Secchi Disk depth estimates using MERIS satellite data and a linear mixed effect model over Lake Simcoe, Canada

Lakes offer several economical, ecological, natural, and social benefits, the quality of which depend directly on their water quality. Conventional methodologies of assessing lakes´ water quality are expensive and limited. Remote sensing introduces new technologies for effective, accurate and more efficient water quality measurements. This paper utilizes MERIS and in-situ data to assess the water quality on Lake Simcoe, Canada, by specifically looking at Secchi Disk depth. A Linear Mixed Effect model was used as the regression method. There was a significant positive correlation between measured and predicted Log₁₀(SDD) (R²=0.78). Quality of water in Lake Simcoe has significantly deteriorated over the course of the past decade, with severe environmental and social impacts. Temporally, the highest and lowest average values for SDD were found in summer (1.13 m-20.03 m) and fall (0.78 m-28.67 m). Spatially, the SDD average value in the time period of study (2002-2011) was high in the northern east region, and low in the southern part (0.94 m-21.64 m).