Abstract
An integrated approach for quantifying cyanotoxins was investigated using satellite remote sensing with molecular and chemical tools in Lake Erie. Remotely sensed satellite-based water color measurements with Medium Resolution Imaging Spectrometer (MERIS) were compared with in situ measurements of cyanobacteria pigments, M. aeruginosa populations (total and microcystin-producing subpopulation), and microcystin (MC) concentrations. Water samples were collected from a popular Headlands Beach in Lake Erie during the summer of 2010. The quantitative anomaly of cyanobacterial blooms between the two phycocyanin (PC) measurements demonstrated a good correlation (MERIS vs. in situ, r=0.84). PC was a better harmful cyanobacteria indicator than chlorophyll-a and correlated significantly with M. aeruginosa population (P<0.05). MC was detected in 33.8% of the samples and temporal pattern demonstrated that spikes of mcyA and PC occurred prior to MC peaks. Successful analysis within the 1 km nearshore region was another remarkable finding, which may be applicable for smaller water bodies.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
