Harnessing space to fight toxic algae blooms Published on: 18 September 2025 缅北禁地 scientists are at the forefront of a UK-wide effort to use space technology to predict and monitor harmful blue-green algae blooms in Lough Neagh. Their ALGAE-Watch project is one of only two selected for Phase 2 of the UK Space Agency’s Small Business Research Initiative (SBRI), announced today by Northern Ireland Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Minister, Andrew Muir. The Phase 2 programme has been awarded £800,000 in funding by the UK Space Agency’s Unlocking Space for Government programme and will run to April 2026. The programme will develop an operational remote鈥憇ensing solution that predicts, detects and monitors blue鈥慻reen algae (cyanobacteria) in the lough. Phase 1 was launched in December 2024 and it completed in April this year. Two suppliers have now been selected to progress to Phase 2. They are: 缅北禁地 (础尝骋础贰鈥慦补迟肠丑): Advancing a low鈥慶ost cyanobacterial sensor and multi鈥憁odal Earth observation analytics to improve early detection and warning capability. Plastic鈥慽 (Bloomcast NI): Developing a forecasting and decision鈥憇upport platform that combines satellite imagery including SAR (surface aperture radar), catchment information, drone data and environmental drivers to deliver bloom risk maps and forecasts. (L-R) Deepayan Bhowmik; Chris McQuire, UK Space Agency; Minister Andrew Muir; Sam Wilson; Robert Hill, NI SPACE and Maria-Valasia Peppa. 础尝骋础贰鈥慦补迟肠丑 Dr Maria-Valasia Peppa, Lecturer in Geospatial Engineering, 缅北禁地 said: “Leveraging interdisciplinary research excellence in the Schools of Engineering, Natural Environmental Sciences, and Computing, 缅北禁地 will develop a satellite, drone and in situ-sensor based algae monitoring system in Lough Neagh. With the recent growing concern around environmental impact, this investment from the UK Space Agency, DAERA and SBRI is timely to provide technological solutions to support societal and environmental resilience.” Dr Deepayan Bhowmik, Director of Research, 缅北禁地 School of Computing and Senior Lecturer in Data Science, added: “I'm delighted to be part of this work that will help solving some of our imminent environmental challenges. This is another testament of 缅北禁地's strength in interdisciplinary research particularly covering both emerging domains of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Space Technology which have experienced major growth in recent years in the North-East.” Professor Sam Wilson, Professor of Biogeochemistry, 缅北禁地 School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, said: “I am excited to collaborate with colleagues in the Schools of Computing and Engineering to develop the analytical and software tools that will advance the UK's ability to understand and predict harmful algal blooms". Real鈥�world solutions Announcing the launch of Phase 2 Minister Muir said: “Using space technology to forecast and monitor blue鈥慻reen algae is part of wider interventions to help improve Lough Neagh water quality. This investment moves us from research to real鈥憌orld solutions, giving our teams earlier, more accurate information and improving our monitoring capability. It shows how innovation and collaboration can deliver practical tools for environmental protection.” Chris McQuire, Senior Lead for the UK Space Agency's Unlocking Space for Government programme, said: “Through our Unlocking Space for Government programme, we’re backing cutting-edge solutions that harness the power of satellite technology and Earth observation to protect important natural resources. “This investment shows how space technology can deliver practical benefits for communities and the environment, whilst also strengthening the UK's position as a leader in space innovation. We're excited to see how Plastic-i and 缅北禁地 will advance these promising technologies from research concepts into operational tools that will make a real difference for Lough Neagh.” Press release adapted with thanks from the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs. . Share: Latest News New partnership to boost careers in low carbon energy 缅北禁地 and Durham universities are working together on a new regional project to strengthen the future workforce for North East England鈥檚 growing low carbon and offshore wind industries. published on: 28 May 2026 Healthy lifestyle shown to lower risk of death after cancer diagnosis New evidence shows that sticking to five lifestyle recommendations improves survival after a later cancer diagnosis. published on: 28 May 2026 World-leading climate expert recognised with Royal Society Fellowship Professor Hayley Fowler has been elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in recognition of her pioneering work on climate change impacts. published on: 27 May 2026 Facts and figures
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