Algae Alert: AI and Drones Take on HABs in New Jersey's Waters
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Grant: NSF
Brendan Hannon
CoPIs:
Andrea Balcacer
College:
The Dorothy and George Hennings College of Science, Mathematics, and Technology
Major:
Computer Science
Faculty Research Advisor(s):
Yulia Kumar
Abstract:
The increasing prevalence of harmful algal blooms (HABs) in New Jersey's coastal waters, driven by global warming, nutrient pollution, and increased sunlight exposure, poses significant threats to environmental health and overburdened communities (OBCs). This research adopts an innovative approach to HAB management by integrating drones, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and a Socio-Ecological System (SES)-based framework to address the challenges posed by two distinct types of HABs: red tides and brown tides. The objectives are to assess the socio-economic and cultural impacts of these HABs over the past two decades, develop an SES-based framework for understanding their impacts across different societal levels, and propose targeted AI-driven strategies for their prevention, control, and mitigation.
The research will utilize drones such as the DJI P4 Multispectral, DJI Phantom 4, and DJI Phantom 4 Pro V2.0 equipped with advanced sensors and AI technologies, including machine learning algorithms and large language models (LLMs) like ChatGPT-4-Vision enable rapid, accurate, and large-scale monitoring of HABs. This integration offers a revolutionary approach to HAB monitoring, providing real-time visualizations and facilitating an immersive, context-specific experience. The expected outcomes include the development of a comprehensive website for public education and interaction, a roadmap for policymakers, and actionable policy recommendations for HAB management. We hope this research contributes to studying AI applications in environmental fields and reducing algal pollution.