Monitoring of green algal blooms in the Bay of Cádiz using optical techniques

Optical monitoring techniques are defined (Absorbance, Reflectance in situ, hand glider photographs, remote sensing) of green macroalgae blooms (Ulva spp.) They are present on intertidal inner Bay of Cadiz. Macroalgae show different optical properties such Absorbance and Reflectance. Those properties have defined and classified their spectral signature to differentiate them from other organisms on intertidal areas. Laboratory experiments and field work (in situ reflectance) have been decisive to establish the relationship between the number of layers of algae and NDVI (R2adj = 0.86, P <0.001), the biomass and NDVI (R2adj = 0.69, P <0.001) and the vegetation coverage and NDVI (R2adj = 0.61, P <0.01). Results were also obtained from vegetation coverage and NDVI for three treatments using three different sediment types (sand, mud, sandy mud) R2adj = 0.93, P <0.001 for sand; R2adj = 0.96, P <0.001 for mud; R2adj = 0.94, P