Use of satellite images to assess water quality in reservoirs used in public supply: with emphasis on chlorophyll a

• Grant number: 24/08719-9
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: September 01, 2024
• End date: August 31, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Sanitary Engineering - Water Resources
• Principal Investigator: Marcelo Luiz Martins Pompêo
• Grantee: Camilla Yamanaka
• Host Institution: Instituto de Biociências (IB). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Company: Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Instituto de Biociências (IB)
• Associated research grant: 20/11759-1 - A look at the quality of reservoir waters from 786 km of altitude: Sentinel 2 images, AP.PITE

Abstract

The scientific initiation fellow (SI) requested will develop the project titled "Use of satellite images in evaluating the water quality of reservoirs used for public supply: with an emphasis on chlorophyll-a," contributing to Subthemes 6.1 and 6.2 of the call for proposals. For the years 2021 and 2022, field collections are planned in at least three zones of each of the six reservoirs studied in the Cantareira System (SC), and each zone will be sampled at three collection stations, as repetitions of the zone. Therefore, 54 samples are planned for each collection period, with sampling on at least two dates: between April and September. The river, transition, and dam zones will be considered. At each collection station, the concentrations of chlorophyll-a, phycocyanin, and turbidity will be sampled in profile using Turner's C6, representing a solid database. The SI fellow will be responsible for verifying the relationship between the chlorophyll-a concentrations determined in the field by the spectrophotometric method and the number of cyanobacteria cells (Cyanos) with the estimated values of chlorophyll-a, phycocyanin, and turbidity obtained by the C6. With the images downloaded with dates close to the field collection dates and the 108 profiles with the C6 in hand, it will be possible to test and validate algorithms that allow estimating Cyanos and phycocyanin concentrations, expressed in thematic maps. The SI fellow will also participate in fieldwork and laboratory analyses, and it is expected that they will begin drafting at least one paper.