A detention pond at Reynolds Plantation near Greensboro, Ga., experiences an algal bloom. (Credit: Susan Wilde/UGA)

A detention pond at Reynolds Plantation near Greensboro, Ga., experiences an algal bloom. Credit: Susan Wilde/UGA

Researchers at the University of Georgia are developing a neighborhood watch system for Georgia waters called CyanoTRACKER. The early warning system will use social media platforms and cloud computing to crowdsource instances where further monitoring of algae conditions may be necessary. The project will use Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram to help identify localized blooms at lakes and ponds across Georgia.

The online tools will complement remote sensing of cyanobacteria outbreaks. Data from social media sites and the project website, will be compiled, checked against sensor data or investigated further.

To share information, people can upload a picture of a lake or pond to the CyanoTRACKER Facebook page or Tweet it with the hashtag #cyanotracker. Read more.