Remote Sensing of Inland Waters

Abstract

This study presents a remote sensing approach for monitoring inland waters exemplified for the Mecklenburg Lake District, Germany. From airborne hyperspectral remote sensing data the relevant parameters Secchi depth, chlorophyll concentration, and phycocyanin concentration are derived. Based on 38 independent in situ reference measurements regression models are established, transferred to airborne data of three different dates, and validated with additional reference measurements. After this regional calibration the models can be used continuingly without the need of further water sampling. The remote sensing data for the first time supply a synoptic and spatial overview of the concentration distributions of the water parameters in the Mecklenburg Lake District. Therewith, an instrument is being provided to plan the more intensive in situ measurements more effectively over space and time.