Remote detection of cyanobacteria through phycocyanin for water supply source using three-band model

Accurate remote estimation of phycocyanin (PC) in turbid productive waters is challenging because of their optical complexity. This study aims to test the performance of three-band models (TBM) and two-band models (TWM), as well as optimal band models (OBM) for spectral estimation of PC concentration. The Eagle Creek Reservoir is one of the major drinking and recreational water systems for the Indianapolis metropolitan area and has been strongly affected by algal, particularly cyanobacterial blooms. A total of 222 effective samples collected under a diverse range of algal bloom and optical conditions in 15 field campaigns during 2006, 2007, 2008, and 2010 were used for testing different models. The TBM, using wavebands at approximately 630, 710, and 720nm, can explain 84%–93% of the PC concentration variability when applied to various datasets that were grouped in terms of different years or aggregated together. These TBMs can be used to estimate PC concentrations with RMSE ranging from 7.31 to 29.26μg/L. The results for the aggregated original, narrow band spectra, simulated MEdium Resolution Imaging Spectrometer (MERIS) and Hyperion spectra further indicate that TBM, TWM, and OBM can be used to estimate PC concentration with acceptable accuracy (0.60