Spatio-Temporal Assessment Of Chlorophyll-A Dynamics In Lake Beyşehir Using Remote Sensing

This study investigates the spatiotemporal fluctuations of chlorophyll-a concentrations in Lake Beyşehir, Türkiye, focusing on the month of August 2021, triggered by environmental concerns following a significant algal bloom event. Utilizing four high-resolution Sentinel-2 MSI satellite images, the research applied the C2RCC neural network algorithm and Principal Component Analysis (PCA) to detect and analyze chlorophyll-a distribution patterns. Findings indicate consistently high chlorophyll-a concentrations, especially in central and coastal areas, with a notable upward trend from early to late August. Statistical evaluations, including measures of central tendency and dispersion, confirm increased consistency in chlorophyll-a readings over time. Historical NDCI data from 2017 to 2024 show a marked positive trend, suggesting long-term ecological shifts. Spatial transects and PCA composites further revealed variability hotspots, particularly in shallow and anthropogenically influenced shoreline zones. These results underscore the importance of remote sensing in lake monitoring and suggest that rising chlorophyll-a levels may be linked to climatic and land-use changes, necessitating ongoing observation for informed environmental management.