b'FEATURE STORYThese images are more than cool to look at. When integrated with cell counts, water quality, wind and other meteorological information, the satellite data, and wind and other meteorological data, the satellite data form the foundation of fairly sophisticated forecasting models for not only red tides but also other types of algal blooms. Forecasting is a key value of this program, and forecast subscribers cross the public and private sectors, scientists, and beachgoers alike. NOAAs Harmful Algal BloomS Observing System (HABSOS) is an example of bringing all of that information together for environmental managers, scientists, and the public. 8 The University of South Florida has a nice page that explains these technologies and which is probably a better site for scientists than the public. University of South Florida:bit.ly/usf-iris An inconvenient limitation of satellite monitoring isK. brevis Cell Concentrations Jul 02 - Jul 10, 2018 that cloud cover can obscure the satellites view of theCredit: FWC Fish and Wildlife Research Institute and NASAwater. The satellite image (shown on the right) is from the July 12th HAB Bulletin for the Gulf of Mexico. 9 But for the beachgoer who wants to know where to swim in the near term, the cell counts and postings Technically called ensemble imagery, 10the dark redfrom public health officials are more valuable.coloration along the west coast is indicative of heavy chlorophyll signals due to high concentrations ofAs NOAA continues to accumulate years worth algae. The gray shading seen within the rectangle isof HAB bulletins and forecasts, while more local where Recent ensemble imagery (MODIS Aqua, 7/10)organizations compile water quality and cell count is obscured by clouds along the coast from Manateedata along the shores, these data storesand rapidly to southern Sarasota counties, preventing analysis ofevolving "big data" computing approacheswill that region. 9support more sophisticated modeling and forecasting. Thus from old to new, and cells to satellites, each of It is during these periods of high cloud obfuscationthese technologies has a role to play in the ongoing that it becomes apparent why the pairing of thebattle with red tides.satellite imagery with the cell count information is highly valuable. The cell counts must be relied upon for filling in the gaps created by the cloud cover.LEARN MORE: Of course cell counts cant cover the wideDr. Smith\'s Top 5 HAB Monitoring geographical range that the satellites can, and that information paired with the wind and current data, isQuestions: bit.ly/top5habimportant for understanding what may yet be coming to the shores of Florida (the forecasting value).STORY SURVEY:Another interesting thing to note is that sometimes the hotspots with the satellite imagery are speckledTell us how you felt about this with green dots (meaning no Karenia is present instory: YSI.com/MW-Surveythe cell count samples). This demonstrates another limitation of the satellite imagery:resolution.The spatial resolution for the satellite imagery is low, yet8 still highly valuable for understanding 9NOAA, Harmful Algal BloomS Observing SystemNOAA, Gulf of Mexico Harmful Algal Bloom BulletinJuly 12, 2018system-level patterns.10 NOAA, Gulf of Mexico Harmful Algal Bloom Bulletin GuideWhos Minding the Planet? 25'