update Updated
Eutrophication is one of the main issues affecting the water quality of reservoirs and lakes, compromising sources of drinking water. One of its most concerning manifestations is Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs), which pose a significant risk due to their high toxicity, impacting human health and ecosystems. In addition to local causes such as deforestation, lack of regulation and land-use control, and wastewater discharge—phosphorus being the main driver of cyanobacterial biomass productivity in numerous reservoirs in Argentina—global temperature increases due to climate change further exacerbate this issue.
During the 2022-2023 period, the Development of a Geospatial System for Monitoring the Quality of Inland Water Bodies Intended for Potabilization project was carried out, funded by BID 4840/OC-AR under the Satellite Technology Development Program PROSAT II – ARGENTINA. The project aimed to significantly contribute to the development of tools for monitoring surface water quality using data from active, passive, and field remote sensors across different basins and regions of the country.
This type of development requires:
- Specific databases, extensive in both space and time, with high-quality data.
- Expertise in developing and validating satellite algorithms for water quality variables.
- Technical capacity and resources for designing monitoring campaigns and conducting field and laboratory measurements.
The project, conducted on 10 water bodies (natural lakes, reservoirs, and estuaries), focused on monitoring HABs, which affect key uses such as drinking water supply, recreational activities, and agriculture.
This initiative, coordinated by the National Water Institute, a scientific and technical body of the national government, involved the technical and operational participation of more than 10 governmental institutions and R&D centers.
The project’s results represent a significant advancement in the national development of remote sensing technological tools. The main beneficiaries are organizations involved in Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM), including basin authorities at interprovincial and international levels.
TO LEARN MORE
Instituciones Y Miembros Integrantes
PROPOSALS AND ACTIONS FOR THE REGIONAL SATELLITE MONITORING OF THE SURFACE WATER 0502-0568.pdf
Andrés RODRÍGUEZ
Project Manager, Argentina