Remote sensing as a tool for monitoring Paranoá Lake's water quality (Brasília, Brazil)

ABSTRACT:

This study has tested a remote sensing method for evaluating the trophic level of an urban reservoir (Paranoá Lake) in Brasilia City (Brazil) aiming at water quality monitoring. Four limnological periods of Paranoá Lake were analyzed after the reservoir-undergone eutrophication as a result of excessive domestic sewage discharge. Data on total phosphorus, chlorophyll-a , water transparency and processed Landsat TM 5 images were used to assess reservoir trophic levels. These data were correlated to limnological data, and maps containing parameter values for the reservoir were produced. By using the Carlson's Trophic State Index, new maps were produced by means of assessing the trophic state of Paranoá Lake for each analyzed limnological period. The tested method and proceedings have shown to be appropriate for water quality monitoring, since they reproduced the changes that water reservoir experienced after eutrophication.

Keywords:
trophic state; limnological monitoring; eutrophication