Monitoring cyanoHABs and water quality in Laguna Lake (Philippines) with Sentinel-2 satellites during the 2020 Pacific typhoon season

• Published in: The Science of the total environment Vol. 788; p. 147700
• Main Authors: Caballero, Isabel, Navarro, Gabriel
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 20.09.2021
• Subjects: aquaculture; chlorophyll; Copernicus programme; cost effectiveness; environment; eutrophication; freshwater lakes; Google Earth Engine; Harmful algal blooms; Internet; Philippines; poisonous algae; rapid methods; Remote sensing; satellites; socioeconomics; suspended sediment; Typhoons; Water quality; Harmful algal blooms; Typhoons; Google Earth Engine; Copernicus programme; Remote sensing; Water quality
• ISSN: 0048-9697; 1879-1026; 1879-1026
• DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.147700

Laguna Lake, the largest freshwater lake in the Philippines, is permanently subject to nutrient-driven eutrophication and pollution and experiences harmful algal blooms (cyanoHABs) periodically with serious socio-economic implications. The aim of this study is to evaluate the suitability of the Sentinel-2 imagery of the European Commission's Copernicus Earth Observation programme for lake monitoring during the 2020 Pacific typhoon season (September–November 2020). The Case-2 Regional CoastColour processor is used to atmospherically correct Level 1 data and generate water quality parameters, such as chlorophyll-a (Chl-a) and total suspended matter (TSM) at 10 m. Results show that Super Typhoon Goni and Typhoon Vamco delivered high suspended sediment loads to the reservoir at concentrations above 170 g/m3 compared to pre-storm situations (0–35 g/m3). The typhoons also affect Chl-a, with a mean concentration of 10 mg/m3 and 30 mg/m3 for pre- and post-typhoons, respectively. In addition, the normalized difference chlorophyll index (NDCI) is used in the Google Earth Engine platform for near-real time monitoring of cyanoHABs at 20 m spatial resolution. Satellite maps are key for detecting the distribution of the blooms due to the patchiness of the green algae species, which usually form scum and elongated slicks in the lake. Maximum records of bloom detection during the study period occur in the Central Bay, one of the lake sections with major aquaculture and fisheries activities. The Sentinel-2 mission improves synoptic mapping of cyanoHABs and enables trends in their extent and severity to be documented. These available methods provide an essential tool for rapid detection after extreme events and for regular water quality monitoring, which will assist and benefit the cost-effective management of Laguna Lake. [Display omitted] •Sentinel-2A/B twin satellites allow monitoring of Laguna Lake at a resolution of 10–20 m.•The impact of Super Typhoon Goni and Typhoon Vamco 2020 on water quality is evaluated.•Suspended matter and chlorophyll-a concentration increased after the passage of both typhoons.•Small and patchy cyanobacteria blooms usually peaked in the Central Bay.•Detailed detection of heterogeneous algal blooms can improve lake-ecosystem management.