AI reveals invasion of floating algae in ocean

The oceans are facing an unprecedented expansion of floating algae blooms, a rapidly growing phenomenon driven by changes in sea temperatures, currents and the release of nutrients linked to human activities. This is what emerges from first global study on the presence and spread of surface algae, conducted by researchers from University of South Florida (Usf) and the Noaa (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) and published in the journal ‘Nature Communications’.

The researchers employed advanced artificial intelligence models and supercomputers to process a corpus of approx 1.2 million satellite images taken between 2003 and 2022. The results highlight a real ecological regime change: the global ocean is transforming into an environment increasingly favorable to the proliferation of extensive ‘mats’ of macroalgae and the spread of microalgae on the surface.

The numbers of AI in the oceans

The cumulative surface area covered by microalgae blooms has reached i 43.8 million square kilometers, while in regions such as the tropical Atlantic and western Pacific macroalgae grew at an average rate of 13.4% per year, with a marked acceleration observed starting from 2008-2010.

“Before 2008, no large macroalgae blooms were reported except in the Sargasso Sea – he explains Chuanmin Hu, professor of oceanography at USF and one of the lead authors of the research – on a global scale we are witnessing the transition from an ocean poor in macroalgae to an extremely rich one.”

Damage to coasts and fisheries

The consequences of this phenomenon are twofold. While in the open sea masses of floating algae can play a beneficial role by creating habitats and shelter areas for various marine species, the main problems occur when enormous quantities of biomass reach the coasts. The decomposition of beached algae produces toxic and smelly miasmas, suffocates coastal ecosystems, damages fishing activities, paralyzes tourism and causes serious economic losses to coastal communities. The scholars now intend to use the artificial intelligence models developed to refine continuous monitoring and prevent the territorial impacts of these green and golden tides.