2022 - Dr. Brad Whitaker

A device with lenses on one side, and wires coming out of it.

When large colonies of bacteria form in bodies of water, they can create harmful algal blooms. These blooms affect water quality and can have significant effects on human and animal health and well-being. Additionally, algal blooms can affect the economy by disturbing recreational activities. The most reliable way to detect harmful algal blooms is to collect water and analyze the bacterial content in a lab. Unfortunately, this can be a costly and time-consuming process. The goal of our research is to discover if algal blooms can be identified using polarized cameras in a manner that is cost- and time-efficient. The developed system, called a Polarized Receiver of Optical Photos On Geolocated Algae, Normally Drone Attached (PROPAGANDA) Machine, can be mounted to a drone and quickly measure optical properties, including those specific to algae.