Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Optimal Algorithms For Deriving Estimates Of Phytoplankton Biomass In Lakes From Landsat Satellite Imagery, Michael A. Dallosch

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

The frequency, intensity, and geographical distribution of harmful phytoplankton blooms are on the rise globally. There is a scientific need for estimates of historical and current phytoplankton data. This research develops mathematical algorithms for accurate assessment of surface chlorophyll-a (chl-a), a proxy for phytoplankton biomass, within freshwater lakes. Landsat satellite images (4-5 TM, 7 ETM and 8 OLI) were used to create predictive models (from 1984 to 2017) for seven ecoregions (ranging from the tropics to arctic). Correlation tests for 82 algorithms were conducted to establish the best fit models (linear, exponential, logarithmic, power) for chl-a …