Applying Landsat Satellite Thermal Images in the Analysis of Polish Lake Temperatures

Abstract

One of the basic parameters of water ecosystems is temperature. Its value and distribution are of key importance for the course of biotic and abiotic processes occurring in rivers and lakes. The issue of correlations of thermal conditions with the above elements is discussed by various scientific disciplines [1][2][3][4]. Proper interpretation of the occurring correlations requires possibly detailed data concerning water temperature. Such information is collected in various ways, and covers, among other things, surface measurements [5] and measurements performed in deeper parts of waters [6].In the case of lakes in Poland, the history of measurements of water temperature dates back to the end of the 19th century [7]. Systematic observations of water temperature in lakes, however, commenced in the 1950s [8]. The measurements were coordinated by the State Hydrological-Meteorological Institute, which was later transformed into the Institute of Meteorology and Water Management (IMGW). Data concerning temperature refer to stationary (point) measurements of near-surface waters. The number of observation sites over the years has changed, partially due to frequent reorganisations Pol. J. Environ. Stud. Vol. 26, No. 5 (2017), 2159-2165 AbstractThis paper presents a comparative analysis of thermal images from Landsat satellites with in situ measurements of water temperature based on the example of three analysed lakes in Poland (Łebsko, Gardno, and Jamno). The coefficient of determination R 2 in the first two lakes reached a value of 0.95, and in the third case 0.87. The obtained results suggest high coherence of both of the sources. Satellite data obtained with such coherence with in situ measurements can be considered to be of high quality. The fact opens a new chapter concerning continuous monitoring of surface temperature of lakes in Poland, which can be considerably expanded in comparison to the current state (the measurement network is currently constituted by several tens of relatively large lakes). The issue addressed in the paper refers to a dynamic development trend in research based on teledetection information. So far, however, such methodology has not been used for detailed research on lakes in Poland. The availability of information on thermal conditions in reference to a possibly high number of lakes is of key importance in the context of the observed climate changes and the resulting transformation of water ecosystems. Continuous monitoring offers a basis for the development of applicative solutions, potentially reducing the effects of global warming.

Effect of Environmental Conditions and Morphometric Parameters on Surface Water Temperature in Polish Lakes

“…Current studies concerning lake water temperature in Poland [29][30][31] have not considered the effect of many factors (climatic, morphometric, hydrological) on its course and changes in a complex way. In order to fill this gap and investigate the most current conditions concerning the thermal regime of lakes in Poland, the objectives of this study were as follows:…”

Cold Waves in Poznań (Poland) and Thermal Conditions in the City during Selected Cold Waves

“…Analyses of the urban heat island based on teledetection data have been conducted among others in Brno [13], Kraków [14], Madrid [15], and Poznań [16]. Moreover, satellite teledetection data are increasingly frequently used for the analysis of lake surface temperature [17,18] and dates of the beginning of the vegetative season [19].…”

Evaluation of Methods for Estimating Lake Surface Water Temperature Using Landsat 8

“…Remote Sens. 2022, 14, 3839 3 of 22 obtained results revealed high cohesion with in situ measurements [35], encouraging a broader approach to the issue. Polish lakes already currently show a considerable increase in water temperature [29,36] that will continue to progress in the future [37,38].…”

“…No comprehensive research with the application of satellite images in reference to lake water temperature in Poland has been undertaken to date, although studies in the scope dynamically develop in different regions of the globe [31][32][33][34]. Polish research so far covers three lakes, and the obtained results revealed high cohesion with in situ measurements [35], encouraging a broader approach to the issue. Polish lakes already currently show a considerable increase in water temperature [29,36] that will continue to progress in the future [37,38].…”