Challenges 2023 - KUL09 Advancing Management of Harmful Algal Blooms: A High-Performance Predictive Tool for Enhanced Prevention and Mitigation

Challenges Description:

A “red tide” is a common term used for a harmful algal bloom (HAB). A HAB occurs when colonies of algae accumulate in high concentrations, or form "blooms". These particular species can cause harm due to their ability to produce potent toxins, or through impacts associated with their sheer biomass (oxygen depletion, light blockage, habitat alteration). Only a few dozen species of microscopic and macroscopic algae are repeatedly associated with toxic or harmful blooms.

Can we create an algorithm to predict these blooms? Yes, the algorithm can provide valuable insights and probabilistic forecasts based on historical data, environmental conditions, and biological factors.
Can we incorporate this algorithm and an app? An app can be developed to gather and provide information about red algae blooms and assist marine biologists, ocean fieldworkers, and leisure consumers. Such an app could be a valuable data collection, bloom tracking, species identification, data analysis and visualization, and communication tool. By better understanding and predicting these phenomena, some species associated with HABs could offer renewable and eco-friendly alternatives to traditional resources.

What the challenge owner would like to develop over 48h

• Create a mobile phone and an algorithm on which the prediction analysis runs.

Which skills the challenge owner is looking for

• IT developers, App/web developer, phycologists/HABs specialists, Oceanographers, Marine biologists, Data scientists, Actuarial scientists, Communication specialists, Graphic designers