Abstract

The Chilean north Patagonian lakes formerly called “Araucanian lakes” (38oS-41° S), were described originally as oligotrophic, nevertheless since 1978, a transition from oligotrophy to mesotrophy has been reported in some bays due to human intervention, such as towns and industrial activities. The aim of the present study was to analyze the temporal variations between five years in a north Patagonian lake comparing chlorophyll concentration with spectral properties based on LANDSAT ETM+ sensor. The results revealed significant direct correlation between chlorophyll concentrations with B2, B3. B4, B5 and B7 reflection bands. The multiple regression analysis revealed a direct association between chlorophyll concentrations with B4, and inverse with B5. The obtained results agree with observations for other Chilean north Patagonian lakes about chlorophyll increase in determined bays with human intervention, and the use of remote sensing techniques would be an optimal tool for study changes