Work

Evaluating Eutrophication and Water Clarity on Lake Victoria’s Ugandan Coast Using Landsat Data

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Satellite remote sensing has emerged as a reliable and cost-effective approach for monitoring inland water quality, offering spatial and temporal advantages over traditional in situ methods. Lake Victoria, the largest tropical lake and a critical freshwater resource for East Africa, faces increasing eutrophication driven by nutrient inflows from agriculture, urbanization, and industrial activities. This study assessed the spatiotemporal dynamics of water quality along Uganda’s Lake Victoria coast by integrating field measurements (2014–2024) with Landsat 8/9 imagery. Chlorophyll-a, a proxy for algal blooms, and Secchi disk depth, an indicator of water clarity, were selected as key parameters. Cloud-free satellite images were processed using the Dark Object Subtraction method, and spectral reflectance values were correlated with field data. Linear regression models from single bands and band ratios showed strong performance, with adjusted R2 values of up to 0.88. When tested on unseen data, the models achieved R2 values above 0.70, confirming robust predictive ability. Results revealed high algal concentrations for nearshore and clearer offshore waters. These models provide an efficient framework for monitoring eutrophication, guiding restoration priorities, and supporting sustainable water management in Lake Victoria.

Source: Sustainability

DOI: 10.3390/su17209056

Authors: Moses Kiwanuka, Randy Leslie, Anthony Gidudu, John Peter Obubu, Assefa Melesse, Maruthi Sridhar Balaji Bhaskar

Institutions: Florida International University, Ndejje University, Makerere University, Ministry of Water and Environment

Language: English

Topic: Aquatic Ecosystems and Phytoplankton Dynamics

Subfield: Environmental Chemistry

Field: Environmental Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDGs: Clean water and sanitation, Climate action

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,896