An official website of the United States government.

This is not the current EPA website. To navigate to the current EPA website, please go to www.epa.gov. This website is historical material reflecting the EPA website as it existed on January 19, 2021. This website is no longer updated and links to external websites and some internal pages may not work. More information »

Monitoring & Remote Sensing

Monitoring studies at Harsha Lake in Ohio

New technologies are changing the way we monitor pollution in the environment. EPA is studying innovative technologies for measuring nutrient pollution in the water and air using satellites, portable and ground remote sensors, and measurement and model data. These technologies enhance current monitoring activities and provide faster and more cost-effective information on nutrients and other pollutants that affect water quality. For example, the duration and frequency of harmful algal blooms, which trend during warm weather months, is one indicator of poor water quality. Having the ability to monitor and provide timely response to harmful algal blooms would be one step toward protecting water quality.

Research Activities