Harmonic analysis of Lake Balaton phytoplankton blooms using 9 years of MERIS-derived chlorophyll-A

This study is the first application of harmonic analysis to remotely sensed chlorophyll-a concentration in lakes. Freshwater phytoplankton phenology can track the development of algal blooms in lakes. The dynamics of algal blooms in Lake Balaton is analyzed over 9 years by harmonic analysis of MERIS-derived chlorophyll-a estimates. An analysis of the significance of the individual harmonic terms at each significant frequency provides the amplitudes and phases. Four lake basins are analyzed and phenological indicators are presented. The basins show distinct algal bloom phenologies.