Alberta research project tracks blue-green algae using satellite data

The Algal Bloom Tracker Project, a collaboration of 12 organizations led by University of Alberta biology professor Rolf Vinebrooke, is providing new insights into blue-green algae dynamics in six Alberta lakes. The study includes Sylvan Lake, Pigeon Lake, Ethel Lake, Lac La Biche, Nakumun Lake, and Wabamun Lake.

Researchers are combining over 1,100 water samples collected between 2023 and 2024 with multispectral imagery from European Space Agency Sentinel-2 satellites. By matching cyanobacterial pigments found in the samples to satellite data, the team aims to understand the causes of blooms and determine if their size, intensity, and location have changed over time. The project also utilizes four decades of historical satellite imagery to establish long-term trends.

Cyanobacteria, or blue-green algae, pose risks to human health, animals, and lake ecosystems. Alberta Health Services recently issued health advisories for Pine Lake, warning visitors against swimming or wading due to the presence of blooms.