Publication Abstracts

Reckling et al. 2026, submitted

Reckling, W., J. Levine, J. Sánchez-Gallego, H. Huang, T. Walton, H. Plaas, K. Popendorf, and R. Paerl, 2026: Novel and rapid processing of UAS imagery for targeted cyanobacterial harmful algal bloom sampling. PLOS Water, submitted.

Unmanned aerial systems (UAS) are an efficient way to monitor and sample algal biomass including cyanobacterial harmful algal blooms (CyanoHABs). However, conventional methods to create a UAS orthophoto of homogeneous water surfaces often produce a patchy, smoothed, or spatially inaccurate output. In this study, we developed a novel method to interpolate a spectral index from a central pixel in individual aerial photos to rapidly map the distribution of algal biomass. The results of our interpolation method align well with orthomosaic-derived indices and UAS-collected water samples analyzed in the laboratory, affirming the reliability of our approach. This alignment further strengthens our ability to monitor, detect, and alert the public of algal growth via rapid system-wide assessment as well as targeted sampling of low and high-biomass regions. Last, we demonstrate how simple UAS sampling associated with imagery analyses enables genetic- and microscopy-based assessment of collected algal biomass as well as cyanotoxin concentrations.

Export citation: [ BibTeX ] [ RIS ]

BibTeX Citation

@unpublished{re01200v,
  author={Reckling, W. and Levine, J. and Sánchez-Gallego, J. and Huang, H. and Walton, T. and Plaas, H. and Popendorf, K. and Paerl, R.},
  title={Novel and rapid processing of UAS imagery for targeted cyanobacterial harmful algal bloom sampling},
  year={2026},
  journal={PLOS Water},
  note={Manuscript submitted for publication}
}

[ Close ]

RIS Citation

TY  - UNPB
ID  - re01200v
AU  - Reckling, W.
AU  - Levine, J.
AU  - Sánchez-Gallego, J.
AU  - Huang, H.
AU  - Walton, T.
AU  - Plaas, H.
AU  - Popendorf, K.
AU  - Paerl, R.
PY  - 2026
TI  - Novel and rapid processing of UAS imagery for targeted cyanobacterial harmful algal bloom sampling
JA  - PLOS Water
ER  -

[ Close ]

• Return to Publications Homepage