SONIC BUOY

We are excited to announce the LG Sonic Buoy was deployed on July 23, 2025 in Middle Pond!

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Due to increased occurrences of toxic cyanobacterial blooms, a type of harmful algal bloom (HAB), Chilmark Pond Foundation explored various methods to reduce HABs and improve water quality.  It was concluded that the LG Sonic MPC-Buoy is the most proven and effective choice for the pond’s conditions. The LG Sonic MPC-Buoy can reduce HABs by up to 90%. The technology has been used in more than 100 countries, including many sites in the United States, for more than ten years. The device monitors various water quality parameters and deploys unique sonic waves to control blooms when it senses their growth. It transmits real-time data to a cloud-based platform and allows remote monitoring and control. The device works by sensing cyanobacteria as they rise to the surface. Its ultrasound waves target the cyanobacteria affecting the algae’s buoyancy and fixing them in the water column. As a result, the algae cannot gather sufficient light to photosynthesize so they die and sink to the pond bottom where they are further degraded by other members of the ecosystem. The device’s ultrasound technology adapts as conditions change and it is powered by solar panels.

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In addition to reducing HABs, the MPC-Buoy will improve the pond’s ecological health by increasing water clarity and biological oxygen by shifting the community from harmful cyanobacteria to harmless forms of phytoplankton. This will allow other healthy organisms and micro-organisms to compete more effectively with the cyanobacteria, helping to restore ecological balance.

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Additional information can be found at the LG Sonic website.