This algae appeared in a water sample taken outside Rinøyvåg. Researcher Lars-Johan Naustvoll. Photo: Tor Birkeland / Institute of Marine Research

New technology improves monitoring of harmful algae

NORWAY
Thursday, October 31, 2024, 10:00 (GMT + 9)

"Submersible" microscopes and artificial intelligence help marine scientists uncover blooms of harmful algae.

At the Marine Research Institute (HI), new equipment provides new opportunities for even better algae monitoring.

"We are now installing advanced 'microscopes' that take pictures of microalgae found in the seawater", explains HI researcher Lars-Johan Naustvoll. "Then we use artificial intelligence to identify the algae".

The seawater is analyzed – in the sea 

The researchers are in full swing testing the new technology at the Fløviegen research station. 

"This machine is set up to analyze directly from the sea. We don't need to collect water samples, take them into the lab and analyze them under a microscope". 

The seawater goes straight into the "microscope" and all the microalgae in the water sample are photographed inside the metal cylinder. 

Artificial intelligence helps, so the researchers can sound the alarm 

"Then we use artificial intelligence to count the algae and identify them. Then we know both which species are present and in what quantity. This way we can quickly and effectively detect the presence of harmful algae."

"This way we can also notify the authorities and industries quickly if we see a bloom of the more troublesome algae".

Some algae are "problem algae"

Because although the vast majority of algae are completely harmless, there are some species that can be harmful.

In early spring, the algae blooms, it is the "kick start" for the summer half-year in the sea and the algae are food for many. The spring bloom in the sea is a natural and necessary phenomenon.

Engineer Hege Skaar monitors from shore the "microscope" (right) which takes pictures of the algae in the seawater.Photographer: Naustvoll/Fagerbakke/HI

The "mix" of which algae bloom is different from place to place and year to year.

But if, after the spring flowering, you have a large proportion of a slightly troubled species, or the amount is too great, then that means trouble.

A harmful bloom can discolour the water, algae can produce toxins or use up the oxygen and thus suffocate fish and other animals in the sea. The algae can also cause shells to become poisonous for us humans to eat.

In 2019, such a harmful bloom led to extensive salmon deaths in northern Norway.

Does not replace water tests, but provides a wider monitoring

Both the amount and the "mix" of algae change quickly, even just within a week. The new technology therefore becomes a useful supplement to the more traditional water tests.

In 2019, a harmful bloom of Chrysochromulina leadbeateri caused  salmon deaths in Nordland and Troms. Photo: Institute of Marine Research 

"This does not replace thorough analyzes of water samples under a microscope, but we get information faster. A flourishing happens so quickly that it is not possible to collect and analyze so quickly in the 'old' way to capture everything".

The "old way" just as well has its advantages. Parallel to the testing of artificial intelligence, human, experienced taxonomists sit and identify microalgae in the images taken by the new machine. The basis of the artificial intelligence is thus created by humans.

"Today's technology cannot identify all harmful algae, many are too small and the machine cannot get good enough pictures of them. So water tests and skilled professionals are still necessary," explains the HI researcher.

"But together, these methods give us an increasingly better overview of the algae blooms. This in turn makes us better able to give good advice to administration and business more quickly".

Author/Source:  Stine Hommedal / Institute of Marine Research (Havforskningsinstituttet) | Translated from original in Norwegian

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