Cyanobacteria Vertical Structure Variability in Western Lake Erie and its Impacts On Remote Sensing

Session: 61. - Remote Sensing, Visualization, and Spatial Data Applications for the Great Lakes

Karl Bosse, Michigan Tech Research Inst., [email protected]
Mike Sayers, Michigan Tech. Research Inst., [email protected]
Robert Shuchman, Michigan Technological University, [email protected]
Gary Fahnenstiel, Great Lakes Res Center/ Mich Tech Res Institute, Michigan Technological Univ, [email protected]
Steve Ruberg, NOAA - GLERL, [email protected]
David Fanslow, NOAA - GLERL, [email protected]
Dack Stuart, CIGLR, University of Michigan, [email protected]

Abstract

Remote sensing is commonly used to generate estimates of chlorophyll concentration and harmful algal bloom (HAB) severity for western Lake Erie. However, light penetration is limited due to the lake’s eutrophic nature, thus the water-leaving radiance observed by satellite sensors is predominantly emanating from the near-surface waters. This limits the ability to use remote sensing to make conclusions regarding the full water-column. An extensive multi-year FluoroProbe dataset was collected from June to October of 2015-2016 across nine stations in western Lake Erie. This dataset revealed significant variability in the vertical distribution of bluegreen algae across depths in the western basin with bluegreen algae tending to be mixed at shallower stations and more stratified at deeper stations. A significant relationship was also found between vertical structure and modeled wind speeds and wave heights, with greater wind speeds and increased wave heights leading to more mixed conditions. These findings could be used to generate a simple model of cyanobacteria vertical structure which when paired with remote sensing surface values would allow for full water-column estimates, such as basin-wide HAB biomass.

1. Keyword
remote sensing

2. Keyword
harmful algal blooms

3. Keyword
Lake Erie

4. Additional Keyword
FluoroProbe