A Multi-Cloud Cyber Infrastructure for Monitoring Global Proliferation of Cyanobacterial Harmful Algal Blooms

Cyanobacterial Harmful Algal Blooms (CyanoHABs) are a major water quality and public health issue in inland waters as they hamper recreational activities, degrade aquatic habitats, and potentially affect human health via toxic contamination. Despite the risks posed to environment, human and animal health, currently, there is lack of rapid monitoring program to periodically evaluate the spatial distribution of cyanobacteria in inland waters. This study integrated multiple clouds including community cloud (via social media data), sensor cloud (wireless hyperspectral sensor and satellite sensor) and computational cloud to design and implement techniques for early detection of CyanoHABs in inland waters. Social cloud data helped to identify the geographical locations frequently affected by CyanoHABs and sensor clouds helped in verifying those locations. This integrated monitoring system would be very useful for lake resource managements and state agencies by reducing their budget cost for rapid detection and frequent monitoring of CyanoHABs across inland waters.