Red Sea MODIS Estimates of Chlorophyll a and Phytoplankton Biomass Risks to Saudi Arabian Coastal Desalination Plants

摘要: Harmful algal blooms (HABs) and the high biomass associated with them have afflicted marine desalination plants along coastal regions around world. Few studies of HABs been conducted in Red Sea, where Saudi Arabian Sea coast provide drinking water for millions people. This study was from 2014 to 2015 assess potential using Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) remote sensing chlorophyll a (Chl a) or fluorescence line height (FLH) identify risks biofouling at these plants. Ship-based surveys phytoplankton were coastline offshore Jeddah, Al Shoaibah Qunfudhuh density populations any HAB species. showed low moderate concentrations phytoplankton, averaging 1800–10,000 cells L−1 2000–11,000 1000–20,500 Qunfudhuh. Sixteen different species potentially toxigenic identified through surveys. There good relationship between ship-based total counts monthly averaged MODIS Chl (R2 = 0.49, root mean square error (RMSE) 0.27 mg m−3) FLH 0.47, RMSE 0.04 mW m−2 µm−1 sr−1) values. Monthly average near shore obtained satellite imagery much higher areas (maximum about 1.3 than Jeddah 0.4 0.5 m−3, respectively). Chlorophyll generally highest months December March, producing other months. Concentrations decreased significantly, on average, April September. Long-term (2005–2016) values used delineate four statistically distinct zones differing across entire Sea. Sinusoidal functions representing variability fit each zone (RMSE 0.691 0.07 Zone 1 4). January annual amplitudes sinusoidal Zones 1–4. In general, greatest risk occurs during winter (Southern Sea), while are 2 (South Central negligible 3 (North Central) 4 (Northern).