In a significant step toward restoring water quality, the Chilmark Pond Foundation has installed the ultrasonic buoys in the middle section of Chilmark Pond, a 200-acre waterbody on Martha’s Vineyard known for recurring cyanobacteria blooms.
Approved by the town’s conservation commission earlier this year, the buoy was launched on July 23. Program director Emily Reddington expressed optimism about its potential:
“The buoy is in place and it is collecting data every 30 minutes and transmitting it so we can see the data in real time on our computers,” she said. “It’s a great first step.”
This marks the first deployment of ultrasonic technology in Massachusetts. The MPC-Buoy uses environmentally friendly sound wave technology to disrupt harmful algal blooms by affecting their buoyancy, preventing them from reaching sunlight and thereby reducing their ability to photosynthesize. By combining real-time monitoring and algae control, the system offers a proactive approach to protecting the pond’s ecosystem. Comparing data from the buoy with long-term research, the foundation aims to track improvements in cyanobacteria levels.
“In order to measure impact, before, during and after launch, we’ll have to see how the cyanobacteria population and the rest of the phytoplankton do,” Ms. Reddington said. “Is it consistent? Does it follow the same trend of previous years or is there an inflection point where it decreases?”
Ease of Installation
The foundation selected the MPC-Buoy based on its ease of installation and proven success in similar applications worldwide. As a flagship installation in the region, this project may serve as a scalable solution for other waterbodies across the Island.
“[…] it could prove to be a solution to many ponds on the Island and in the region,” Ms. Reddington said.
With advanced technology and a strong foundation of data, Chilmark Pond is now equipped with a powerful tool in the fight against harmful algal blooms, offering new hope for the future health of this treasured ecosystem.
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