Algal Blooms in Lakes in China Over the Past Two Decades: Patterns, Trends, and Drivers

Wang, Ying1; Feng, Lian1; Hou, Xuejiao2

2023-10-01

10.1029/2022WR033340

WATER RESOURCES RESEARCH   Impact Factor & Quartile

0043-1397

1944-7973

Many lakes in China suffer from algal bloom problems. However, the spatial and temporal distribution of lacustrine algal blooms at the national scale has not been well characterized. Here, we developed an automated algal bloom surface scums (hereafter referred to as algal bloom) detection algorithm for Moderate-Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) images based on a normalized floating algal index and the Commission on Illumination colorimetry system. This algorithm was then applied to 35,556 daily MODIS images acquired between 2003 and 2020 to hindcast the spatial and temporal dynamics of lacustrine algal blooms in 171 lakes in China. The results show that 103 (60.2%) of the examined lakes have been affected by algal blooms over the past two decades, and the bloom occurrence in 95 lakes showed an increasing trend. The prevailing increasing trends of algal blooms in Chinese lakes were also manifested by an earlier onset time and prolonged potential occurrence period. We found that approximately 80% of the historical algal blooms occurred under calm water surfaces (wind speed <3 m/s) and high temperatures (>16 degrees C), and we revealed positive correlations between bloom occurrence and fertilizer use. We further demonstrated that the increasing trends in algal blooms were highly linked to recent increases in air temperature. The results here not only highlight the severe lacustrine algal bloom problems in China but also provide important baseline information for lake management and restoration efforts for the government.

lake algal blooms eutrophication water quality MODIS China

SCI

English

First ; Corresponding

The authors thank NASA for providing the MODIS Level-1A data (via ). This study was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Nos. 42271322 and 41971304), the Shenzhen Science and Technology Innovation Committee (No. JCYJ20190809155205["42271322","41971304"] ; National Natural Science Foundation of China[JCYJ20190809155205559] ; Shenzhen Science and Technology Innovation Committee[KCXFZ20201221173007020] ; Shenzhen Science and Technology Program[2020ZDZX3006] ; Guangdong Provincial Higher Education Key Technology Innovation Project[23qnpy08]

Environmental Sciences & Ecology ; Marine & Freshwater Biology ; Water Resources

Environmental Sciences ; Limnology ; Water Resources

WOS:001086381400001

AMER GEOPHYSICAL UNION

ENVIRONMENT/ECOLOGY

Web of Science

1.Southern Univ Sci & Technol, Sch Environm Sci & Engn, Shenzhen, Peoples R China
2.Sun Yat Sen Univ, Sch Geospatial Engn & Sci, Guangzhou, Peoples R China

Wang, Ying,Feng, Lian,Hou, Xuejiao. Algal Blooms in Lakes in China Over the Past Two Decades: Patterns, Trends, and Drivers[J]. WATER RESOURCES RESEARCH,2023,59(10).

Wang, Ying,Feng, Lian,&Hou, Xuejiao.(2023).Algal Blooms in Lakes in China Over the Past Two Decades: Patterns, Trends, and Drivers.WATER RESOURCES RESEARCH,59(10).

Wang, Ying,et al."Algal Blooms in Lakes in China Over the Past Two Decades: Patterns, Trends, and Drivers".WATER RESOURCES RESEARCH 59.10(2023).