ORIGINAL RESEARCH
Applying Landsat Satellite Thermal Images
in the Analysis of Polish Lake Temperatures
Mariusz Ptak, Adam Choiński, Jan Piekarczyk, Tomasz Pryłowski
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Institute of Physical Geography and Environmental Planning, Adam Mickiewicz University,
B. Krygowskiego 10, 61-680 Poznań, Poland
Submission date: 2017-02-02
Final revision date: 2017-03-05
Acceptance date: 2017-03-12
Online publication date: 2017-08-28
Publication date: 2017-09-28
Pol. J. Environ. Stud. 2017;26(5):2159-2165
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ABSTRACT
This paper presents a comparative analysis of thermal images from Landsat satellites with in situ measurements of water temperature based on the example of three analysed lakes in Poland (Łebsko, Gardno, and Jamno). The coefficient of determination R2 in the first two lakes reached a value of 0.95, and in the third case 0.87. The obtained results suggest high coherence of both of the sources. Satellite data obtained with such coherence with in situ measurements can be considered to be of high quality. The fact opens a new chapter concerning continuous monitoring of surface temperature of lakes in Poland, which can be considerably expanded in comparison to the current state (the measurement network is currently constituted by several tens of relatively large lakes). The issue addressed in the paper refers to a dynamic development trend in research based on teledetection information. So far, however, such methodology has not been used for detailed research on lakes in Poland. The availability of information on thermal conditions in reference to a possibly high number of lakes is of key importance in the context of the observed climate changes and the resulting transformation of water ecosystems. Continuous monitoring offers a basis for the development of applicative solutions, potentially reducing the effects of global warming.