Development of a macroalgal biomass sensor for an integrated multi-trophic aquaculture (IMTA) system

This article presents the initial development of a biomass sensor to monitor the growth of macroalgae (seaweeds) in the Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture (IMTA) at Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute at Florida Atlantic University. The sensor utilizes a combined optical/acoustic means to quantify the seaweed biomass. Such configuration ensures the sensor providing robust coverage under different ambient conditions and biomass densities. After the biomass sensor’s performance has been validated in the lab environment, we deployed the sensor at the macroalgal seaweed cultivation raceway to quantify the seaweed density. The data processing procedures are documented, and the field test results are presented. Finally, the advantages and disadvantages of this approach and future application of the sensor to drive a machine learning-based prediction biomass model are discussed.