Optical characterization of two cyanobacteria genera, Aphanizomenon and Microcystis, with hyperspectral microscopy.

Cyanobacterial blooms are a nuisance and a potential hazard in freshwater
systems worldwide. Remote sensing has been used to detect cyanobacterial
blooms, but few studies have distinguished between genera of cyanobacteria.
Because some genera are more likely to be toxic than others, this is a useful
distinction.In this study, hyperspectral imaging reflectance microscopy was used
to examine cyanobacteria from Upper Klamath Lake, Oregon, USA, at high spatial
and spectral resolution to determine if two species found commonly in the lake,
Aphanizomenon flos-aquae and Microcystis aeruginosa, can be separated
spectrally. Of the analytical methods applied, a spectral shape algorithm applied
to the derivative was found to be most successful in classifying these species
in microscope scenes. Further work is required to determine if the spectral
characterization of cyanobacterial genera can be scaled up to other remote
sensing applications.