Development and in-situ application of the real-time acoustic monitoring system for Harmful algal bloom

Abstract

Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs, called red tide) caused by the Cochlodinium polykrikoides has serious impact annually in coastal waters of Korea in summer season and its impact is a tendency to increase in the other ocean. As yearly massive damage of the aqua-cultured fishes and ecosystem, more rapidly detection than traditional methods is necessary. Korea Institute of Ocean Science & Technology has been developed real-time acoustic detection system using two ultasonic transducers (3.5 and 5.0 MHz), based on the acoustic scattering properties of C. polykrikoides. The acoustic detection system was comprised of mainly two components (1) detection & process parts, (2) remote control & monitoring parts. After stability evaluation under various conditions (no HABs and HABs) in laboratory, we finished performance test and application in-situ condition to detect HABs. The acoustic detection data and surface temperature with 5 minute intervals were continuously recorded and transported to remotely control centre.In summer season 2013, strong HABs occurred in the coastal area of the South Sea in Korea. In the season, we evaluated the acoustic system to detect HABs for a long time. From the evaluation, the acoustic system can early detect HABs than traditional counting method, approximately 5 days. The acoustic system can be applied to real-time detect HABs in the coastal water and expanded to another field for detecting aquatage of the aqua-cultured fishes and ecosystem, more rapidly detection than traditional methods is necessary. Korea Institute of Ocean Science & Technology has been developed real-time acoustic detection system using two ultasonic transducers (3.5 and 5.0 MHz), based on the acoustic scattering properties of C. polykrikoides. The acoustic detection system was comprised of mainly two components (1) detection & process parts, (2) remote control & monitoring parts. After stability evaluation under various conditions (no HABs and HABs) in laboratory, we finished performance test and application in-situ condition to detect HABs. The acoustic detection data and surface temperature with 5 minute intervals were continuously recorded and transported to remotely control centre.In summer season 2013, strong HABs occurred in the coastal area of the South Sea in Korea. In the season, we evaluated the acoustic system to detect HABs for a long time. From the evaluation, the acoustic system can early detect HABs than traditional counting method, approximately 5 days. The acoustic system can be applied to real-time detect HABs in the coastal water and expanded to another field for detecting aquat