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Monitoring Cyanobacteria in Rhode Island Lakes and Ponds Using Satellite Remote Sensing-Year 3
Citation:
Keith, D. AND B. Zalewsky. Monitoring Cyanobacteria in Rhode Island Lakes and Ponds Using Satellite Remote Sensing-Year 3. 2021 HAB Monitoring and Response Meeting, NA, Virtual, May 25, 2021.
Impact/Purpose:
An element of SSWR Task 4.3.1 and SSWR Task 4.3.3 is to test and develop algorithms using spectral bands specific to the European Space Agency Sentinel 2A and Sentinel 2B Multispectral Instrument (MSI) with a spatial resolution of 10 m and continue HAB characterization using the Ocean Land Color Instrument (OLCI) on Sentinel 3. The MSI sensor is optimally oriented to determine phytoplankton and cyanobacteria pigment absorption features in smaller waterbodies which can then be used to estimate the presence and abundance of chlorophyll a (chl a) and phycocyanin. Chlorophyll a concentrations are used as a proxy for phytoplankton biomass, as an indicator of increased anthropogenic nutrient stress and as an indicator of cyanobacteria blooms. In this study, we have successfully used spectral data to estimate chlorophyll a and cyanobacteria concentrations using three of the eleven spectral bands of the MSI. We used this approach to forecast the seasonal spatial and temporal variability of chl a and cyanobacteria cell counts for 29 reservoirs and recreational ponds in Rhode Island on a frequent basis during Summer 2021. Cyanobacteria abundance will be estimated from the Cyanobacteria Index (CI) using spectral data from the Sentinel 2A and 2B spacecraft. The impact of this research is that we will have shown that high resolution satellite data, produced frequently can be used in an operational mode to provide routine monitoring information for estimating water quality for freshwater ponds, lakes and drinking water reservoirs at the spatial scales required for monitoring by the RI Department of Environmental Management and The RI Department of Health. When integrated with long established nutrient datasets, opportunities are created to temporally examine historical changes in land cover/land use with coincident impacts on freshwater systems and forecast surface water quality in response to land use at spatial scales previously not available.
Description:
Under certain conditions, cyanobacteria can experience rapid growth (blooms) and may produce toxins, which when released into surrounding waters can potentially cause health risks for wildlife, pets, livestock and humans. Working cooperatively, the Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) and Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (RIDEM) detect and respond to cyanobacteria blooms, evaluate potential public risks, and when needed, issue recreational/health/advisories to notify the public of health concerns. This presentation proposes a collaborative effort between EPA/CEMM/Atlantic Coastal Environmental Science Division (ACESD), RIDOH, and RIDEM to monitor cyanobacteria blooms and abundance from the high spatial resolution capabilities (10 m) of the Multispectral Instrument on the European Space Agency Sentinel 2A and 2B and Operational Land Imager on Landsat 8 spacecraft during Spring, Summer and Autumn 2021. Because of the high spatial (10 m) and temporal (every 5 days) resolution capabilities of the Sentinel 2 satellites and the high spatial (30 m) and monthly resolution of Landsat 8, we were successful in monitoring waterbodies on weekly to biweekly basis for 29 of the 32 reservoirs and ponds from May through October 2019. Once the results are validated, the Sentinel 2 satellites will be able to provide no cost and year round data for chlorophyll and cyanobacteria monitoring.