Lough Neagh blue-green algae blooms could be predicted with Satellite technology

Lough Neagh algae spread from space
-Credit: (Image: Reach Publishing Services Limited)


Space technology solutions are being sought to predict and monitor blue-green algae blooms on Lough Neagh and other NI waterways. The UK Space Agency, NI Space and DAERA have announced £360k in funding for potential satellite applications and remote sensing solutions from small businesses.

It follows a second year in which blue-green algae devastated Lough Neagh and other water bodies because of high nutrient levels in NI waters coupled with rising temperatures caused by the climate crisis.

While algal blooms tend be seasonal, they can occur at any time of the year. Footage taken from the skies last year showed how algae had spread across Lough Neagh.

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The Small Business Research Initiative competition aims to harness satellite, space-based technologies and services with aquatic applications to observe and predict 'blooms' and inform and drive up adoption of space data, technology and services within the public sector to improve public services, decision making and protect Lough Neagh.

Robert Hill, NI SPACE cluster manager, said: "Satellites can give us a unique perspective and provide us with a rich layer of information to add to our existing knowledge and understanding of environmental ecosystems. This SBRI competition will help us to support public sector and business community interaction and collaboration to develop new products, services and solutions in relation to the Blue Green Algae issue."

This SBRI competition is funded by the UK Space Agency's Unlocking Space for Government programme, on behalf of NI SPACE and DAERA.

DAERA Minister, Andrew Muir said: "It is great to be able to involve space and satellite technologies to assist us in understanding and managing water quality in the Lough. I look forward to seeing how this SBRI competition can complement the work already being undertaken in the Executive’s Lough Neagh Action Plan.

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"My officials are pleased to be working with NI SPACE and UK Space Agency in realising the potential of this technology to help solve real-life issues."

Economy Minister, Conor Murphy added: "I welcome this SBRI exploring how space data can help us to tackle the challenge of protecting Lough Neagh and the environment. I particularly welcome that the UK Space Agency is collaborating with partners in the North to encourage growth in the space sector and support sustainability."

This SBRI competition is open to all eligible organisations, registered in the UK, EU and the European Economic Area that can demonstrate a route to market for their solution.

Information on how to submit an expression of interest please is available here. UKSA is the contracting body in the procurement while the competition process is being managed on its behalf by the Strategic Investment Board.

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