Submitting Campus

Daytona Beach

Student Status

Graduate

Archival Class Information

College of Engineering

Advisor Name

Dr. Kevin Adkins

Abstract/Description

Harmful algal blooms (HABs) threaten aquatic ecosystems, public health, and tourism and fishing industries throughout the United States, including Florida. Because HABs can develop and spread rapidly, geographically representative sampling efforts can be very difficult and labor-intensive, and traditional monitoring methods, such as satellite-based remote sensing, often lack the spatiotemporal resolution needed to characterize bloom dynamics. This project, funded by the Environmental Protection Agency (Grant No. 05D36825), aims to develop an uncrewed aircraft (UA)-based water and aerosol sampling approach to improve HAB monitoring and support prediction and mitigation efforts. One year into our funding period, we have integrated a multi-depth, discrete water sampling device with a UA and developed a UA-compatible aerosol sampling device to investigate airborne particles associated with HABs. We tested these sampling devices during a HAB event at Palmo Boat Ramp in August 2026. The resulting water samples showed extremely elevated microcystin (toxin) levels, but the aerosol samples did not contain enough microcystin to be detectable using an ELISA assay. Future work requires refining the aerosol sampler to improve toxin detection, potentially by increasing the volume of air passed through the filters. We ultimately hope to test these devices at Lake Okeechobee during a HAB event.

Document Type

Poster

Publication/Presentation Date

10-9-2026

Location

Daytona Beach, FL

Grant or Award Name

Environmental Protection Agency under Grant No. 05D36825

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