New paper on satellite monitoring of algal blooms in Western Lake Ontario

In a new paper published in Science of The Total Environment, Ali Reza Shahvaran and co‐authors demonstrate the power of Landsat 8 and 9 imagery for mapping chlorophyll‑a concentrations and tracking algal bloom dynamics in Western Lake Ontario over an 11‑year period. By developing a site‑specific retrieval model validated against in‑situ measurements, the study reveals marked nearshore–offshore differences in phytoplankton abundance and highlights how meteorological factors, such as temperature and wind speed, drive bloom formation. The findings underscore the potential for cost‑effective, high‑resolution satellite monitoring to support adaptive management of eutrophication in large freshwater systems. Ali Reza Shahvaran is a former MSc student and now a Geomatics Technician in ERG. Coauthors include Homa Kheyrollah Pour from the Remote Sensing of Environmental Change (ReSEC) Research Group, Wilfrid Laurier University, Caren Binding from Canada Centre for Inland Waters, ECCC and Philippe Van Cappellen from ERG.