Remote sensing of diffuse attenuation coefficient of photosynthetically active radiation in Lake Taihu using MERIS data

With the simple model, the seasonal and spatial distributions of Kd(PAR) in Lake Taihu were studied using the MERIS measurements from 2003 to 2010. Our results show distinct seasonal, spatial, and wind driven, Kd(PAR) values in Lake Taihu. The highest and the lowest Kd(PAR) values were found in summer and in winter, respectively. The increase of Kd(PAR) in summer can be attributed to the phytoplankton blooms, and wind-driven sediment resuspension. Spatially, the Kd(PAR) values were high in the southern part and the lake center, and low Kd(PAR) in East Lake Taihu. Based on the MERIS derived Kd(PAR) values, a significant correlation was found between Kd(PAR) and wind speeds, suggesting a critical role of wind speeds in the Kd(PAR) variations in Lake Taihu.