Bloom watch is back: Ifremer scientists need your help!

Through the Phenomer 2.0 citizen science programme, members of the public, marine professionals and local organisations can help monitor microalgal blooms along the coastline.

Created by Ifremer, Phenomer 2.0 is dedicated to observing and studying discoloured waters associated with microalgal proliferations along the coast, commonly known as “blooms”. This citizen science initiative brings the public into the research process to help scientists better understand these natural phenomena and their impacts on marine ecosystems.

While blooms are naturally occurring events, some can have consequences for the environment, aquaculture and certain recreational activities. When they become more frequent, they may also signal an imbalance within the marine environment. Monitoring them is therefore an important priority for scientists.

A citizen science programme supporting research

Phenomer enables anyone who observes an episode of discoloured water at sea to report it and, whenever possible, collect a sample that can then be analysed by Ifremer scientists.

These citizen observations help to:

• Collect data on isolated events that are often short-lived and difficult to capture;
• Improve understanding of phytoplankton dynamics, particularly those involving potentially toxic species;
• Contribute to research into the impacts of climate change and eutrophication on marine ecosystems.

Why monitor these phenomena?

Discoloured waters, foams and green surface accumulations observed at sea can be signs of an imbalance within the marine ecosystem.

Often unpredictable and short-lived, these events can be difficult to detect through conventional scientific monitoring networks alone. Reports submitted by members of the public therefore play a valuable role in improving coastal surveillance.

These observations may also be linked to the presence of toxic microalgae, rising sea temperatures or other environmental changes.

How can you take part?

If you observe anything unusual at sea or along the coastline — red, green or foamy water, for example — you can quickly report it via the Phenomer mobile app or website.

A few simple steps:

• Take a photograph;
• Record the location of the phenomenon observed (automatically through the app);
• If possible, collect a sample using any container that has first been rinsed three times in the discoloured water;
• Drop off the sample at the nearest local collection point.

What are the reports and samples used for?

The data collected help to:

• Alert scientists to an ongoing event and, where a sample has been collected, enable analysis once it has been deposited at a local collection point;
• Feed a national open-access database dedicated to discoloured water events;
• Advance scientific knowledge and improve the prevention of ecological risks, including shellfish contamination by toxins and ecosystem imbalances linked to eutrophication.

What do participants receive in return?

Contributors benefit from:

• Regular updates on their reports, including maps, analyses and results;
• Opportunities to exchange with a network of local coordinators and scientists;
• Access to a wide range of information and educational resources on phytoplankton and microalgae through the Phenomer website.

Why get involved?

• Because science needs ocean sentinels;
• Because we protect what we understand;
• Because the sea is a shared resource.