NASA AI Tool Enhances Detection of Harmful Algal Blooms in Coastal Waters
NASA has developed an artificial intelligence (AI) tool to detect harmful algal blooms (HABs) in coastal waters with greater speed and precision. The system uses self-supervised machine learning to analyze data from multiple satellites, including NASA's PACE and TROPOMI instruments. Initial tests in Florida and California have shown the tool's ability to identify species-specific blooms, such as Karenia brevis in the Gulf of Mexico and Pseudo-nitzschia on the West Coast. These blooms pose significant ecological, health, and economic risks, including wildlife deaths, respiratory illnesses, and losses in tourism and fisheries. The AI system aims to provide early warnings, enabling faster sampling and response efforts. 
