You are here:
Shubael Pond Phytoplankton and Cyanobacteria Dynamics Using Sentinel 2 Satellites
Citation:
Keith, D. Shubael Pond Phytoplankton and Cyanobacteria Dynamics Using Sentinel 2 Satellites. Nutrient SDR Stakeholder Meeting, NA, RI, October 12, 2022.
Impact/Purpose:
Cyanobacterial harmful algal blooms (cyanoHAB) cause human and ecological health problems worldwide. The timely distribution of satellite derived cyanoHAB satellite data and products is required for adaptive water quality management decision-making and for targeted deployment of existing government and non-government water quality monitoring resources. Using data from the Multispectral Instrument (MSI) found on the European Space Agency Sentinel 2A and Sentinel 2B satellites, we estimated the abundance of chlorophyll a and phycocyanin in Shubael Pond. 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. From this information, we were able to forecast the seasonal spatial and temporal variability of chlorophyll a and phycocyanin. In this study, we have shown that high resolution satellite data can be used in an operational mode to provide monitoring information for estimating water quality for freshwater ponds, lakes and drinking water reservoirs at the spatial scales required by environmental agencies and managers. 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:
Harmful algal blooms are increasing in frequency, intensity, and geographic range. Potential impacts from blooms and associated toxins include health risks to human, pets, livestock, wildlife, and other biota; restricted recreational activities; increased treatment costs; and decreased economic revenue. Harmful algal blooms are complex ecological processes that are affected by various conditions (i.e., physical, chemical, biological, hydrological, and meteorological) and therefore are difficult to predict. The research described here focuses on monitoring phytoplankton and cyanobacteria blooms in Shubael Pond, Massachusetts.