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May 22, 2026 at 4:47 pm

Scientists harness AI to discover a rise in algae across the global ocean

Researchers from the University of South Florida and NOAA have used artificial intelligence to analyze more than 1.2 million satellite images and identify global trends in floating algae.

The study found that floating algae blooms are increasing across the ocean. From 2003 to 2022, microalgal scum increased by around 1% per year, while macroalgal blooms increased by 13.4% per year in parts of the tropical Atlantic and western Pacific.

This is important because floating macroalgae such as Sargassum and Ulva can provide habitat and nursery areas for marine life. However, when large blooms reach coastal areas, they can also affect tourism, coastal economies, human health and marine ecosystems.

The research highlights how AI and satellite monitoring can help scientists better understand long-term changes in ocean ecosystems.

Source: University of South Florida, College of Marine Science
Link: https://www.usf.edu/marine-science/news/2026/scientists-harness-ai-to-discover-a-rise-in-floating-algae-across-the-global-ocean.aspx

  • Georgi

    May 23, 2026 at 10:18 am

    This is both fascinating and a bit worrying. Using AI to analyze over a million satellite images is insane progress. The fact algae blooms are increasing this fast across entire ocean regions really shows how much marine ecosystems are changing right now.

  • Mykhailo

    July 2, 2026 at 3:40 pm

    This is important and interesting information. The integration of AI into big data analysis, such as satellite imagery, is an effective solution that significantly increases productivity. We also plan to more actively use AI methods in our satellite monitoring programs. Unlike the authors of the original study, we plan to analyze the growth rate and distribution of microphyte algae, rather than macrophyte algae.

  • Hanna

    September 2, 2026 at 9:52 am

    Hello. I’m not an algae expert; I represent a non-governmental organization that works on environmental issues. Since I lack sufficient knowledge of biology, hydrology, and ecology, I often have to use AI in my work. This leads to erroneous and even paradoxical results. The errors made by AI aren’t always easy to spot, especially for a non-expert.

  • Valeriy

    September 2, 2026 at 6:42 pm

    Hello, colleagues. We also used large-scale language models (LML) for some aspects of our analysis of a large dataset on the distribution of green algae in Ukrainian waters. This tool allowed us to discover some previously unnoticed patterns.

    • This reply was modified 1 week, 6 days ago by  Valeriy.

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