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

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 Coast Colour 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/m(3) compared to pre-storm situations (0-35 g/m(3)). The typhoons also affect Chl-a, with a mean concentration of 10 mg/m(3) and 30 mg/m(3) 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 cyano HABs 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 regularwater quality monitoring, which will assist and benefit the cost-effective management of Laguna Lake. (C) 2021 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier B.V.

Automated summary

The study evaluated the suitability of Sentinel-2 imagery and the Google Earth Engine platform for monitoring the water quality and harmful algal blooms in Laguna Lake in the Philippines. Results showed that the lake water quality was affected by typhoons during the typhoon season, highlighting the importance of these tools for lake management.