Development and spatial distribution of an algal bloom in the Dead Sea: A remote sensing study

Abstract

LANDSAT images of the Dead Sea, collected in May 1991 and in April and June 1992, were analyzed to obtain spatial and temporal information on the development of a bloom of unicellular green halophilic algae Dunaliella parva and red halophilic Archaea. While the bacterial carotenoids did not produce a recognizable signal in the images, the presence of chlorophyll-containing algae in high densities in April 1992 was easily detected. The image obtained at the time of the onset of the bloom suggested that the algal bloom originated at the shallow areas near the shore of the lake, and was probably derived from resting cells that survived near the surface of the sediment. Information was also obtained on the mode of mixing of Dead Sea brines with freshwater from the Jordan River and from freshwater springs.