Space-based water quality and light field prediction to support coastal aquaculture operations.

Supervisors: 

David Mckee, Physics, (University of Strathclyde)

Sofie Spatharis, School of Biodiversity, One Health & Veterinary Medicine

 

Summary

Aquaculture in coastal waters is critically dependent on water quality. Satellite remote sensing has the potential to provide water quality on unprecedented spatio-temporal scales but is currently hampered by fundamental limitations including atmospheric correction and algorithm failure in turbid waters. This project will extend a new approach that directly addresses and overcomes these limitations to provide a new level of high quality water quality information in optically complex coastal waters. We will use this information to assess the potential to determine harmful algal blooms and light field availability for photosynthesis using state of the art modelling approaches. We will focus research on a set of existing aquaculture sites to ensure immediate impact and synergy with other projects currently being developed with these partners.

In addition to generic skills development such as project management and science communication, training opportunities for this project include: processing satellite data, machine learning skills, modelling and fieldwork for calibration and validation.