Remote sensing of particulate organic carbon dynamics in a eutrophic lake (Taihu Lake, China)

A two step approach was developed to estimate POC concentrations in a shallow eutrophic lake, where dissolved carbon and inorganic particulate matter strongly influence optical properties. The approach was based on the identification of a co-variability of POC concentrations with one or more inherent optical properties (IOPs). In the present case, a relationship between POC and absorption at 620 nm was identified and was combined with a reflectance based algorithm for case II waters. Compared with other published POC algorithms, this approach provided better estimates over a wide range of POC concentrations in two hypereutrophic lake waters with the predominance of cyanobacteria (R(2) > 0.80). While it is unlikely that a single POC algorithm can be created that is independent of the variability of POC sources, this approach allows for a common method to identify appropriate algorithms with which POC dynamics can be explored.