Characterization of Harmful Algal Blooms Using Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems and Watershed Analysis in Southern Illinois

Both drone images and water samples were collected for each water sample location in the Carbondale Reservoir and the SIUC Campus Lake. In the early summer (June 2019), we were not able to identify any algae from the Carbondale Reservoir due to very wet weather. In July, we identified both regular and toxic algae using water sampling from SIU Campus Lake. We are in the process of analyzing the statistical relationship between the spectral values of images and water quality indicators.

  • PIs: Ruopu Li, Di Wu
  • PI Institution: Southern Illinois University
  • June 18, 2018 – September 17, 2019