The limnology and spectral behaviour of a freshwater lake at Harmony Point, Nelson Island, Antarctica

The present study investigates the effect of limnology on the spectral reflectance of a freshwater lake, located in an ice-free area in the Antarctic Peninsula. Field-collected samples generated limnological and spectral parameters. This fact indicates that the studied lake has an ultra-oligotrophic/oligotrophic nature based on chlorophyll a (chl a), which registered concentrations below 3 mu g l(-1) with no total suspended solids, almost neutral pH and transparency equalled by depth. The water spectral behaviour in each sampling station indicates that the benthic characteristics of the lake have a strong influence as the reflectance at the 705 nm wavelength being greater than that at 583 nm signals the presence of soil and/or vegetation at its bottom. Hence, it is believed that the orbital sensors with spectral bands focused on regions between the green and red edge, such as the MultiSpectral Instrument (MSI) sensor, may present better results for distinguishing the different bottom types found in the research area.

Automated summary

This study investigates the effect of limnology on the spectral reflectance of a freshwater lake in the Antarctic Peninsula. The lake is classified as ultra-oligotrophic/oligotrophic based on chlorophyll a concentration. The benthic characteristics strongly influence water spectral behavior, with reflectance at 705 nm wavelength greater than at 583 nm, indicating presence of soil and/or vegetation at lake bottom.