Abstract

Since 2018, CLS has been developing a Sargassum Monitoring service based on satellite imagery and drift modelling available through a web-based interface. Over the years, substantial improvements have been made with an increase in the number of satellites used, a better handling of detection artifacts, most notably in coastal waters and a better parameterization of the sargassum mat drift. However, the information provided is somewhat qualitative. Users have highlighted the need for more quantitative information to help them with their contingency planning activities such as the installation of barriers, the removal of beached algae, deployment of collection at sea, or business planning. The ESA funded Save project aims to address this by improving area estimation of mats and getting a handle on the raft thickness. The team will start by comparing detection from Copernicus Sentinel 3, Sentinel 2 and NOAA Aqua acquisitions with VHR optical data which will be used as ground truth. SOS Carbon and Rum & Sargassum will contribute by conducting In-situ campaigns with a standardized protocol to collect information on sargassum mats depth and algae density within. Combined with the area information, the intention is to provide users with reliable Sargassum mat volume information that will be made available on a daily basis in SAMTool. Reliable information will also serve to validate carbon credits from sargassum and other user benefits.