A clean, safe water supply is one of our Nation’s great natural resources, and keeping it that way requires a well-integrated system of monitoring coastal waters, estuaries, rivers, streams and Great Lakes. Each year, Federal and State Government agencies, industry, academia, and private organizations devote significant time, energy, and money to monitor, protect, manage, and restore water resources and watersheds. IOOS Ocean Technology Transition projects are supporting efforts to address two water quality issues: Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) and Hypoxia. Early warning sensors and systems are needed for rapid and accurate detection, identification, and quantification of ocean and coastal microbial pathogens, chemical contaminants, and nutrients in order to protect human health from these risks.
More information about Harmful Algal Blooms can be found here and information about Hypoxia can be found here.
Ocean Technology Transition Projects
IOOS’ Ocean Technology Transition program is working with scientists and industry to transition technologies to monitor ocean conditions that can impact human health into operations. U.S. IOOS has funded four Ocean Technology Transition projects in support of HAB and Hypoxia detection and monitoring (select the project for information about the project and its progress to-date):
FY13
Gulf of Maine Environmental Sensor Processor Deployment to Support HAB Detection
FY14
FY15
Transitioning Imaging FlowCytoBot for Harmful Algal Bloom Mitigation and Research
FY17
Transitioning Lake Erie Harmful Algal Blooms Early Warning System to Sustainable Operational Form
FY20
Unmanned Surface Vehicle for Autonomous Hypoxia Monitoring
Autonomous Offshore HAB Sampling Surveys with the OceanAero Triton in the Pacific Northwest
For more information about IOOS’ Ocean Technology Transition program, please contact Tiffany Vance, Program Manager.