Africa's Sole Hyperspectral Radiometric Buoy Deployed in Theewaterskloof Dam

South Africa's Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) has stationed a hyperspectral radiometric buoy in Theewaterskloof Dam, marking a substantial leap in aquatic biodiversity research. This unique instrument array will guide researchers in a more profound understanding of microalgae biodiversity and its role in sustaining the health of South Africa's drinking water dams' ecosystems.

The team plans to combine satellite data with in-water physical and chemical measurements for real-time microalgal diversity assessments. Beyond that, this approach will facilitate the early detection of potential toxic algal overgrowth, which could adversely affect water quality and ecosystem balance.

Dr Marie Smith, CSIR senior researcher, explained, "the instruments on the buoy enable precise measurements of underwater light field conditions and algal growth parameters, providing invaluable data for analysis." The deployment is part of the BioSCape project, an international collaborative endeavour funded by NASA, the South African National Space Agency, and the National Research Foundation, among others.

Over the next three months, the buoy, nicknamed "Gizmo," will remain stationed in the dam, with maintenance checks executed regularly. Notably, this buoy houses a hyperspectral underwater optical measurement system, a rarity in Africa. A second deployment is planned for the Walker Bay in 2024, primarily to support the aquaculture industry, affected by major toxic algae-related financial losses over the years.

To ensure continued monitoring and data collection, the CSIR team will collaborate with NASA researchers on fieldwork in several BioSCape target sites starting mid-October.