Real-Time Surveillance of Shallow Depth Estuaries for Water Quality and Harmful Algal Bloom Detection

In 1998, the State of Delaware implemented a Harmful Algal Bloom (HAB) Surveillance Program in the Delaware Inland Bays. This program was motivated by several large, prominent fish kills that were attributed to algal blooms possibly caused from years of nutrient runoff from watersheds. To address the need for cost effective, real-time surveillance in water bodies at high risk, research over the past three years has led to the development of an inexpensive remote monitoring system that is capable collecting data throughout the entire depth of a water body. As configured, the monitoring system can measure as many as fourteen water quality and meteorological variables. The resulting information gives a complete snapshot of important water quality data—over a period of time, the data provides a more comprehensive understanding of water quality changes in a body of water throughout the entire depth. In addition, the monitoring station is equipped with cellular telemetry which transmits the data to a host computer that can broadcast the data on the web in real time; data can also be processed and sent to a list of scientists and other personnel for further analysis. This technology provides a unique and effective means to monitor estuaries and watersheds with high temporal resolution, which is critical for effective assessment of water quality conditions that can lead to algal bloom detection. The continuously recorded results from the monitoring stations will promote a better understanding of the influences of nutrient enrichment from watersheds on algal bloom dynamics, assist in determining the temporal relationships between HABs and shellfish health/toxin contamination, and provide an early warning system for the detection of algal blooms in several of Delaware's prime recreational waters.