
A mobile device that includes software instructions, GPS for location sensing and transmission, a data connection to a server with a satellite image database, a display screen for showing water quality parameters, and memory for executing instructions to direct data transmission and manipulate received image data to display numerical, graphical, or image data of water quality parameters.
The claims overall cover a system and method for providing users with current, historical, and predictive water quality parameter data through mobile devices connected wirelessly to a database of continuously updated satellite or aerial imagery, allowing interactive selection of locations and user-defined thresholds, thereby enabling real-time water quality monitoring and decision-making.
Stated Advantages
Provides near-real time information allowing users to make timely decisions about fishing, beach closures, and municipal water intake to avoid toxic effects of harmful algal blooms.
Delivers water quality parameter information and satellite imagery in an intuitive, user-friendly manner suitable for non-technical and non-scientific users, unlike previous complex scientific software.
Enables users to view current and historical water quality data for specific locations and to compare multiple locations easily.
Supports setting user-defined or standard thresholds for water quality parameters and alerts users when parameters exceed these limits.
Incorporates predictive algorithms for projecting future water quality conditions, enabling proactive planning and mitigation.
Documented Applications
Providing information to individuals for decisions regarding fishing activities.
Informing authorities and the public about beach closures due to harmful algal blooms.
Supporting municipal decision-making about water intake operations to prevent intake of toxic waters.
Monitoring and analyzing harmful or nuisance algal blooms in freshwater, brackish, and saltwater bodies to prevent health hazards to humans, animals, and plants.
Detecting and assessing other water quality issues such as chemical spills, petroleum leakage, agricultural run-off, sewage discharge, and hypoxic 'dead zones'.
Enabling aquaculture operations to monitor water safety and quality.
Facilitating environmental and public health management by providing timely water quality data through mobile or fixed devices.
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