ESTIMATION OF CHLOROPHYLL-A CONCENTRATION IN SAMPALOC LAKE USING UAS MULTISPECTRAL REMOTE SENSING AND REGRESSION ANALYSIS

Abstract. Sampaloc Lake is providing livelihood for the residents through aquaculture. An increase in the quantity of fish pens inside the lake threatens its water quality condition. One parameter being monitored is microalgal biomass by measuring Chlorophyll-a concentration. This study aims to generate a chlorophyll-a concentration model for easier monitoring of the lake. In-situ water quality data were collected using chl-a data logger and water quality meter at 357 and 12 locations, respectively. Using Parrot Sequoia+ Multispectral Camera, 1496 of 2148 images were acquired and calibrated, producing 18x18cm resolution Green (G), Red(R), Red Edge (RE) and Near Infrared (NIR) reflectance images. NIR was used to mask out non-water features, and to correct sun glint. The in-situ data and the pixel values extracted were used for Simple Linear Regression Analysis. A model with 5 variables – R/NIR, RE², NIR², R/NIR², and NIR/RE2, was generated, yielding an R² of 0.586 and RMSE of 0.958 μg/l. A chlorophyll-a concentration map was produced, showing that chl-a is higher where fish pens are located and lowers as it moves away from the pens. Although there are apparent fish pens on certain areas of the lake, it still yields low chlorophyll-a because of little amount of residential area or establishments adjacent to it. Also, not all fish pens have the same concentration of Chlorophyll-a due to inconsistent population per fish pen. The center of the lake has low chlorophyll-a as it is far from human activities. The only outlet, Sabang Creek, also indicates high concentration of Chlorophyll-a.