Satellite observations of suspended particulate matter concentration in Lake Gaoyou in the past four decades

Suspended Particulate Matter (SPM) concentration stands as a pivotal determinant of water quality within lake ecosystems. However, comprehension of the enduring dynamics of SPM within lakes is severely hindered due to a shortage of long-term records. Our research has developed a robust remote sensing algorithm to retrieve the SPM concentration in Lake Gaoyou, situated in the lower reaches of the Huai River basin in China. The algorithm demonstrates commendable performance, with an uncertainty of 28.68%. Leveraging Landsat series sensors imagery, our investigation yields high spatial resolution SPM concentration maps, which first provide a four-decades record of the SPM distribution within Lake Gaoyou. Our findings unveil a significant annual reduction of 1.35 mg L−1 in SPM concentration over the past four decades. This notable decline is probably attributable to a series of ecological initiatives to enhancing the management of the eco-friendly within the basin. Furthermore, our research delineated the influence of environmental factors on the intra-annual SPM dynamics across distinct spatial domains, encompassing the natural inlet region, semi-obstructed inlet region and outlet areas within the lake The SPM concentration in the natural inlet region exhibits a conspicuous correlation with precipitation. Increased precipitation induces runoff within the basin, facilitating the transport of suspended solids and sediment into the lake, consequently augmenting SPM levels. Conversely, the semi-obstructed inlet and outlet areas are predominantly influenced by the wind field, with variations in SPM attributed to sediment resuspension caused by water mixing driven by wind forcing. Our research can be considered an important reference to the evaluation of the management of the lake over long periods.