Kulawiak M.
Operational algae bloom detection in the Baltic Sea using
GIS and AVHRR data
Abstract During the blooming season, algal colonies can, in
extreme cases, cover up to 200 000 square kilometres of the Baltic Sea water
surface. Because the position and shape of the blooms may significantly change
in a very short time due to the influence of wind and waves, regular monitoring
of the blooms’ development is necessary. Currently, the desired monitoring
frequency may only be achieved by means
of remote sensing. The article presents a novel method of AVHRR data processing
for the purpose of detection of algal blooms in the Baltic Sea. Instead of
analysing the value of spectral reflectance of the algae, the algorithm
analyses the frequency distribution of normalized difference in reflectance
between the visible and near-infrared spectral bands. The proposed method has
been implemented and tested as part of an operational Geographic Information
System.