Water Quality Monitoring of Large European Lakes Using Meris Full Resolution Data

In order to complement present water quality monitoring of large lakes, we have attempted to make use of satellite imagery. In addition to ocean color sensors SeaWiFS and MODIS, lately MERIS images also became available. Here we analyze 18 almost cloud free full resolution atmospherically corrected MERIS images over the large European lakes Vättern, Vänern and Peipsi, where water type ranges from ultraoligotrophic to hypertrophic. MERIS images of each lake are also compared with SeaWiFS and MODIS images from the same day. Retrieved values of water leaving reflectance, chlorophyll a, suspended matter and absorption by dissolved organic are compared with in situ measurements and bio-optical model simulations. We show that MERIS atmospheric correction procedure and bands are more suitable to estimate water quality and especially chlorophyll concentrations than SeaWiFS and MODIS in these lakes.