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Title: A POTENTIAL TOOL FOR ESTIMATING CHLOROPHYLL CONCENTRATION IN LAKES AND RESERVOIRS

Author
item AVARD, M - SOUTHEASTERN OK ST UNIV
item SCHIEBE, F - SST DEV GROUP STLWATER OK
item Everitt, James

Submitted to: Journal of Freshwater Ecology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/15/2000
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: Improved techniques are needed to assess water parameters. Over the past decade, airborne video imaging systems have emerged as remote sensing tools because of their multispectral capabilities and the near-real-time imagery they provide. A pilot study was conducted in flood retention reservoirs in Oklahoma watersheds to test multispectral videography to assess chlorophyll lconcentration. Results showed that video cameras equipped with narrowband filters had considerable potential for estimating chlorophyll-a concentration. These findings should be of interest to environmental managers and consultants.

Technical Abstract: Airborne video cameras equipped with narrowband filters were used to assess chlorophyll-a concentration in flood retention reservoirs in the Little Washita watershed in Oklahoma. The video data was analyzed in three steps: raw data, data after calibration, and reflectance data. Results indicate that airborne video imaging of reservoirs has a great deal of potential and dmay have far-reaching effects in lake management strategies.