Dynamics of algal blooms in typical low-latitude plateau lakes: Spatiotemporal patterns and driving factors

The alpine lakes distributed on the plateau are crucial for the hydrological, and biogeochemical cycle, and also serve as a guarantee for regional economic development and human survival. However, under the influence of human interference and climate fluctuations, lakes are facing problems of eutrophication and subsequent algal blooms (ABs) with acceleration, and the development and driving factors of this phenomenon need to be considered as a whole. In this study, ten lakes located on the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau were selected as the study area to analyze the spatiotemporal distribution of ABs and possible controlling forces. The FAI (Floating Algae Index) derived from multiple MODIS products and water quality data under high-frequency monitoring were selected as the data sources for characterizing ABs. Three nutrient parameters and five meteorological variables were used to explore the driving factors affecting ABs. Various methods of trend detection and correlation analysis have been applied. The main results are as follows: (1) Dianchi Lake (in lake area) and Xingyun Lake (in area proportion) are the two lakes with the most serious ABs in the historical period; (2) ABs are mainly distributed on the shoreline and northern edge of lakes, and tend to stay away from the lake center during high-temperature periods of the day; (3) Six lakes show a decreasing trend in ABs, especially after 2018, while other lakes (including Fuxian, Chenghai, Yangzong, and Erhai) are increasing, not only in peak value but also in duration; (4) Lakes with severe ABs are all P-restricted lakes, the minimum temperature is the most sensitive meteorological factor, while the impact of precipitation against ABs has a time lag; (5) Establishing a warning system of temperature and nutrient concentration is critical in ABs adaptive strategy. This study is expected to provide scientific references for regional water management and the restoration of the eutrophic aquatic ecosystem. [Display omitted] •Lakes with serious eutrophication historically tend to be alleviated in recent years.•The significant growth of algae proportion in lakes with clean water is worth noting.•The sensitivity of nighttime temperature is the strongest among climate factors.•Precipitation has a lag effect on nutrient concentration in lakes.