University of Zimbabwe, Department of Biological Sciences, Box MP 167, Harare, Zimbabwe; University of Zimbabwe, Department of Geography and Environmental Science, Box MP 167, Harare, Zimbabwe; University of Zimbabwe, Department of Civil Engineering, Box MP 167, Harare, Zimbabwe
Chawira, M., University of Zimbabwe, Department of Biological Sciences, Box MP 167, Harare, Zimbabwe; Dube, T., University of Zimbabwe, Department of Geography and Environmental Science, Box MP 167, Harare, Zimbabwe; Gumindoga, W., University of Zimbabwe, Department of Civil Engineering, Box MP 167, Harare, Zimbabwe
Lakes Chivero and Manyame. Lakes Chivero and Manyame are amongst Zimbabwe's most polluted inland water bodies. MEdium Resolution Imaging Spectrometry level 1b full resolution imagery for 2011 and 2012 were used to derive chlorophyll-a (chl_a) and phycocyanin (blue-green algae) concentrations using a semi-empirical band ratio model; total suspended matter (TSM) concentrations were derived from the MERIS processor. In-situ measured chl_a was used to validate the remotely sensed values. Results indicate that remote sensing measurements are comparable with in situ measurements. A strong positive correlation (R2=0.91; MAE=2.75mg/m3 (8.5%)) and p<0.01 (highly significant)) between measured and modeled chl_a concentrations was obtained. Relationships between optically active water constituents were assessed. Measured chl_a correlated well with MERIS modeled phycocyanin (PC) concentration (R2=0.9458; p<0.01 (highly significant)) whilst chl_a and TSM gave (R2=0.7344; p<0.05 (significant)). Modeled TSM and PC concentrations manifested a good relationship with each other (R2=9047; p<0.001 (very highly significant)). We conclude that remote sensing data allow simultaneous retrieval of different water quality parameters as well as providing near real time and space results that can be used by water managers and policy makers to monitor water bodies. © 2013 Elsevier Ltd.
Blue green algae; Chl_a; MERIS; Positive correlations; Total suspended matter; TSM; Water quality monitoring; Water quality parameters; Algae; Eutrophication; Image reconstruction; Lakes; Space optics; Water quality; Remote sensing; chlorophyll a; cyanobacterium; eutrophication; image resolution; in situ measurement; lake water; MERIS; remote sensing; spatiotemporal analysis; water quality; Lake Chivero; Zimbabwe; Chlorophyta