In recent decades, the rapid expansion of phytoplankton blooms caused by lake eutrophication has led to severe ecological destruction and impeded the sustainable economic development of local regions. Chlorophyll-a (Chl-a) is commonly used as a biological indicator to detect phytoplankton blooms due to its ease of detection. To improve the accuracy of Chl-a estimation in aquatic systems, an accurate understanding of its true spectral characteristics is imperative. In this study, a comprehensive and realistic experimental scheme was designed from the perspective of real algal strains and real water states. Both in situ and laboratory-based hyperspectral data were collected and analyzed. The results show that there are huge spectral differences not only between laboratory-cultured and real algae strains, but also between static and disturbed water surface conditions. A total of ten different categories of spectral characteristics were selected in both disturbed and static states. Then, six parameters with the best models to the Chl-a concentration were identified. Finally, two linear models of the Chl-a concentration at peaks of 810 nm and 700 nm were identified as the best estimation models for the static and disturbed states, respectively. The results provide a scientific reference for the large-scale retrieval of the Chl-a concentration using satellite remote sensing data. This advancement benefits inland water monitoring and management efforts.
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